Three students have earned $7,500 in scholarships from Dairy MAX. Nicole Koke of Dublin, Texas, Mike Schilderink of Hart, Texas, and Jagger Dinis of Wiggins, Colorado, each received a $2,500 scholarship from the organization to apply toward this fall’s college tuition.
Marty McKinzie, Dairy MAX’s vice president of industry image and relations, said the scholarship program is one of their most worthwhile investments.
“Dairy farm families rely on the strength of their community,” McKinzie said. “By continuing our commitment to higher education, but opening up the requirements for degree programs, Dairy MAX continues to better serve the dairy farm families and their communities within our region, increasing impact and further strengthening the positive role dairy has beyond the fridge.”
Scholarships are awarded based on a combination of scholastic achievement, leadership and involvement in agriculture. This year the William “Bill” Wailes Memorial Scholarship, formerly with Colorado State University, was brought under the Dairy MAX scholarship program to expand support of the next generation of leaders throughout the region. This has allowed Dairy MAX to now offer a total of three $2,500 scholarships.
Now in its 13th year, the Dairy MAX scholarship program has awarded more than $60,000 in higher education funds to hard-working students. Beyond their professional careers, previous recipients have a long history of making their voices heard and putting issues directly impacting farm families in the spotlight.
“Dairy farmers have a passion not only for their land and cows, but also the community,” McKinzie said. “Supporting future industry and community leaders through this scholarship program is a great way to invest in the future success of dairy farmers and rural communities.”
To be eligible for Dairy MAX scholarships, students must be a graduating high school senior, or undergraduate student and child of a dairy producer, child of a dairy farm employee, or FFA or 4-H dairy show participant in their junior or senior year of high school.
The Dairy MAX scholarship application will re-open January of 2020.
