The Klussendorf Association and McKown Fund are excited to announce seven recipients of this year's $1,500 scholarships. These scholarships are presented annually to students in their first, second or third year at a two-year or four-year college or university in the United States or Canada majoring in dairy science, animal science, agri-business or other related majors that will develop the skills needed to pursue a career in the dairy industry.
Edwards, Papageorge and Raterink receive Klussendorf scholarships
Randy Edwards, a native of Hilmar, California, is one of three Klussendorf scholarship recipients. Edwards studies Dairy Science at Cal Poly where he is actively involved with the Cal Poly Dairy Club and Judging Team. After college, Edwards is looking forward to a career in the dairy industry, potentially in nutrition or genetics. Edwards's passion for the dairy industry started during his childhood. He has succeeded in cattle judging in FFA, state, and national competitions. Additionally, Edwards is the owner and herdsman for his own registered dairy heifer ranch with over thirty animals.
A native of Ogden, Utah and Pappy's Farm, Lacey Papageorge has been an active member of the dairy industry her whole life. Papageorge's favorite farm activity is working with the show cattle; she has taken on the responsibility of training, caring for, and showing at her county fair all the way to showing at World Dairy Expo. In addition to her showing, Papageorge has excelled within FFA and cattle judging. She has received FFA State Judging High Individual and Winning Team, her FFA Degree, and chapter FFA officer positions. She is also active in her county having served as the Weber County Dairy Ambassador, Show Superintendent, and Women's President. After graduation, Papageorge hopes to work within the dairy food and processing sector.
Kelly Raterink grew up on her family's farm, milking 75 Holsteins and raising replacement heifers. Raterink is also building her show string and hopes to take over the family farm someday, including upgrading and expanding the facilities. Her goal is to build a strong show cattle herd for exhibiting on the national level. Outside of her farm activities, she is currently a student at Michigan State University studying Animal Science with the goal of becoming a large animal veterinarian. Raterink has an illustrious history with dairy judging and quiz bowl contests, having won or placed highly throughout the Midwest. Her numerous leadership roles in 4-H, Michigan State Dairy Club, and the Michigan State Holstein Association have contributed to her career goals within the dairy industry.
McKown scholarships awarded to Davis, Haagen, Hardesty, and Horst
Elizabeth Davis, from Union Bridge, Maryland, is one of the awardees for the McKown scholarship. Davis was a member of the 2013 National Championship Virginia Tech Dairy Cattle Judging Team and was 2nd High Individual and was a Holstein USA Distinguished Junior Member semi-finalist. She serves as a chair in Alpha Zeta, VA Tech Dairy Club, and as a Hokie Ambassador for VA Tech. Davis is currently a sophomore at Virginia Tech, majoring in Dairy Science. Her aspiration is to contribute to the dairy industry through advancements in physiology. She will be interning as a herdsman for a 1,200 cow dairy operation.
Growing up on a small Holstein farm in Howard, Pennsylvania, Isaac Haagen has actively been a part of his farm operations. Haagen is particularly involved with the herd genetics, herd care, and show animals. Outside of his farm commitments, he attends Penn State University with aspirations of receiving his Master's Degree and Ph.D. in Animal Science. He is a member of the Dairy Science Club, Dairy Judging team, and serves as an Undergraduate Research Assistant. His accomplishments within the industry are numerous; he was a Holstein USA Distinguished Junior Member finalist and High Team and High Individual National Intercollegiate Judging Contest. Haagen hopes to mentor the next generation through 4-H and dairy judging. He will be an intern with Alta Genetics to gain greater experience in the AI industry.
David Hardesty grew up on a registered Holstein farm in Berryville, Virginia. His upbringing on the family farm has instilled his passion for the dairy industry and involvement with maintaining the herd. Hardesty is active outside his family farm as well with an accomplished history of dairy cattle judging and academic achievements. He placed 3rd High Individual in the World Dairy Expo 4-H Judging Contest and has competed internationally. His honors within school include college Dean's List, Pre-Vet Representative for a student organization, and National Honor Society. Hardesty now attends Bridgewater College with ambitions of becoming a large animal veterinarian.
Chad Horst is an accomplished breeder, judger, showman, and student from Newmanstown, Pennsylvania. As a student at Penn State University, Horst is active on campus through the Alpha Zeta fraternity and the Dairy Science Club; where he served as the Nittany Lion Fall Classic sale chair leading the chapter to a successful event. He will serve at the club President next. Horst has excelled in the showring, earning top 10 finishes at World Dairy Expo, receiving All-American placings for dairy judging at World Dairy Expo and National 4-H, even internationally where he was high individual at the Scottish Highlands International Contest. Coming from Lynncrest Holsteins, Horst is involved with all aspects of the farm, from crops to milking to the genetics program. His dairy experience, school activities, work ethic, and passion for the industry will help Horst accomplish his goals of maintaining a profitable dairy farm, strong breeding program, and a long career in the field. Horst will be a summer intern with ABS Global.
The Klussendorf scholarships are made available as a result of a gift from the late Klussendorf member Chris Kampf, who won the Klussendorf award in 1956. Monies raised by the McKown family and friends of the late Robert "Whitey" McKown, named an honorary Klussendorf member in 1997, make up the funds available for the McKown Scholarship. The Arthur B. Klussendorf Memorial Association honors those who most nearly exemplify the character and ethics of this late, legendary showman and dairy cattle fitter.
For more information about the individuals being recognized or tickets for the National Dairy Shrine Awards Banquet, contact Executive Director Dr. David Selner at info@dairyshrine.org.
6.23.2014