Gloria Brooks/Bill Stobie/Colin Davidson Junior Scholarships are awarded each year by the Highland Cattle Foundation, one to a student in the field of agriculture and the other in any field of study (when applicable). However, at the discretion of the Board, three scholarships were awarded for 2007 in light of the exceptional group of applicants. Each is $1,000 and can be used towards any college expenses. It is a blind selection process. The only requirements are that your application is postmarked no later than June 1st (they are sent out each spring to all those AJHA members who meet the age requirements) and the applicant is an AJHA member who is currently in their senior year of high school or attending college and not over 21 years of age. Don’t be discouraged if you haven’t been selected, there is no limit on reapplying; however you may be awarded the scholarship only once. If you have any questions please contact Ginnah Moses, Highland Cattle Foundation at info@highlandcattleusa.org or (303) 292-9102.
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2007 Awardees are:
Leah Campbell of Canastota, NY has been involved with the Highland breed for nine years. On the way to get ice cream with her parents, brother and grandparents, her grandfather coaxed her dad into stopping at a local farm. They came home with seven head of Highlands so all are cautious when they go for ice cream now! She’s participated in the New York State Fair, NEHCA show, MAHA show, AHCA International, Celtic festivals and Canastota Farmers’ Market. The cattle have taught her to be responsible, practical and determined to succeed. She illustrates this by saying that even when it’s freezing cold outside, she needs to feed and care for her livestock. In addition, if she wants to do well in competition, she needs to groom, walk and practice with her cattle. Her guidance counselor says she is highly motivated and works diligently at any given task. A fellow breeder noticed last year that Leah brought a friend to the show and gave her the heifer that would clearly have the edge in the show ring. Her friend indeed placed above Leah and was beaming as she came out of the ring. Leah put her friend first in this silent and impressive choice she made. This fine young woman plans to attend Roberts Wesleyan College this fall majoring in social work.
Jake Larson, Trout Lake, WA, says raising Highlands for thirteen years has “sparked a love in me that have inspired both my current education goals and ultimately my dream of working with this exceptional breed as a career”. He’s attended nearly all of the NWHCA events, nine National Shows & Sales, three National Conventions, assisted with junior demonstrations at the National Show and took an extensive road trip visiting Highland herds across the US with friend, Skyler Anderson. A fellow Denver exhibitor explains that he has many times unselfishly forfeited his ability to win awards to allow other members the opportunity to succeed. His biology instructor points out that he lives 30+ miles from campus and holds down a demanding job at a dairy. This is no small feat for a full time college student. After graduating from Columbia Gorge Community College, Jake plans to transfer to Washington State University to complete a bachelor’s degree in animal science. The focus of his studies is beef herd production management.
Abigail Snyder resides in Kingston, OH and has enjoyed the breed for a decade. In addition to a rigorous school schedule including several advanced courses and a full slate of extracurricular activities, Abby has participated in the science fair for the last four years. She has received a superior rating at the local, district and state levels with research conducted on Highland beef with The Ohio State University. She has presented her research to the Ohio Academy of Science and AHCA Board of Directors and has been selected to present to the American Academy of Science in San Francisco this February. Her research paper was published in the Ohio Journal of Science. An OSU Department of Food Science professor states that “high school students rarely conduct research of this quality and these hands on experiences will be valuable in her future career”. Through these projects, as well as raising and managing her family’s small herd of Highlands, she’s decided to major in food science. Abigail will attend The Ohio State University this fall and has her sights on graduate school, possibly at Cornell or UC Davis.
Congratulations to Leah, Jake and Abigail!
