2024 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Tanner is a May 2023 graduate from Centralia High School in Centralia, Mo. with a 3.333 GPA and 23 ACT. Tanner plans to study Welding Technology at the State Technical College of Missouri in Linn, Mo. From there, he plans to use his degree to pursue a job in a related industry.

Extracurricular Activities: Baseball 2020-2023; Basketball 2019-2023; Football 2019-2022; and FFA-Sentinel-Sophomore year 2019-2022.

Honors and Awards: Academic Letter Freshman year.

Community/Service Activities: Tanner is a member of Parkview Christian Church and Parkview Christian Church Youth Group.

Work Experience: Tanner is employed as a custodian.  He works 10 hours during the school year and 45 hours during the summer.

Tanner helps whenever needed on his family’s hobby farm. He has helped build fences, helped with herding cattle, mowed pastures and helped his mother give shots to calves, heifers and cows. They sell the bull calves or steers instead of keeping them. He has helped haul hay for a friend to earn money.

Tanner wants to be a recipient because of the many people he knows in the industry. Most of them have given a lasting impression on him that he tries to recreate with others. One of these members is his dad who he looks up to a lot. His dad has shown him what it means to provide for a family. Tanner has found working with his hands is a great way to stay on task for him and wants to pursue a job in the welding related industry. Tanner is appreciative of being selected for this honor.

Tanner’s high school counselor appraised Tanner as authentic, outgoing, personable, and trustworthy. Tanner was recommended as a hard worker who has explored all his options and has selected the best option for him. With this confidence in his future, he will without doubt be successful. Tanner has worked hard to achieve good grades and contribute to his community and school. This financial support would help him achieve his post-secondary goals.

Ben Engemann is a student at State Fair Community College in Sedalia majoring in Agribusiness to use through farming and helping at the family concrete plant and help him understand how to run a business in his career. In addition, Ben recently got his CDL. Ben has a college GPA of 3.78. Ben was a May 2022 graduate from Hermann High School in Hermann, Mo. with a 3.7 GPA and 19 ACT.

Extracurricular Activities: Ben is a current member of the SFCC Shooting Sports and Ag Club.

Ben was a highly involved member of FFA from 2018 to 2022. He was a member of the National Honor Society 2021-2022 and a member of the Student Council 2018-2019. Ben was a member in 4-H Big Springs Busy Beavers showing animals and items at the fair from 2009-2015.

Honors and Awards: Through SFCC Shooting Sports, Ben will participate in the National Competition. In Ag Club Ben has qualified for nationals in March 2023 in job interviews.

In FFA, Ben was on a sixth place nationally ranked farm management team and second in state for ag mechanics. Ben also qualified for state in his proficiency area.

Community/Service Activities: Ben is a member of the St. George Catholic Church and helps set up for events they hold to help out the church. Ben volunteers his time to get ready for the changing seasons in the church community by helping decorate and clean the church. Ben has ushered at Mass on the weekends, and he also helps with church fundraisers and participates in them.

Work Experience: Ben works on the family farm as his job.  When he is at home on the weekends and after school, he helps his dad with the beef cattle and row crop operation. Ben recently got his CDL so he will be spending more time doing some trucking and ready-mix hauling in Montgomery City, Mo.

Ben’s family have been MDTA members for a long time and he attended the MDTA conventions at a young age. He is active in school and community and his grades are good. Ben is a hard worker and wants to be a MDTA member as well.

Ben wants to be a recipient because he can see himself as being a member of MDTA. This scholarship will also help him financially in school with books and housing fees. 

The school counselor recommended Ben for the scholarship as he is deserving of getting help in reaching his goals. He is a great student who continues to challenge himself academically. He is a model student who shows great character and determination. His leadership qualities include responsible, kind, caring, determined and very self-driven. 

Gabriella currently attends Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo. majoring in accounting with an overall GPA of 3.55. She is a 2020 graduate from Hermann High School in Hermann, Mo. with a 4.11 GPA and was sixth in rank.

Extracurricular Activities: Gabriella is a member of Delta Sigma Pi (Fall 2020-Present), a professional business fraternity, where she was the Vice President of Community Service. She was the chair for Junior Achievement for the organization for a year. Gabriella is a member of Alpha Sigma Gamma (Fall 2021-Present), which is a service sorority, where the goal is to serve the Kirksville community. She was the chair for the Breast Cancer Awareness week in the fall of 2022. While in high school, Gabriella was a Member of St. George Catholic Church; Student Council Treasurer (2020); Future Business Leader of America (2016-2020); National Honors Society (2017-2020); Future Farmers of America (2016-2018); Distributive Educational Club of America (2018-2019); Varsity H (2018-2020); Ignite Mentor Program (2020); A+ Program (2016-2020); Volleyball (2016-2019).

Honors and Awards: Gabriella has received the Presidents Leadership Award from Truman State University. While in high school, Gabriella was inducted in the National Honors Society in 2017; Future Business Leaders of America: 5th place Accounting II, advancing to State (2020); Volleyball; Academic All-Conference (2018, 2019), Academic All-State (2018, 2019); Future Farmers of America: 1st place conduct of Chapter meetings, districts (2017).

