That time of year where young people will be parading across stages and accepting their diplomas at various podiums across the land. It’s graduation day!
It the day these young people have worked hard for to accept their degree and head out into the workforce to forge a career. “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education.” -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
And so, congratulations to those folks who passed the grade and made the muster.
The Ogle County Farm Bureau recently awarded ten scholarships totaling $19,000 to students in Ogle County who will be graduating high school, or are enrolled at an accredited University or College
Kendall and Kade Boatman, both graduating this spring from Byron High School, were awarded scholarships. Kade was the recipient of the Don Bybee Memorial Scholarship sponsored through the generosity of the Bybee Family to honor Mr. Bybee for his many years of service to agriculture in Ogle County.
Kendall was awarded the Del Flessner Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship was created to honor the legacy of long-time Ogle County Farm Bureau Manager, Del Flessner. Both scholarships are in the amount of $2,000.
Both will be attending Lake Land College in the fall studying Ag Business. Kade and Kendall are the sons of Tom and Tammy Boatman, Rockford.
Braden Rogers and Blakelynn Swanson were named winners of the $2,000 General Farm Bureau Scholarship.
Braden is the son of Anthony and Michelle Rogers, Chana. He graduated from Stillman Valley High School last year and is currently studying Civil Engineering at the University of Wisconsin Platteville.
Blakelynn graduated Stillman Valley High School in 2023 and is currently studying Agribusiness through Colorado State. Her parents are Matthew and Michele Swanson, Stillman Valley.
Levi Eden is the recipient of the Mark Detig Memorial Scholarship awarded in the amount of $2,000. This scholarship honors the late Mark Detig for his service to the Ogle County Pork Producers Association and Ogle County agriculture.
Levi is a graduate from Oregon High School and plans to attend University of Wisconsin Stevens Point majoring in Wildlife Ecology and Management. His parents are Mark and the late Lisa Eden.
Nicholas Cassens, son of John and Diane Cassens, Byron is the Ag Technology Scholarship winner. Nicholas will be graduating Byron High School and has been accepted from various universities and plans to study Ag Engineering. The scholarship is awarded in the amount of $2,000.
Brooklynn Strohecker is the recipient of the $2,000 Mary LeFevre Memorial Scholarship, sponsored in cooperation between the Farm Bureau and the Jeff and Joyce Tremble Family. The scholarship focuses on students pursuing a nursing career. Brooklynn plans to study nursing in Rockford.
Mazy Queckboerner was awarded the George LeFevre Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $2,000. It also is funded with the cooperation of the Jeff and Joyce Tremble Family, recognizing Mr. Lefevre for his lifelong service to Ogle County agriculture. Mazy will be graduating Polo High School and will study Ag Business at Iowa State University.
Gracie Prose was awarded the Susan Young Memorial totaling $2,000. This scholarship was made possible by Ms. Young’s estate through a generous donation to the Ogle County Farm Bureau.
Gracie is a 2023 graduate of Oregon High School and is currently attending University of Wisconsin Platteville majoring in Agribusiness. She is the daughter of Nick Prose, Oregon.
Allissa Martin is the recipient of the $1,000 Stan Eden 4-H Memorial Scholarship. She is the daughter of Skyler and Annette Martin. Allissa is a 2024 graduate of Oregon High School and currently is studying at Kishwaukee Community College.
This marks the 27th year that the Ogle County Farm Bureau has awarded scholarships to member dependents who seek to pursue course studies in agriculture at an accredited institution of higher education.
Scholarships will again be awarded in 2026 and applications will be available in January. For information on the Ogle County Farm Bureau Scholarship Program contact me at 732-2231.
Ron Kern is the manager of the Ogle County Farm Bureau.
