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2008 Press Release - Springfest Agricultural Scholarships |
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In an effort to encourage our young people to maintain Sussex County’s rich history and tradition in Agriculture, The Springfest Flower and Garden Show Committee and Agricultural Division of the New Jersey State Fair, along with Freeholder Glen Vetrano annually award higher education scholarships to students who are pursing a college degree in one of the many fields related to agriculture.
The 2008 Springfest Agricultural Scholarship recipients are Jacob Hunt of Fredon, a senior at Kittatinny High School and Ellen Woods of Branchville, a sophomore at Cornell University. The 2008 Freeholder Glen Vetrano Scholarship recipient is Lauren Horsfield of Branchville. Lauren is a sophomore at SUNY Cobleskill.
Jacob, recipient of the $1,000.00 Agricultural Division Scholarship, plans on studying animal science/pre-veterinary, with the ultimate goal of becoming a large animal veterinarian. A senior at Kittatinny Regional High School, Jacob actively participates in the school Chamber Choir and Madrigals, is a member of the National Honor Society and was named November student of the month. Jacob has been active in agricultural organizations beginning at age five when he was a member of 4-H Cow Kids Prep Club. Throughout his childhood he has competed successfully in many NJ State Dairy competitions, winning numerous awards including Grand Champion Intermediate Showmanship. The experience of living and working with Holstein cows on his family’s farm provided Jacob with hands on exposure to the dairy industry and animal husbandry. This past summer he had the opportunity to attend Cornell University’s Introduction to Veterinary Medicine program for high school students, where he studied with experts in the field, subjects such as animal pathology and organ systems. In his future Jacob plans to own a large animal veterinary practice, perhaps right here in Sussex County.
Ellen, recipient of the $500.00 Agricultural Division Scholarship is a 2006 graduate of Kittatinny Regional High School and is currently a student at Cornell University majoring in Plant Science, a diverse area of study. Ellen states that her interests extend into all realms of the plant sciences so she has not limited herself to any particular discipline. However she is firmly committed to having a positive effect on the environment. Ellen has spent many hours designing and maintaining garden beds and planters, including last summer when she was a horticultural assistant at the New Jersey State Fairgrounds. This college semester Ellen will be working in a lab studying plant defenses in milkweed. In addition to her love of the plant sciences, Ellen enjoys nature photography, specifically plants and insects. One of her pictures won honorable mention in the adult fauna division at the “Art of Sussex County” photography contest on display during the New Jersey State Fair. As she purses her interests, Ellen is hoping to use her background in botany to take diagnostic pictures of flowers and other plants for science publications.
Lauren, recipient of the $500.00 Freeholder Glen Vetrano Scholarship is a 2006 graduate of High Point Regional High School and is currently enrolled in SUNY Cobleskill. Lauren is seeking a Bachelor of Arts degree in Agriculture, majoring in Equine Studies. Lauren’s love of horses goes back to her participation in the 4-H Chaps and Breeches and Horsemen’s Riding Clubs. Throughout the years, Lauren has been active with various equine events including a Horse Symposium, the Horse World Expo, Tommy Turvey Training Session, Trail Training session and Therapeutic Riding. Lauren has also received riding instruction training. Horses have always been a big part of Lauren’s life. Owning two horses of her own has helped Lauren understand the responsibilities of daily care and maintenance and has encouraged her to pursue her dream of working with them everyday. This past month Lauren had the opportunity to shadow a veterinarian giving her an understanding and appreciation of the day-to-day commitment required inspiring her to work toward her goal of becoming an equine/large animal veterinarian. Lauren says that the rush she gets from helping an injured horse is amazing and she hopes to devote her life to veterinary practices.
These three deserving recipients were recognized at the 12th Agricultural Scholarship Gala awards ceremony on Saturday March 8, 2008.
The Agricultural Gala, an elegant benefit evening held in the magnificent gardens of the Springfest Flower & Garden Show, features butlered hors d’oeuvres and buffet dinner catered by Krave Café and Caterers of Newton NJ, music by the 18 piece Skyland’s Youth Symphony, a silent auction and an open bar. This year’s featured speaker was New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Charles M. Kuperus.
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