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NILE scholarship winners announced

The NILE Foundation proudly announces the scholarship winners for the 2016-2017 academic year.

“Through the efforts of the NILE Foundation the total scholarship amount was increased from $20,000 to $25,000 to help support this year’s scholarship winners, interns, and rolling scholarship winners from previous years,” says Al McCormick, NILE Scholarship Committee Chairman.

The NILE Foundation again increased the total scholarship amount budgeted for this year’s scholarship recipients and also set money aside for the upcoming internship program this fall. 14 new recipients were awarded scholarships and eight rolling scholarships were renewed.



Since 1990 the NILE and NILE Foundation awarded over $575,000 in scholarships to deserving youth active in 4-H, FFA, and their communities. They excelled in the classroom while participating in NILE events.

Similar to 2015, scholarships were awarded on various levels described below:



A one-time $1,000 scholarship awarded to graduating high school seniors that will continue their education at a college or vocational school.

The “Shining Star Award” is a new scholarship offered one-time for $2,000 to a graduating high school senior that excelled academically, in their community, and at NILE Events.

The Collegiate Scholarships are $1,000 one-time grant, for students already enrolled in college or a vo-tech school.

The rolling scholarships are offered to a select group of high school seniors who may renew the scholarship annually for up to four years of their secondary education. Recipients for the 2016 rolling scholarships were chosen from the pool of applicants that are current seniors in High School.

Five one-time scholarships have been awarded to the following seniors in high school in the amount of $1,000:

Kinsey Ashby is the daughter of Scott and Kassi Ashby of Powell, WY. She is a current student at Powell High School, where she will graduate in May. Kinsey plans to attend Northwest College to study Kinesiology, with hopes of becoming an Occupational Therapist.

Logan Despain plans to attend Casper College to major in Agricultural Education. This May, he will graduate from Laramie Senior High School. Logan is the son of Johnathan and Becky Despain of Laramie, WY.

Karly Hanson of Kalispell, MT is the daughter of Mathew and Erica Hanson. After graduation from Flathead High School, she plans to attend Casper College to obtain a degree in Agricultural Communications. She hopes to work as the head of communications at an agricultural company after college.

Laramie Noble is a soon-to-be graduate of Beaverhead County High School. She is the daughter of T. Adam Noble and Jennifer Boka. Her post high school plans include attending Montana State University in Bozeman, MT to study Ag Relations and Communication and Political Science while competing on the Rodeo team.

Craig James Stevenson is the son of Darrell and Sara Stevenson of Hobson, MT. Currently, CJ is the valedictorian at Moore High School in Moore, MT where he will graduate in May. After graduation, he plans to attend Montana State University in Bozeman, MT to pursue a degree in Financial Engineering.

The 2016 Shining Star Award is a new scholarship that will be given to a graduating high school senior for the one-time amount of $2,000:

Trey Nansel plans to attend Montana State University in Bozeman, MT to major in Computer Engineering with future plans of becoming a designer of computer hardware. Trey is a soon-to-be graduate of Billings West High School. He is the son of Jay and Gayle Nansel of Billings, MT.

Three high school seniors have been awarded rolling scholarships in the amount of $1,000 annually for up to four years. They are:

Molly Cooksey, a soon-to-be graduate of Weld Central High School is the daughter of Jeffrey and Amy Cooksey of Roggen, CO. Molly plans to attend Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, CO to pursue a degree in Animal Science and then become an Embryo Transfer Technician.

Elizabeth French plans to attend Montana State University in Bozeman, MT to obtain a degree in Agricultural Business after graduation from Huntley Project High School in Worden, MT. This valedictorian is the daughter of Jim and Debbie French of Pompey’s Pillar, MT. Her future plans include becoming an Ag Lender.

Hannah Kraft is the daughter of Rick and Brenda Kraft of Billings, MT. Hannah plans to attend Northwest College in Powell, WY to major in Agriculture Business. She hopes to work in the field of Ag Sales or Marketing after completing college.

Students selected as rolling scholarship recipients must remain in good standing by maintaining a 3.0 cumulative GPA as a full-time student in college. These recipients must also continue involvement in NILE, while participating in college organizations and activities.

The following students of the class of 2015 have met these requirements and will be rewarded with their second installment of rolling scholarship in the amount of $1,000.

Cody Boyce, native of Lewistown, MT and daughter of Bill and Kim Boyce, is a current freshman at Montana State University in Bozeman, MT pursuing a degree in Pre-Veterinary Medicine. She plans on transferring to Vet School after completing her undergraduate studies.

