2015 DFA Cares Foundation Scholarships
Dairy Farmers of America recognizes the importance of developing future leaders in the dairy industry and is committed to investing in their education. Since its inception eight years ago, the DFA Cares Foundation Scholarship has grown to honor an increasing number of outstanding students who are pursuing careers in the dairy industry.
Selection criteria include a commitment and passion for a career in the dairy industry; extracurricular activities, awards and work experience; and academic achievement. This year, DFA’s scholarship committee identified a record 50 recipients who will receive a combined total of $48,500.
Precollege students
• Christy Achen, Aberdeen, S.D., planning to attend Purdue University and major in agribusiness
• Casey Baxter, Columbia Cross Roads, Pa., planning to attend Pennsylvania State University and major in veterinary and biomedical science
• Krystal Burger, Adams, N.Y., planning to attend Morrisville State College and major in animal science–dairy
• Maura Butler, Seneca, Mo., planning to attend Missouri State University and major in agriculture education
• AnnaMarie Condon, Horicon, Wis., planning to attend Iowa State University and major in agronomy
• Josh Dransfield, Gap Mills, W.Va., planning to attend West Virginia University or Virginia Tech and major in animal science, agronomy or dairy science
• Alexandra Gambonini, Petaluma, Calif., planning to attend California Polytechnic State University and major in dairy science
• Ella Jackson, DeGraff, Ohio, planning to attend Ohio State University and major in animal science
• Marissa Koller, Mondovi, Wis., planning to attend University of Wisconsin-River Falls and major in accounting
• Katie Kovalaske, Waterloo, Wis.,planning to attend University of Wisconsin-River Falls and major in dairy science and preveterinary medicine
• Morgan Krause, Buffalo, Minn., planning to attend University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and major in agriculture education
• Jacob Lenz, Prairie Home, Mo., planning to attend Missouri University of Science and Technology and major in mechanical engineering
• Tyler Marotz, Mead, Neb., planning to attend University of Nebraska-Lincoln and major in agriculture economics
• Stephanie McBath, Schuylerville, N.Y., planning to attend Cornell University and major in animal science
• Ryan Meyer, Hanover, Kan., planning to attend Southeast Community College and major in agriculture business and management technology
• Jay Moon, Buckhead, Ga., planning to attend University of Georgia and major in agriculture education and dairy science
• Ryan Nelson, Washington, Kan., planning to attend Kansas State University and major in agribusiness
• Abigail Peterson, Loleta, Calif., planning to attend Mississippi State University and major in animal and dairy science with a production concentration
• Sabrina Portner, Sleepy Eye, Minn., planning to attend Iowa State University and major in dairy science
• Arthur Schneider, Hermann, Mo., planning to attend Missouri University of Science and Technology and major in mechanical engineering
• Katie Sondericker, Attica, N.Y., planning to attend Pennsylvania State University and major in animal science
• Hollie Tefteller, Gilmer, Texas, planning to attend Tarleton State University and major in animal science
• Case Vanderlei, Amherst, Texas, planning to attend Texas A&M and major in agribusiness
• Rasten Yeates, Brigham, Utah, planning to attend Utah State University and major in agriculture business
• Dakota Zapalac, La Grange, Texas, planning to attend Texas A&M University or Oklahoma State University and major in large animal veterinary medicine
Undergraduate students
• Annie Achen, Aberdeen, S.D., attends Purdue University, majoring in agricultural business–food marketing
• Kaleb Bateman, Elberta, Utah, attends Utah Valley Universe, majoring in biology
• Lora Berning, Sidney, Ohio, attends Wright State University Lake Campus, majoring in agriculture business
• Kylie Bos, Marion, Mich., attends Saginaw Valley State University, majoring in finance and management
• Derek Donnelly, Hager City, Wis., attends University of Wisconsin-Madison, majoring in agricultural and applied economics and dairy science
• Amber Gabel, Newport, Pa., attends Pennsylvania State University, majoring in animal science
• Francesca Gambonini, Petaluma, Calif., attends California Polytechnic State University, majoring in dairy science
• Madelaine Giebler, Neosho, Mo., attends Crowder College, majoring in nutrition
• Connor Jackson, Waco, Texas, attends Oklahoma State University, majoring in agribusiness
• Riley Lewis, LaGrange, Ind., attends Purdue University, majoring in agricultural economics
• Abigail Martin, Janesville, Wis., attends University of Wisconsin-Madison, majoring in dairy science
• Bridget Moore, Sears, Mich., attends Michigan State University, majoring in animal science
• Maria Jo Noble, Gillett, Pa., attends Morrisville State College, majoring in agricultural business
• Morgan Richard, Elton, La., attends Louisiana State University, majoring in animal, dairy and poultry science
• Audrey Schmitz, Axtell, Kan., attends Kansas State University, majoring in agriculture communications and journalism and animal sciences and industry
• Austin Schmitz, Axtell, Kan., attends Kansas State University, majoring in biological and agricultural engineering
• Laura Schmuki, Navarre, Ohio, attends Ohio State University, majoring in animal biosciences
• Kyle Sollenberger, Spring City, Pa., attends Pennsylvania State University, majoring in animal science
• Bruce Wangsgard, Logan, Utah, attends Utah State University, majoring in agricultural business
• Rachel Wonderlich, Ollie, Iowa, attends Iowa State University, majoring in communication studies
• Karen Zijlstra, Godley, Texas, attends Tarleton State University, majoring in agribusiness
Graduate students
• Kayle Austin, Lamar, Colo., attending Colorado State University, majoring in large animal veterinary medicine
• Matthew Borchers, Lewistown, Ohio, attending University of Kentucky, majoring in dairy systems management
• Whitney Davis, Mountain Grove, Mo., attending University of Missouri, majoring in veterinary medicine
• Karmella Dolecheck, Twin Falls, Idaho, attending University of Kentucky, majoring in animal sciences
• Robyn Terrel, Honesdale, Pa., attending Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, majoring in veterinary medicine
Source: Dairy Farmers of America
