The National Dairy Herd Information Association (DHIA) Scholarship Committee selected 24 high school seniors and college students as recipients of $750 scholarships. Judges evaluated applicants on scholastic achievements, leadership in school and community activities, and responses to DHI- and career-related questions. To be eligible for a National DHIA scholarship, applicants must be a family member or employee of a herd on DHI test, a family member of a DHI employee, or an employee of a DHI affiliate. The DHI affiliate for the herd or affiliate employee must be a National DHIA member.
This year’s National DHIA scholarship winners are: Karen Anderson, Lester Prairie, Minnesota; Craig Barta, Faribault, Minnesota; Sara Bechtel, Martinsburg, Pennsylvania; Hillary Breene, West Greenwich, Rhode Island; Cassandra Chittenden, Schodack Landing, New York; Erin Daninger, Forest Lake, Minnesota; Zachary Guggenbiller, Ft. Recovery, Ohio; Adam Hardie, Lansing, New York; Marjorie Hardy, Farmington, Maine; Cassandra Hulstein, Edgerton, Minnesota; Briar Jeg, Chehalis, Washington; Stephanie Kasper, Owatonna, Minnesota; Nicole Klein, Lake City, Minnesota; Nathan Laska, Winona, Minnesota; Jacob Lester, Glade Spring, Virginia; Jessica Mras, Whitney Point, New York; Emilie Mulligan, Avon, New York; Michael Schmitt, Rice, Minnesota; Roxanne Seltzer, Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania; Tom Sheehan, Rochester, Minnesota; Kelton Splett, Almena, Wisconsin; Meghan Vaill, Vernon, New York; Lauren Woloohojian, West Greenwich, Rhode Island; and Britney Zondlak, Byron Center, Michigan (Joe Drexler winner).
This year marks the third consecutive year for awarding a scholarship in memory of Joe Drexler, who worked for NorthStar Cooperative DHI Services. NorthStar members and employees, friends and family contributed more than $8,000 to establish this scholarship fund.
Money generated from the annual National DHIA Scholarship Auction primarily funds the organization’s scholarship program. Investments and donations also help build the fund. To make a donation to the fund, contact National DHIA Scholarship Committee Chair Barb Roth at (616) 897-7435 or National DHIA Communications and Events Manager JoDee Sattler at (608) 848-6455, ext. 112. PD
—From National DHIA news release