Ten students will share in $20,000 as this year's Agricultural Education Scholarship winners. The students are the children of Foremost Farms USA dairy producer member-owners. Five graduating high school seniors and five college students have each been awarded $2,000 scholarships to put toward a variety of career studies in agriculture. The scholarships are funded by the Foremost Farms USA Charitable Foundation through employee fundraisers and special events.

High School

Trisha Blaser, Gillett, Wis., is a graduating senior at Oconto Falls High School, Oconto Falls. She is the daughter of members Roger and Karen Blaser. She has been active in FFA and 4-H, dance team, National Honor Society and has also exhibited dairy cattle at the county and state level. Tricia plans to attend Northcentral Technical College at Wausau, Wis., and study dairy science. She expects to graduate in 2011.

Eli Fred, Kewanna, Ind., is a graduating senior at Caston High School in Fulton, Ind. He is the son of members David and Julie Fred. Eli has been active in his church and has also been involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), FFA, basketball, National Honor Society, the Fulton County Youth Leadership Academy and Pathways to Leadership. He plans to attend Purdue University at West Lafayette, Ind., to study agricultural systems management. Eli plans to graduate in 2013.

Hillary Friendshuh, Clear Lake, Wis., is a graduating senior at Clear Lake High School. She is the daughter of member Brian Friendshuh and Victoria Robinson. Hillary has been active in FFA and has served as FFA President. She is All-Conference in volleyball and basketball, president of the National Honor Society and valedictorian of her senior class. Hillary plans to attend the University of Wisconsin- Madison to study agriculture education. She plans to graduate in 2013.

Rachel Kroeplien, Sheboygan Falls, Wis., is a graduating senior at Sheboygan Falls High School. She is the daughter of members James and Christine Kroeplien. Rachel has been active in FFA and has been elected FFA president and secretary. She is active in the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Sheboygan Falls Trap Team, 4-H, Horticulture Club and the Rhine/Plymouth Field and Stream Conservation Club. She has participated in several community activities including a middle school mentoring program, PALS. She has also won numerous awards and was named a delegate to the 4-H Citizenship Washington Focus Trip. Rachel plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-River Falls to study agriculture business. She plans to graduate in 2013.

Jackson Troxel, Hanna, Ind., is a graduating senior at La Crosse High School, La Crosse, Ind. He is the son of members Tom and LuAnn Troxel. Jackson is a 2009 Indy Star Academic All-Star, was winner of the NW Indiana Science and Engineering Fair Presidential Award and the 2009 Principals Leadership National Award. He is a 2009 Lilly Scholar and won the Porter County Conference Basketball Mental Attitude Award. He plans to attend Purdue University at West Lafayette, Ind., to study farm management. Jackson plans to graduate in 2013.

College

Thomas Statz, Loganville, Wis., will be a sophomore next fall at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, Fennimore, Wis., where he is studying agriculture/power equipment. Tom is the son of members Leon and Brenda Statz. Tom is a graduate of Reedsburg Area High School, Reedsburg, Wis. He has been involved in the Post Secondary Agriculture Student (P.A.S.) Conference and is interested in farming, restoring old tractors and hunting. He expects to graduate from Southwest Tech in 2010.

Aaron Schaffer, Fairbury, Ill., will be a sophomore next fall at Parkland College, Champaign, Ill., where he is studying agricultural business management. He is the son of members Lynn and Becky Schaffer. He is a graduate of Prairie Central High School, Fairbury, Ill. Aaron has been involved in the National Postsecondary Agriculture Student (P.A.S.) Conference. He plans to graduate from college in 2010.

Nicole Schaendorf, Allegan, Mich., will be a senior next fall at Michigan State University at East Lansing, Mich., studying agriculture/natural resources. Nicole is the daughter of members John and Connie Schaendorf. Nicole is a graduate of Hopkins Public High School, Hopkins, Mich. She currently serves as the Michigan Senior Dairy Ambassador, Vice President of Communications and Policy-College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Student Senate and is a member of Leadership in Environmental and Agricultural Fields (LEAF) Club. She is also active in her church and has traveled to weekend retreats and an alternative spring break program to Guatemala. Nicole has been on the dean's list for four semesters and is a recipient of several awards and scholarships including the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board scholarship through Dairy Management, Inc. She plans to work with event management and public relations for the agricultural industry upon graduation in 2010.

Patrick Maier, Waunakee, Wis., will be a junior next fall at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Platteville, Wis., studying agricultural business. He is the son of members Scott and Daun Maier. Patrick is a graduate of Waunakee High School. He has been a member of the dean's list and the UW-Platteville Honor Society and is also treasurer of the Agriculture Business Club. Patrick enjoys sports and hunting and is also working on his family's dairy farm. Patrick plans to graduate from UW-Platteville in 2010.

Jeremy Lueder, West Union, Iowa, will be a sophomore next fall at northeast Iowa Community College, Calmar, Iowa, studying dairy science. He is the son of members Dennis and Pam Lueder. Jeremy is a graduate of North Fayette High School, West Union. He has been active in the Dairy Science Club and earned first place in state proficiency at the State FFA Convention. Jeremy plans to graduate from college in 2010.