2024 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Ava graduated in May 2022 from Hermann High School in Hermann, MO with a 4.02 GPA and 27 ACT score. Ava is majoring in nursing at the University of Evansville in Evansville, Indiana.

Extracurricular Activities: While in college, Ava has been in Student Christian Fellowship two years (Fall 2022 to present) as a general member. She is involved in Student Nurses Association of Peers as Secretary (Fall 2022 to present). She is also a member of Zeta Tau Alpha and holds the Historian position, previously the Director of Activities and Personal Relations/Advertising Chair (Fall 2022 to present).

While in high school, Ava was in 4-H for 12 years holding offices such as secretary, vice president and president. She was in FFA all four years being an officer for three of them. She was a member of the National Honor Society (NHS).

Honors and Awards: Ava was selected to attend the Zeta Tau Alpha Emerging Leaders Academy in August 2023.

During high school, in 4-H, Ava was awarded Group 1 High Individual in Soils and Horses Evaluation. She was an All-Around Academic Athlete for four years. She was awarded Outstanding Girl twice in 4-H out of the county.

Community/Service Activities: Ava participates in a lot of community activities through the sorority. During the 2024 school year, she served food at the local food shelter and prepared meals for the homeless. She helped with adoption days for the humane society.  Personally, she walks dogs for another humane shelter.

During high school, Ava participated in community service countless times including trash pick-up for 4-H and NHS. Ava tutored young students. She also worked the Horsin’ Around Fun Show and Church Fish Fries.

Work Experience: Ava is working part-time in healthcare between 24-40 hours a week.  She works part-time hours during the school year and full-time during the summer.

While in high school, Ava worked 16-32 hours a week in retail. 

When she is home, she helps to care for the animals on the family farm. This includes mucking out living areas, filling feed and water, and giving baths. At the company business she helps with record keeping and cleaning.

Ava shared being a recipient of the MDTA scholarship would give her the ability to continue studies without financial burdens.  She is currently a nursing student and halfway getting a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She plans to work in pediatrics or intensive care out of college and later go back to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).

During her free time Ava does photography sessions for seniors or friends and also helps a travel agency as a social media intern.

Ava’s college advisor recommended her for the scholarship because she is hard working, self-accountable, professional and responsible. 

The school counselor recommended Ava for the scholarship because of her involvement in clubs and activities. Ava is currently involved in FFA, 4-H, and the National Honor Society. Ava shows leadership qualities every day at school by being a great support to other students. She also spends time out of school as an officer and goes on various trips for FFA and 4-H. Ava’s GPA is currently 4.02. She has worked very hard and has taken multiple honors and dual credit courses. Ava has an ACT score of 27 composite. Ava qualifies to take the math and science senior scholar test due to her high ACT score. The counselor based her recommendation on her ability to be successful and achieve any goal she sets her mind to. Her grades and GPA prove her ability to be successful.

Brayden is a 2024 graduate of Oak Grove High School with a weighted GPA of 3.686, unweighted GPA of 3.471 and 15 ACT. Brayden plans to attend the University of Missouri in Columbia majoring in music.

Extracurricular Activities: Brayden played soccer during his junior and senior year (2022 – 2024). He was involved in Theatre in the Senior year (2023-2024). And, was in National Society of High School scholars (2023-2024).

Work Experience: Brayden works 18 hours per week in retail.

Brayden wants to be a recipient of the Missouri Dump Truckers Association scholarship because receiving the scholarship would help him financially. Receiving the scholarship would also help him attend the school of his dreams to get the best possible education for his degree and future. He plans to attend the University of Missouri-Columbia (MIZZOU) to continue his education in music. He plans on getting a music education degree to help high school kids learn all about music and how fun it can be. His dream is to teach the world how life-changing and saving music can be.

Brayden’s high school counselor recommended him as during his college years, there will be multiple family members attending college at the same time. Brayden has challenged himself with AP, dual credit, and other weighted courses and done very well. He is a hardworking, strong, determined student who will continue to challenge himself and grow as a student and person throughout college and life. He has exhibited strong leadership skills as a flute section leader during his high school sophomore and junior years. In his senior year, he holds the top leadership position in the band, drum major.

Ashley Pullen is a student at the University of Missouri in Columbia with a 3.96 cumulative GPA. Her course of study is Health Science with an emphasis in leadership and policy. She is obtaining a minor in Business. Her goal is 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. 

Extracurricular Activities: Ashley is a member of the Association of Trulaske Businesswomen as Vice President/Finance Chair (2022-present); Alpha Chi Omega Sorority (2021-Present). She is the Intellectual Development Chair (2022-2023); and member in the Health Industry Sales Club (2023-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 (6 out of 6 semesters). She was the 2021 Warren County Fair Queen. While in high school, Ashley was valedictorian (2020-2021). In volleyball, Ashley was All Conference, All-State Academic Player (2020-2021), 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 led a drive to donate feminine products to women at shelter for Love Columbia. She helped raise money for domestic violence awareness through True North of Columbia. She volunteered at Mizzou Homecoming and Greek Week blood drives. She volunteered to help raise awareness and funds for multiple sclerosis through Rockin’ Against Multiple Sclerosis. She had 50+ volunteer hours at Warrior Ridge Elementary Summer School.

Ashley was a speaker at a Veteran’s Day event, and she was an active participant in the Warren County Fair showing steers. Ashley showed and sold steers at the Warren County Fair for five years. She was 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 20-30 hours a week in patient care for addiction rehab. She is currently enrolled in 18 credit hours at Mizzou, and on the Executive Board of a club while being an active member of other clubs. Due to this, I do not get to come home as much as she would like, but she tries to come home as much as possible and make time for helping at home. 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 completed the pre-requisites for dental hygienist with a 3.424 GPA at Moberly Area Community College. She plans to attend Ozark Technical Community College in the Fall 2024 and major in dental hygiene. She was a May 2023 graduate from Monroe City High School in Monroe City, Mo. with a 3.918 GPA and 20 ACT.

Extracurricular Activities: Football cheerleader (1 year); dance team (4 years); choir (4 years); softball manager (3 years); book club (4 years), science club (4 years); FFA contest team (4 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 she 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 three summers as my SAE for FFA. Volunteer and dance member of Fabulous Feet Dance Company.

Work Experience: Rylee worked 20 hours per week as a tutor at Moberly Area Community College during the school year and will continue working the tutoring job through the summer. During the summer she helps her family with yard work and pool maintenance while also maintaining her wood wagon sales.

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.

The Moberly Area Community College (MACC) Director shared Rylee has tutored for MACC and did a terrific job stating she was not afraid to take on new tasks. Rylee is a very dedicated, punctual and hard-working student. Any financial aid is appreciated.

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.