The Wisconsin Holstein Association will award $18,000 in scholarships to 21 outstanding youth. Scholarships are awarded to members studying agriculture or related fields at a two-year or four-year university or technical college. These outstanding members will receive their scholarships at the 2019 Wisconsin Junior Holstein Convention, to be hosted by Sheboygan County in Sheboygan, Wis.

Matthew Grossman of Pittsville will receive the $1,000 Gordon Berg Memorial Scholarship. Berg was a longtime Wisconsin Holstein member and Holstein breeder from Brownsville. This scholarship is awarded to a student enrolled in a technical college, two-year or short course agricultural program. Grossman is the 17-year-old son of Scott and Candy Grossman. He graduated from Pittsville High School and plans to study agribusiness, science technology and diesel mechanics at Mid-State Technical College this fall.

Abigail Solum of Rice Lake will receive the $1,000 Doris Morris Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is in honor of Morris, a longtime Wisconsin Holstein member. Morris, her husband, Arden, and Arden’s brother Maldwyn and his wife, Inez, owned and operated Arwyn Farms in Waukesha County for over 40 years. Solum is the 19-year-old daughter of Wayne (Chuck) and Cathleen Solum. She is a freshman at University of Wisconsin-River Falls studying food science and technology. Upon graduation, Solum plans to seek a career in the food industry working with product development and research while continuing to grow her registered Holstein herd.

Receiving the $1,000 Bradley Fust Memorial Scholarship is Emma Gwidt of Pulaski. This scholarship is given in memory of Fust, an enthusiastic member of the Junior Holstein Association from Wausau. The scholarship was established by his parents, Brian and Wendy Fust, with the sale of one of his heifers. Gwidt is the 19-year-old daughter of David and Dyan Gwidt. She is a freshman at UW-Madison, where she is studying dairy science. Gwidt hopes to work at a reproduction and genetics company out of college with plans on returning home and becoming a partner in her family farm.

Dawson Nickels of Watertown will receive the $1,000 John Klossner Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship honors Klossner, who was a member of the Green County Junior Holstein Association and served on the Wisconsin Junior Holstein Junior Activities Committee. This scholarship was established by Klossner’s parents, Richard and Roxanne Klossner, for a student who is considered a role model to other junior members. Nickels is the 18-year-old son of Thomas and Penni Nickels. He is a freshman at UW-Madison studying dairy science. Upon graduation, Nickels plans to work in dairy genetics or as a herd manager in production agriculture.

McKenna Coffeen of De Pere will receive the $1,000 John Selz Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship fund was established in honor of Selz of Humbird. Selz managed his family farm, Selz Farm, which was in his family for over 125 years. He was an active Wisconsin and National Holstein Association member in various capacities for numerous years. Coffeen is the 18-year-old daughter of Kevin and Peggy Coffeen and Kori Coffeen. She is a freshman studying dairy science at UW-River Falls. Coffeen plans to further her education and become a large-animal veterinarian.

Receiving the $1,000 Marlowe Nelson Memorial Scholarship is Rachel McCullough of Juda. This scholarship is given in memory of Nelson, whose passion was to teach and mentor young enthusiastic breeders to become more involved in the registered Holstein business. Through his lifetime, Nelson paved the way in many aspects of the registered Holstein breed and its impact on the United States, Japan, Germany and Holland. McCullough is the 18-year-old daughter of Chris and Kathie McCullough. She graduated from Juda High School and will attend UW-Madison Farm and Industry Short Course with plans to return to the home farm.

Allie Breunig of Sauk City will receive the $1,000 Maurice and Geraldine Cooper Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is given in memory of the Coopers, who were lifelong Holstein breeders from Moss Oak Farm. Love of family, Holsteins, service to the community and support of youth activities were paramount in their lives. Breunig is the 19-year-old daughter of Mitch and Jacquie Breunig. She is a sophomore at UW-Madison studying life sciences communication. Upon graduation, Breunig plans to pursue a job in the agriculture industry as a marketing specialist.

An additional 14 Wisconsin Holstein Junior members will receive scholarships: Brandon Biese of Chilton, Emma Buss of Platteville, David Foerster of Oostburg, Madelynn Gwidt of Pulaski, Carmen Haack of Algoma, Michael Moede of Algoma, Julia Nunes of Chippewa Falls, Marcus Schroepfer of Birnamwood, Connor Siemers of Newton, Ryan Smith of Monticello, Dylan Steiner of Juda, Zach Tolzman of Dodgeville, Hannah Ullom of Bloomer and Eric Wachtendonk of Bloomer.

Source: Wisconsin Holstein Association