Cierra Lamey is attending Montana State University Billings to obtain a degree in Biology. Her future plans include applying for Vet School post undergrad and becoming a practicing Veterinarian. Cierra is the daughter of Cory and Kari Lamey of Wise River, MT.

Jayelyn Ruckman is the daughter of Bruce and Janae Ruckman of Fairfield, MT. Jayelyn is currently attending Casper College in Casper, WY majoring in Animal Science and is undecided as to what she would like to do after college. While she studies in Casper, she is competing on the livestock judging team.

The following students of the class of 2014 have met these requirements and will be rewarded with their third installment of rolling scholarship in the amount of $1,000.

Rachael Buzanowski, native of Pompey’s Pillar, MT, is a sophomore at Butler Community College in El Dorado, KS majoring in Animal Science. She plans on transferring to Kansas State University next fall and working towards becoming an Agricultural Lawyer after college. Buzanowski is the daughter of Bernie and Stacie Buzanowski.

Jaclyn Ketchum daughter of Bruce and Tena Ketchum of Plevna, MT. Currently, Jaclyn is attending Kansas State University studying Animal Science. After college, she plans receive her Masters and Doctoral Degree to become an Animal Scientist and research the reproductive system of cattle.

Amanda Williams is wrapping up her sophomore year at Montana State University where she is majoring in Animal Science & Natural Resources–Rangeland Ecology. Amanda is the daughter of Kent and Christine Williams of Miles City, MT. At the conclusion of college she sees herself working as a County Extension Agent.

The following students of the Class of 2013 have also met these requirements and will be rewarded with their fourth and final installment of rolling scholarship in the amount of $1,000.

Bobby Dorvall is the daughter of Link and Holly Dorvall of Fromberg, MT. Bobby is currently attending the University of Wyoming, pursuing an Agroecology and Agricultural Business degree. Bobby plans to work in the area of livestock and crop sales or marketing after graduation.

Kensey Mikklesen is currently attending Montana State University Bozeman, MT. She is majoring in Exercise Science-Health and Human Performance with plans to practice as a Physical Therapist in a rural community after completing her higher education. Mikkelsen’s parents are Rod and Traci Mikkelsen of Hobson, MT.

The Joe Fouts Memorial Scholarships were established to memorialize the passion for these organizations that Joe Fouts so devoutly showed, awarding youth active in 4-H and FFA programs in two $500 scholarships.

Fouts actively participated as a 4-H and FFA member. His passion passed to his children who also participated in 4-H and FFA. Fouts continued working with 4-H and FFA youth through his many years at Western Ranch Supply.

Jayson Simpson has been a member of the Lander FFA Chapter for four years. He is the son of Steve and Jenny Simpson of Lander, WY. After graduation from Lander Valley High School, Jayson plans to attend the University of Wyoming in Laramie, WY and study Physical Therapy.

Kobey Simpson has been a member of the Lander FFA Chapter for four years. This soon-to-be Lander Valley High School graduate plans to attend the University of Wyoming to pursue a degree in Nursing. Kobey is the son of Steve and Jenny Simpson of Lander, WY.

The following students are currently pursuing degrees in higher education and each has been awarded a Secondary Scholarship in the amount of $1,000.

Dan Johnson is currently attending Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS majoring in Agribusiness. After college he plans on an Agriculture Financial Officer. Dan is the son of Jeff and Tami Johnson of Dillon, MT.

Olivia Morton is a native of Nyssa, OR, and is the daughter of Carl and Julie Morton. Currently, Olivia is attending Oregon State University and Eastern Oregon University pursuing a degree in Agriculture Sciences, with hopes of becoming an Ag Lender. Olivia was one of the great interns that joined the NILE in 2015.

Jordyn Wagner is the daughter of Darryl and Kari Wagner of Billings, MT. At the present time, Jordyn is studying Elementary Education at the Rocky Mountain College. Her future plans include becoming a Fourth Grade Elementary Teacher.

“The future goals of tomorrow’s leaders are very adaptive to the new agricultural technologies, and this year’s class demonstrated the abilities to meet today’s challenges in agriculture,” commented McCormick.

The NILE Foundation was established in 2009 as a supporting arm of the NILE organization, which is dedicated to the promotion of livestock, agriculture education and respect for the western culture.

Each year the NILE and NILE Foundation touch the lives of nearly 10,000 youth through the many programs, events, “live” animal scholarships, and college scholarships. Together, these organizations provide over $75,000 in cash and live animal scholarships annually. If you’re interested in contributing to the NILE Foundation send a donation to PO Box 1981, Billings, MT 59103

–The NILE