Pomp and Circumstance playing in the background as graduates will be marching down the aisle to accept their diplomas. Proud parents, family and friends crowding gymnasium bleachers or folding chairs to cheer on their loved one.

Yep, graduation is here. On to college or on to the work force; decisions must be made. It’s off into the “real” world, except I’m no longer sure what is real and what is fiction these days. I guess these young people will define that in the coming years.

Congratulations!

Scholarships

Megan Hagemann, Jack Richolson, Lauren Carlson, Alexandria Cassens, Morgan Schabacker, Kennedy Strohecker, Breanna Cisketti and Grace Prose were all recently named as recipients of scholarships awarded by the Ogle County Farm Bureau in 2023.

Cisketti was awarded the Del Flessner Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $1,500. This scholarship was created to honor the legacy of long-time Ogle County Farm Bureau Manager Del Flessner. She is the daughter of Brian and Brandi Cisketti. Breanna is a 2022 graduate of Polo High School and is currently majoring in agribusiness at Sauk Valley Community College with plans to attend UW-Platteville next fall.

Cassens and Hagemann were named winners of the $1,000 General Farm Bureau Scholarship.

Cassens is the daughter of John and Diane Cassens, Byron. She is a 2022 graduate of Byron High School and currently attends Luther College majoring in nursing.

Hagemann is the daughter of Brad and Jean Hagemann, Mt. Morris. She is a 2020 graduate of Forreston High School and attends UW-Platteville majoring in animal science.

Richolson was named the recipient of the $1,000 Don Bybee Memorial Scholarship, sponsored through the generosity of the Bybee Family to honor Mr. Bybee for his many years of service to agriculture in Ogle County. Jack is the son of Brad and Julie Richolson, Lindenwood. Jack is a 2022 graduate from Rochelle Township High School and currently attends Iowa State University majoring in agricultural studies.

Schabacker is the recipient of the Mark Detig Memorial Scholarship awarded in the amount of $1,000. This scholarship honors the late Mark Detig for his service to the Ogle County Pork Producers Association and Ogle County agriculture. Morgan is the daughter of Todd Schabacker and Anita and Mike Friedlund, Rochelle. Morgan is a 2020 graduate from Rochelle Township High School is currently attending Iowa State University majoring in agricultural business.

Carlson is the Ag Technology Scholarship winner. Lauren is the daughter of Jason and Julie Carlson, Byron. She will graduate Byron High School this year and will continue her studies at either UW-Platteville or Southeast Missouri State majoring in environmental horticulture. The scholarship is awarded in the amount of $1,000.

Strohecker is the recipient of the Mary LeFevre Memorial Scholarship, sponsored in cooperation between the farm bureau and the Jeff and Joyce Tremble Family. The scholarship focuses on students pursuing careers in healthcare. Kennedy is the daughter of Ron and Tasha Sims, Byron. She will graduate Byron High School this spring and attend the Viterbo University majoring in nursing. The scholarship is awarded at $1,000.

Prose was awarded the George LeFevre Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $1,000. It also is funded with the cooperation of the Jeff and Joyce Tremble Family, recognizing Mr. LeFevre for his lifelong service to Ogle County agriculture. Gracie is the daughter of Nick and Charity Prose, Oregon. Gracie will graduate Oregon High School this spring and go onto study ag communications at either Highland Community College or Iowa State University.

This marks the 25th year that the Ogle County Farm Bureau has awarded scholarships to member dependents who seek to pursue course studies in agriculture at an accredited institution of higher education.

Scholarships will again be awarded in 2024 and applications will be available in January.  For information on the Ogle County Farm Bureau Scholarship Program contact me at 815-732-2231.

“A graduation ceremony is an event where the commencement speaker tells thousands of students dressed in identical caps and gowns that ‘individuality’ is the key to success.” -Robert Orben

Ron Kern is the manager of the Ogle County Farm Bureau.