Giannoulias awards 10 agriculture scholarships
Students honored at Ag Day breakfast

August 18, 2009

State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias presented Excellence in Agriculture Scholarships to 10 outstanding high school seniors today during his office’s annual Ag Day breakfast at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield.

The 2009 Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship recipients receive a $2,500 deposit into a Bright Start College Savings account. Bright Start is Illinois’ tax-free 529 college savings plan. Since the program was established in 2001, the Treasurer’s Office has awarded $125,000 in agriculture scholarships.

“We are happy to help these aspiring students achieve their educational goals,” Giannoulias said. “These young men and women have the necessary tools to become future leaders in our state’s agricultural industry and help keep Illinois a leader in crop and livestock production.”

More than 150 high school students applied for the scholarships this year and the winners were selected based on their grades, community service, and personal essays that explained their commitment to agriculture studies and careers.

The Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship Program is coordinated by the Cultivate Illinois division of the Treasurer’s Office. Other Cultivate Illinois initiatives include low-interest agriculture loans, which give farmers and agriculture professionals access to capital for annual operating expenses, long-term investments, and alternative agriculture endeavors.

The 2009 Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship winners are:

  • Carmen Au, daughter of Wai Keun Au and Rui Sheng Mai of Chicago. She plans to pursue a degree in food science and human nutrition at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Carmen wants to revolutionize food and the processes involved with growing, distributing, and consuming food.

  • Jeffrey Barnes, son of James and Danette Barnes of Leland. He plans to pursue a degree in agricultural business at Joliet Junior College and Iowa State University. Jeff wants to start a farm of his own, while owning and operating a cattle and grain operation.

  • Jacob Becraft, son of Robert and Lori Becraft of Metamora. He plans to pursue a degree in chemical and bimolecular engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Jacob wants to work towards the discovery and economical production of alternative bio-fuels.

  • Matthew Doherty, son of Tom and Cheri Doherty of Springfield. He plans to pursue a degree in agricultural engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Matthew wants to develop new technologies that will use agricultural products for renewable energy sources.

  • Will Glazik, son of Jeff and Rita Glazik of Paxton. He plans to pursue a degree in crop science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Will wants to own his own commercial-sized production biodiesel plant.

  • Briana Grymonprez, daughter of Tim and Shelly Grymonprez of Port Byron. She plans to pursue a degree in science, biotechnology, and pre-veterinary medicine at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Briana wants to become a veterinarian and work on small and large animals, as well as have the knowledge to make a difference in the community.

  • Kelsey Koster, daughter of Douglas and Kelly Koster of Aurora. She plans to pursue a degree in food science and human nutrition at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Kelsey wants to help Americans live a better quality of life, especially by finding ways to lower the obesity rates in children.

  • Shelby Magnuson, daughter of Chris and Susan Magnuson of Normal. She plans to pursue a degree in food science and human nutrition at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Shelby wants to improve the health of Americans by developing more nutritious, good-tasting food products as a food scientist in a major food company.

  • Patricia Paulausky, daughter of Renee and Robert Verburgt of Lockport. She plans to pursue a degree in agricultural and biological engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Patricia wants to attain a position in a government agency geared towards environmental health.

  • Eric Sommer, son of Todd and Cheryl Sommer of Foosland. He plans to pursue a degree in agricultural accounting at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Eric wants to come back to his family’s farm or work in an agricultural-based business in the area.

  
     
 
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