In schools across the area graduates will be parading across stages dressed in their gowns, hats and tassels receiving their diplomas recognizing them for a job well done. It will be the culmination of years of learning and hopefully they will understand that life outside of the structure of school will continue to teach life lessons.

So, congratulations to our graduates!

Breanna Cisketti, Gracie Prose, Cooper Alderks, Molly Blum, Carter Conderman, Aylivia Danekas, Bailey Jackson and Jack Richolson were all recently named as recipients of scholarships awarded by the Ogle County Farm Bureau in 2024.

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 UW-Platteville.

Blum and Danekas were named winners of the $1,000 General Farm Bureau Scholarship.

Blum is the daughter of Matthew and Krista Blum, Polo. She is a 2023 graduate of Polo High School and currently attends Iowa State University majoring in Agronomy.

Danekas will graduate this Spring semester from Polo High School. In the Fall she will be attending the University of Tennessee-Martin 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.

Carter Conderman 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. Carter is the son of Carmon and Craig Conderman, Byron. Carter is a 2022 graduate from Byron High School and is attending UW-Platteville majoring in Soil and Crop Science.

Alderks is the Ag Technology Scholarship winner. Cooper is the son of Dan Alderks, Chana. He will graduate Oregon High School this year and will continue his studies at Highland Community College majoring in Ag Business. The scholarship is awarded in the amount of $1,000.

Jackson 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. Bailey is the daughter of Rodney Jackson, Rochelle. She is a 2023 graduate of RTHS and is attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln 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 Prose, Oregon. Gracie is a 2023 graduate of Oregon High School and in majoring in Agribusiness/Communications at the UW-Platteville.

This marks the 26th 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 2025 and applications will be available in January.  For information on the Ogle County Farm Bureau Scholarship Program contact me at 732-2231.

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