Community/Service Activities: When at school, Gabriella is actively involved in service activities through both of her school organizations, Delta Sigma Pi and Alpha Sigma Gamma. Some of those activities include highway clean ups, picking up trash at local parks, visiting the local nursing home and going to the humane society. When at home she does service through her church parish by singing in the church choir.

During her high school years, Gabriella was involved in various church activities such as fish fries, children’s liturgy, and cleaning the church; middle school volleyball assistant coach; raked leaves for the Serve St. Louis Organization; worked at a soup kitchen in St. Louis; National Honor Society volunteer activities such as Special Olympics, trash pick-up, Read Across America Day, and blood donation fundraisers.

Work Experience: Gabriella is currently working as a business office assistant ten hours a week. She did a second summer and winter internship with Jonesburg State Bank that helped her grow More in her accounting degree and banking knowledge.

Gabriella also enjoys helping and working on the family farm.  She loves to work with cattle, so any time that she can come home and be in that environment that is what she does.

Gabriella wants to be a recipient of the scholarship because it would help her achieve her long-term goals and future plans. By furthering her education in accounting and business, she can work toward her career goals in this field.  Her career goal is to work in private accounting, but she is not certain what kind of company she wants to pursue.  She has enjoyed banking, but this summer she plans to get a different internship so she can start figuring out what it is that she really enjoys within her accounting major.

In 2020, the Hermann High School counselor whole-heartedly endorsed her by stating Gabriella is a conscientious student with an incredible work ethic. Gabriella is a leader in multiple activities at the high school. She leads in a quiet but confident manner. She is well respected by both peers and adults. Gabriella will use this scholarship to further her education. She will be a good steward of the contribution to her education by finishing what she starts.

Kaylee is a May 2023 graduate from South Shelby High School in Shelbina, Mo. with 3.968 GPA and 25 ACT. Kaylee plans to attend the University of Missouri-Columbia to study accounting to become an accountant.

Extracurricular Activities: FFA (4 years), Assistant Officer (2019-2021); Future Business Leaders of America (4 years); National Honor Society (2 years), Treasurer; Student Council (2 years); Environmental Club (1 year), Treasurer; Class Treasurer (4 years); Ladybirds Basketball (4 years); Softball (2 years); Track (3 Years).

Honors and Awards: Principal’s Honor Roll (every semester; FFA Greenhand and Chapter Awards; CCC Academic Scholar Award (every year); Top of the Class: Health, Ag Science 1, Pre-Calc Trig and LA III.

Community/Service Activities: Kaylee is involved in Shelby County Food Pantry; Shelby County Fair Concessions; and Shelbina Lion’s Club Concessions.

Work Experience: Kaylee has worked eight hours a week at Leo O’Laughlin, Inc. as an accounting intern since August 2022 to present entering bills into accounting software, maintaining deposit records, filing papers and recording incoming and outgoing shipments. Kaylee has been a lifeguard at Shelbina Aquatic Center in the Summer 2022. Kaylee was an intern at Hunters Pursuit (family business): taking inventory, managing food plots, research/recording effectiveness of different products for deer nutrition, outdoor land maintenance, assembling deer stands; mowing; and raising chickens.

Kaylee applied for the scholarship because it would give her a head start financially as she furthers her education after high school. Accounting has always been a dream of hers and with the help of the scholarship, she will be one step closer to achieving her goal of becoming an accountant.

Kaylee’s high school counselor appraised Kaylee as hardworking, motivated and has attention for detail. She is a leader in the classroom as well as academics. Kaylee is a leader who doesn’t look for accolades. If you need something done and done right, Kaylee is the person to ask. I have no doubt she will be just as successful in college. Post secondary education is expensive! Kaylee knows the value of a dollar and how scholarships can help her not go into debt!

Abbey Hunt is a double major at Drury University and Cox College of Nursing in Springfield, Mo. with Bachelor’s in Health Science with a minor in Psychology. In her senior year, she is working towards a BSN, RN. She has a 3.3 GPA. Abbey was a 2020 graduate from Warrenton High School, Warrenton, Mo.

Extracurricular Activities: Abbey is a member of Zeta Tau Alpha and has held positions such as academic chair, apparel chair, helped coordinate philanthropy events, been on nominating committee and now serves on our judicial chair.  In high school, Abbey participated in the Yearbook: Writing/Grammar, Editor/Management.

Community/Service Activities: Abbey has participated in many philanthropy events and has done service hours such as hosting a bingo night for a local homeless shelter, street cleans and promoting breast cancer education and awareness. During high school, Abbey participated at German Festival.

Work Experience: Kaylee is employed as a server and works 25-35 hours per week. In addition, since she lives at school and not at home, she helps her sorority and cleans weekly there as well as her own apartment. During high school, Abbey worked 25 hours per week as a server. Abbey helped clean at home.

Abbey wants to be a recipient of the scholarship because it would be a big help in finishing her last year of school. She is working on a double major. It has been a hard but rewarding experience. She has taken classes every summer to keep up with academics, as well as being in a sorority and holding positions such as apparel chair, academic chair, nominating committee, and their judicial committee. They have helped her grow and learn how to work with others and make hard decisions for the well-being of her chapter. Upon graduation after getting her BSN, RN, Abbey hopes to work in a pediatric setting with children who have cancer. 

