The American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA) has awarded 12 Jersey youth over $31,000 in scholarships for the 2020-21 school year. Selection was based on scholastic achievement as well as participation in Jersey and other agricultural activities.

Two Russell Memorial Scholarships were awarded in memory of the late William A. Russell. The first scholarship, the William A. Russell Memorial Scholarship, was established in his name in 1977 and is designated for students who have completed high school and are beginning their university studies. The second, the Russell-Malnati Scholarship for Advanced Studies, was established to honor the late J. J. “Doc” Malnati of Bush River Jerseys, Newberry, S.C. The recipients were Caroline C. Arrowsmith, Peach Bottom, Pa., and Jessica Marie Hanson, Ulysses, Kan.

Arrowsmith is a freshman at Pennsylvania State University majoring in animal science with a dairy focus. She received a $2,750 award. Hanson received $5,000 to continue her education at the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

The Jack C. Nisbet Scholarship is awarded to a participant in the National Jersey Youth Achievement contest. It was created in 1965 to honor the AJCA’s seventh Executive Secretary, who served the organization from 1943-1947. This year’s recipient was Lydia Rose Chittenden, Schodack Landing, N.Y.

Chittenden is a sophomore at State University of New York (SUNY)-Cobleskill. She is majoring in animal science with a focus on dairy. She plans to transfer to Cornell University next fall to earn her bachelor’s degree. Her scholarship award was $2,750.

The V.L. Peterson Scholarship is awarded to youth who have completed at least one year of college. It commemorates “Vic” Peterson, the dean of Jersey area representatives, and was established in 1972. The scholarship is available to students who have completed at least one year of college. Colin R. Wussow, Cecil, Wis., was this year’s recipient.

Wussow is a junior at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls majoring in agriculture business and minoring in dairy science and crop science. He received an award of $2,750.

The Paul Jackson Memorial Scholarship is also awarded to youth who have completed at least one year of college. This award was created in 1965 to honor Paul Jackson’s service to the Jersey breed, which spanned more than half a century. The 2020 winner was Meghan Jo Hettinga, Orange City, Iowa.

Hettinga is a junior at South Dakota State University studying dairy production with a minor in communications. This year’s scholarship award was for $2,000.

The Cedarcrest Farms Scholarship was established in 1999 and has been funded by the sale of a bull at two of the Cedarcrest sales. It is awarded to a student pursuing large animal veterinary medicine, dairy production, dairy manufacturing or dairy product marketing. Undergraduate and graduate students are both eligible for the award. This year’s recipient was Mary Elizabeth Holtz, Maquoketa, Iowa.

Holtz just began her first year at Iowa State University where she plans to study to become a large animal veterinarian. She received an award of $2,250.

In 2003, the Bob Toole Youth Award was established to honor the lifelong enthusiasm Bob Toole felt for the Jersey cow.

The award is given to a young person who seeks formal education or practical experience related to the breeding, developing and showing of Jerseys. Gracelyn “Gracie” Jane Krahn, Albany, Ore., was named this year’s award recipient.

A freshman at Linn Benton Community College, Krahn is currently taking her general education classes. She plans tot transfer to Oklahoma State University next fall where she will major in agriculture communications and animal sciences with a dairy emphasis and minor in agriculture business. She received $2,000 for her educational endeavors.

In 2005, with special encouragement from the late Donnie Sherman in his role as president, the AJCA leadership established a long-range goal of increasing scholarship funds. A young bull bred by Sherman, D&E Rebel Scholar {6}-ET, was syndicated in The All American Jersey Sale, with all proceeds from his sale and future royalties earmarked for the AJCA Educational, Youth Activities and Special Awards Fund. This scholarship—called the AJCA Directors’ Scholarship—was awarded for the first time in 2016. Joshua “Josh” David Seals, Tillamook, Ore., received this year’s scholarship.

Majoring in agriculture science and animal science, Seals is a sophomore at Eastern Oregon University. He received $2,500 from the fund.

The Morris B. Ewing ABS Genetic Performance Scholarship is awarded annually to a junior or senior undergraduate student seeking a career in genetics, dairy production, large animal veterinary medicine or milk marketing. It honors the dedicated efforts of the long-time sire analyst to improving the productivity and profitability of Jersey cows and Jersey genetics. The award includes a copy of Ewing’s autobiography, A Time with Jerseys. The 2020 recipient was Katarina Lee Emerich, Mooers, N.Y.

Emerich is majoring in agribusiness with a concentration in agribusiness marketing and a minor in animal science at Purdue University. Her award was $3,250.

A generous contribution from Dr. Joe Lineweaver and his wife Beverly established The Lineweaver Scholarship for students who have completed at least one year at an accredited four-year college/university in a dairy science, animal sciences or dairy products department. Selection is based on financial need, leadership skills and academic performance. It may be automatically renewed twice or until completion of the recipient’s undergraduate degree (whichever comes first) provided eligibility requirements are met, continuing financial need exists, and academic performance is maintained. Kathryn Marie Bosley, Malone, N.Y., received this year’s scholarship award.

Bosley attends SUNY-Cobleskill where she is a senior working to obtain a bachelor’s degree in animal science and an associate’s degree in dairy production and management. Her award is $3,500.

The Anne E. Perchard Challenge Award recognizes the accomplishments, abilities and leadership potential shown to date by the recipient and challenges them to achieve their potential through continued participation in Jersey activities. It was made possible by a bequest from the late Anne Perchard of St. Martin, Jersey, Channel Islands, an independent entrepreneur who built La Ferme, the largest dairy herd in Jersey, with her sons. This year’s recipient was Catherine Tess Savage, Dickerson, Md.

Savage is finishing her final semester at Virginia Polytechnic State University where she majored in dairy science with dual minors of agribusiness and animal and poultry sciences. She received a cash award of $350.

The Cowles Educational Fund was established as a tribute to North Carolina Jersey breeder Reuben R. Cowles for his dedication to the Jersey breed. He served as a director of the AJCA and received the Distinguished Service Award in 1977. He was known as Mr. Jersey in the southeast and was instrumental in developing All-Jersey milk markets. The 2020 recipient of Reuben R. Cowles Youth Educational Award was Sydney Renee Brady, Cleveland, Tenn.

A freshman at Middle State University, Brady is majoring in animal science and agriculture. She was awarded $2,500.

Scholarship winners were recognized at the Youth Award Ceremony held in Louisville, Ky., November 8, 2020. The Youth Award Ceremony is held in conjunction with All American Jersey activities in Louisville including the All American

Open and Junior Jersey shows, the All American Sale, Pot O’ Gold Sale.

Applications for 2021-2022 Jersey Youth Scholarships will be accepted from April 1 through July 1, 2021, and forms will be available closer to the deadline on the USJersey website. For more information, contact Kim Billman, Director of Communications, at info@usjersey.com or by phone at 614.322.4451.

The American Jersey Cattle Association, organized in 1868, compiles and maintains animal identification and performance data on Jersey cattle and provides services that support genetic improvement and greater profitability through increasing the value of and demand for Registered Jersey™ cattle and genetics, and Jersey milk and milk products. For more information on the association’s complete line of services for dairy business owners, visit the website at www.USJersey.com or connect at Facebook.com/USJersey.