RICFB Foundation awards $15,500 in scholarships
The Rock Island County Farm Bureau Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2024 Scholarships. These awards are given to outstanding high school and college students who have achieved a well-rounded high school and collegiate career and understand the value of volunteerism. These applicants were selected based upon their academic, school, and community involvement by an independent committee appointed by the Rock Island County Farm Bureau® Foundation Board of Directors.
This year, the Rock Island County Farm Bureau Foundation awarded one $1,500 scholarship to a graduating high school senior. The 2024 Foundation Scholarship winner is:
These scholarships have been made possible thanks to the financial gifts from several families. We also want to extend our sincere appreciation to the family of Myron and Helen Mueller who donated over $5,000 to the Foundation in support of funding one of the Foundation Scholarships each year beginning in 2009. Currently, because of their additional giving, the funds have grown and will help fund a Foundation Scholarship each year until the funds are exhausted. The Lowell Johnson Charitable Foundation and the Churchill Family Foundation have annually contributed $1,500 and $1,000 respectively towards the scholarships for the RICFB Foundation as well. The family of Glenn Mueller has also donated funds in support of Foundation Scholarships.
KEPPY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP
This year, four students will receive a $2,500 scholarship for their continuing education courtesy of the Wilbert and Carol Keppy Charitable Foundation. The 2024 Keppy Scholarship winners are:
GEORGE AND IRENE STULZ FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP
This year, two students will receive $1,000 scholarships towards their post-secondary education courtesy of the George and Irene Stulz Family Scholarship. The 2024 Stulz Scholarship winners are:
The Stulz Family Scholarship was established in 2018. The scholarship awards monies to post-secondary students enrolled as a Junior or Senior at a four-year university with a career focus in an agricultural field.
KENNETH BUSH MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
This year, one graduating high school senior will receive a $2,000 scholarship toward their post-secondary education courtesy of the Kenneth Bush Memorial Scholarship. The 2024 Bush Scholarship winner is:
The Kenneth Bush Memorial Scholarship was established in 2020 by the Kenny Bush Family. Kenny and Marilyn Bush have been long-time supporters of the Rock Island County Farm Bureau and its Foundation. Inducted into the Rock Island County Farm Bureau Foundation in 2011, both served on the foundation board of directors for a number of years. Their belief of hard work, education, and the value of family and faith is of the utmost importance in life. Kenny also served as the Vice-President of the Rock Island County Farm Bureau from 1968-1970 and President from 1970-1974. Kenny Bush passed away in April 2020 and his family dedicated a generous scholarship contribution to be awarded annually in his honor.
A reminder that scholarship applications are available from the Farm Bureau office around January 1st each year. For more information regarding the Rock Island County Farm Bureau Foundation and their scholarships, please contact the FB office at (309) 736-7432, or visit www.ricofarmbureau.org/foundation.
This year, the Rock Island County Farm Bureau Foundation awarded one $1,500 scholarship to a graduating high school senior. The 2024 Foundation Scholarship winner is:
These scholarships have been made possible thanks to the financial gifts from several families. We also want to extend our sincere appreciation to the family of Myron and Helen Mueller who donated over $5,000 to the Foundation in support of funding one of the Foundation Scholarships each year beginning in 2009. Currently, because of their additional giving, the funds have grown and will help fund a Foundation Scholarship each year until the funds are exhausted. The Lowell Johnson Charitable Foundation and the Churchill Family Foundation have annually contributed $1,500 and $1,000 respectively towards the scholarships for the RICFB Foundation as well. The family of Glenn Mueller has also donated funds in support of Foundation Scholarships.
KEPPY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP
This year, four students will receive a $2,500 scholarship for their continuing education courtesy of the Wilbert and Carol Keppy Charitable Foundation. The 2024 Keppy Scholarship winners are:
- Cassie Bohnert, daughter of Scott and Karen Bohnert, a 2024 graduate of United Township High School. She will study Dairy Science at Iowa State University this fall.
- Emily Saddoris, daughter of Michael and Amy Saddoris, a 2024 graduate of Riverdale High School. She will attend Iowa State University this fall with plans to study Agriculture Studies.
- Chloe Strachan, daughter of William and Mary Strachan, a 2024 graduate of Rockridge High School. She will study Elementary Education at Monmouth College this fall.
- Amelia Rursch, daughter of Darrin and Keri Rursch, a 2023 graduate of Rockridge High School. She is studying Politics and Law at Rhodes College.
GEORGE AND IRENE STULZ FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP
This year, two students will receive $1,000 scholarships towards their post-secondary education courtesy of the George and Irene Stulz Family Scholarship. The 2024 Stulz Scholarship winners are:
- Desiree Reid, daughter of Joseph and Christina Reid, a 2022 graduate of Rockridge High School. She will be a junior at Iowa State University this fall, where she is majoring in Animal Science, Pre-Veterinary Medicine.
- Jennifer Abbott, daughter of Jason and Julie Abbott, a 2023 graduate of Orion High School. She will be a junior this fall attending the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign studying Agricultural Communications.
The Stulz Family Scholarship was established in 2018. The scholarship awards monies to post-secondary students enrolled as a Junior or Senior at a four-year university with a career focus in an agricultural field.
KENNETH BUSH MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
This year, one graduating high school senior will receive a $2,000 scholarship toward their post-secondary education courtesy of the Kenneth Bush Memorial Scholarship. The 2024 Bush Scholarship winner is:
- Maya Hakes, daughter of Daniel and Andrea Hakes, a 2024 graduate of Annawan High School. She will study Nursing at St. Ambrose University this fall.
The Kenneth Bush Memorial Scholarship was established in 2020 by the Kenny Bush Family. Kenny and Marilyn Bush have been long-time supporters of the Rock Island County Farm Bureau and its Foundation. Inducted into the Rock Island County Farm Bureau Foundation in 2011, both served on the foundation board of directors for a number of years. Their belief of hard work, education, and the value of family and faith is of the utmost importance in life. Kenny also served as the Vice-President of the Rock Island County Farm Bureau from 1968-1970 and President from 1970-1974. Kenny Bush passed away in April 2020 and his family dedicated a generous scholarship contribution to be awarded annually in his honor.
A reminder that scholarship applications are available from the Farm Bureau office around January 1st each year. For more information regarding the Rock Island County Farm Bureau Foundation and their scholarships, please contact the FB office at (309) 736-7432, or visit www.ricofarmbureau.org/foundation.
Our scholarship recipients were recognized at an awards luncheon at Pagalo's Pizzeria in Milan. Pictured L-R: Maya Hakes, Chloe Strachan, Amelia Rursch, Jennifer Abbott, Cassie Bohnert, Emily Saddoris, Desiree Reid, RICFB Director and donor Marilyn Bush, RICFB Foundation President Glenn Saddoris. Not pictured is Keegan Bohnsack.
