Penn State students receive scholarships at 2017 Pennsylvania Farm Show

2017 Farm Show Scholarship Recipients

Penn State students who received 2017 Farm Show scholarships are shown with (standing, from left) Barbara Christ, senior associate dean in the College of Agricultural Sciences, and Tracy Hoover, the college's associate dean for undergraduate education; and (standing, far right) Michael Smith, executive deputy secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

Credit: Pa. Department of Agriculture

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Seventeen Penn State students, including 13 enrolled in the College of Agricultural Sciences, were among 28 who received scholarships from the Pennsylvania Farm Show Scholarship Foundation during the 101st Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg.

The students were recognized in a ceremony before the show's Junior Livestock Auction and Sale of Champions on Jan. 10.

The foundation awards scholarships to young people who are registered in a post-secondary educational institution and who have exhibited at the Farm Show. To be chosen, students must exhibit leadership qualities and excellent academic performance, according to the foundation.

Since 2005, the College of Agricultural Sciences has contributed additional scholarship money to students enrolled in good standing in the college who receive Farm Show scholarships. The amount of this year's scholarship is $3,500, and the college will add $2,000, bringing the total to $5,500.

"The work ethic that these students have demonstrated as Farm Show exhibitors shines through in their academic achievements and extracurricular activities," said Tracy Hoover, the College of Agricultural Sciences' associate dean for undergraduate education. "They are very deserving of recognition by the Farm Show Scholarship Foundation, and we're pleased to be able to enhance the scholarships for the recipients from our college as they continue their educational careers."

Following are the 13 College of Ag Sciences recipients of 2017 Farm Show scholarships:

--Allyson Balmer, of Manheim, Lancaster County, a junior majoring in agricultural and extension education, with a minor in international agriculture.

--Joshua Beam, of Elverson, Chester County, a sophomore majoring in animal science.

--Lena Bioni, of Claysville, Washington County, a junior majoring in agribusiness management, with a minor in horticulture.

--Chase Cashell, of Chambersburg, Franklin County, a senior majoring in agribusiness management.

--Lynn Finkenbinder, of Newville, Cumberland County, a sophomore majoring in food science.

--Cody Harpster, of Pennsylvania Furnace, Centre County, a freshman studying immunology and infectious disease.

--Matthew Kasanicky, of Leechburg, Armstrong County, a freshman at Penn State New Kensington studying animal science and agribusiness management.

--Michael Kasanicky, of Leechburg, Armstrong County, a freshman at Penn State New Kensington studying animal science and agribusiness management.

--Karoline Kent, of Lititz, Lancaster County, a sophomore at Penn State Berks majoring in animal science, with minors in agribusiness management and equine science.

--Katherine McLaughlin, of Mifflintown, Juniata County, a sophomore majoring in agricultural science.

--Ethan Stas, of Latrobe, Westmoreland County, a freshman studying animal science.

--Lucas Watson, of Exton, Chester County, a sophomore majoring in animal science.

--Kara Zolocsik, of Dayton, Indiana County, a junior majoring in animal science.

Also awarded Farm Show scholarships were Nicholas Gardner, of Washington, Washington County, a sophomore at Penn State Greater Allegheny majoring in chemistry; Scott Gardner, of Washington, Washington County, a junior majoring in accounting; Garth LaBar, of Honesdale, Wayne County, a freshman studying nuclear engineering; and Colton Strait, of McConnellsburg, Fulton County, a sophomore at Penn State Mont Alto majoring in criminology.

The Farm Show Scholarship Foundation has awarded nearly $1.4 million in scholarship money to 500 students since its founding in 1993.

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