Abbey believes nursing school and her sorority have helped her grow and mature to set the basis for the skills she needs to thrive upon graduation. She has finished the classes needed for her first bachelors and minor before she starts her internship of three 12 hour shifts weekly at the hospital.  She has worked extremely hard to have a senior status in short  three years while still keeping up with work and a social life. Abbey believes her hard work has paid off and she would be honored to receive the scholarship.

Abbey’s high school counselor states Abbey had respect for peers, had above average communication skills and a strong work ethic.

Ashley Pullen is a student at the University of Missouri in Columbia with a 3.948 cumulative GPA. Her course of study is Health Science with a leadership and policy emphasis with a minor in Business. She plans to work in administration/business aspects of healthcare. Ashley was a 2021 graduate from Warrenton High School, Warrenton, Mo. Ashley had a 28 ACT and 3.948 GPA. She was a 2021 graduate from Warrenton High School in Warrenton, Mo.

Extracurricular Activities: Ashley is a member of the Alpha Chi Omega Sorority (2021-Present). She is the Intellectual Development resource chair (2022-2023); Association of Trulaske Businesswomen (2022-present); and member in the Health Industry Sales Club (2022-present). She is a lifetime member of the Warrenton FFA. Ashley was a member of the Prairie View 4-H (2017-2021) and Treasurer (2020-2021). While in high school, she was the Treasurer in the National Honor Society (2019-2021) and was a varsity player with Warrenton Volleyball (2017-2021). She was in the Student Mentoring Group (2019-2021).

Honors and Awards: Ashley has been on the Mizzou Dean’s List (3 out of 3 semesters). She was the Warren County Fair queen (2021-2022). While in high school, Ashley was valedictorian (2020-2021). In volleyball, Ashley was All Conference, All-State Academic Player (10th-12th), 2020 Volleyball Coaches Award; Warren County Fair-2019 Intermediate Beef Showmanship Winner; and 4-H Top Club Achiever-Senior Division 2020.

Community/Service Activities: Ashley helped raise money for domestic violence victims through True North of Columbia. She volunteered to help raise awareness and funds for multiple sclerosis through Rockin’ Against Multiple Sclerosis. Ashley has 50+ volunteer hours at Warrior Ridge Elementary Summer School. She volunteered at Mizzou Homecoming and Greek Week blood drives.

Ashley was a speaker at a Veteran’s Day event, and she was an active participant in the Warren County Fair showing steers. Ashley has shown and sold steers at the Warren County Fair for five years. She is responsible for feeding, grooming, and training them for the shows.

During high school, Ashley’s activities were Summer School Tutoring (30 hours); Volleyball Youth Summer Camp Assistant (40 hours); and volunteering through National Honor Society (3 Hours/Week).

Work Experience: Ashley is employed in patient care for addiction rehabilitation. Between being enrolled in 17 hours of classes this semester at Mizzou, working a job, and extracurricular clubs and activities she does not get to come home and help as much as she would like, but she still tries to make time for this as often as possible.

In high school, Ashley worked an average of 25 hours a week in agricultural retail at Rural King.

Ashley would be honored to be a recipient of the scholarship because it is a great organization that supports their members. She is dedicated to her studies and would appreciate the financial help of this scholarship.

Rylee Paige Watson is a May 2023 graduate from Monroe City High School in Monroe City, Mo. with a 3.918 GPA and 20 ACT. Rylee plans to attend the Moberly Area Community College in Moberly to get an associate of applied science then transfer to St. Louis Community College Dental Hygienist Program to become a dental hygienist.

Extracurricular Activities: Football cheerleader (1 year); dance team (4 years); choir (4 years); softball manager (3 years); FFA officer (2 years -Junior year-Treasurer and Senior year-2nd Vice President); Student Council (1 year).

Honors and Awards: A Honor roll; All Conference Academic; National Honor Society; forestry contest team placed 9th in State and Rylee had the highest individual score for her team; softball state 2020, softball district champions 2019 & 2020; A+ program participant.

Community/Service Activities: Quarterly community service through National Honor Society; clean school vehicles and put out flags around town through FFA. Volunteered to drive golf cart for Potterfield/Berry wedding; wood wagon sales for two summers as my SAE for FFA. Volunteer and dance member of Fabulous Feet Dance Co.

Work Experience: Rylee is not employed now. 

Rylee does not work a job during the school year to concentrate on her grades and extracurricular activities. However, she has been employed for the past two summers at Jellystone Park. Summer of 2021 as the café lead and the summer of 2022 as a lifeguard. She plans to be gainfully employed this summer as well.

Rylee feels that she is the best candidate for the scholarship because she sets high standards upon herself regarding her education and academics.  When she sets her mind to accomplishing something she will not quit until she has achieved her goal.

Rylee’s high school counselor shared Rylee is a leader in the classroom as well as tither her extracurricular. She is self-motivated. Rylee will be working to pay for schooling and has been working and succeeding in high school.