Farm Show Scholarship Foundation Names Winners

Chris Torres
Staff Writer

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Twenty-three students from across the state received some extra help for college Tuesday as the Pennsylvania Farm Show Scholarship Foundation shelled out a total of $80,500 in scholarships.

This was the 17th year for the program.

A total of 319 scholarships valued at more than $800,000 have been awarded since the program started.

The winners applied for scholarships in October and were selected based on their participation at the Farm Show, academics, financial need, participation in 4-H or FFA, and community service.

Each student received a scholarship worth $3,500. Delaware Valley College provided matching scholarships for students enrolled at the college, while Penn State awarded $2,000 for students enrolled in the College of Agricultural Sciences.

Here are brief bios of the winners:

Stephanie D. Beeman, 24, of Carlisle, is a junior in agribusiness agricultural communications at Penn State. She was active in the Cumberland County 4-H Goat Club and farm safety activities. She also served as an FFA state vice-president and excelled in career development activities.

Katelin Elizabeth Costik, 19, of Middletown, is a freshman at Millersville University. As a six-year Dauphin County 4-H member, Katie held several club offices and took several livestock projects, earning many champion titles at the county 4-H and Elizabethtown fairs.

Constance Alyse Anderson, 20, of Saltsburg, is a junior at Penn State majoring in animal science. A 10-year veteran of 4-H, Constance has held several offices in her Armstrong County 4-H program and received many county awards.

Sarah L. Doyle, 19, of Red Lion, is a sophomore at Penn State, majoring in animal science with a business option. A York County 4-H member, Sarah has held many leadership roles, competed with the state 4-H livestock judging team, and is a leader in the American Southdown Breeders Junior Association.

Sarah Lynne Farley, 18, of Hazleton, is a freshman at Penn State majoring in animal science. A resident of Luzerne County, she is an active 4-H member in Somerset County, where her extended family owns a farm. She has taken livestock projects, earning many champion honors and has exhibited market steers, lambs, swine and goats the Pennsylvania Farm Show.

Bradley Wayne Feight, 20, of Breezewood, is a senior at the Pennsylvania College of Technology, where he studies welding and fabrication engineering. In Bedford County, Brad was active in 4-H and is still a member of FFA.

Lianna Nicole Fisher, 19, of Bethel, is a sophomore at York College majoring in elementary and special education and youth development. As a Lebanon County 4-H member, Lianna exhibited market hogs and held leadership roles in her 4-H club.

Ashley Gladys Gerstlauer, 18, of Philadelphia, is a sophomore at Penn State Abington, where she is studying animal science. A graduate of W.B. Saul High of Agricultural Sciences, Ashley was active in FFA and with the Fox Chase Farm 4-H program, where she served as vice-president and secretary.

Jeremy Ray Harriger, 19, of Brookville, is a sophomore at Mount Aloysius College, where he is studying radiology and medical imaging. Active in Jefferson County 4-H, Jeremy has been president of two livestock clubs, on the livestock judging team, and a member of the Jefferson County Junior Livestock Club.

Andrew I. Hughes, 21, of Lancaster, is a junior at Penn State majoring in anthropology. As a Lancaster County 4-H member, Andy exhibited hogs earning many champion honors, participated on the livestock judging team, and held several offices.

Caralynn Jo Hyduke, 18, of Export, is a freshman at Delaware Valley College majoring in livestock science and management with plans to pursue further education in genetic research. A nine-year member of the Westmoreland County 4-H program, Carrie has raised sheep, goats, hogs, cattle, rabbits, and poultry as projects, exhibiting at the county and regional levels. She has also participated in livestock judging.

Esther McCrea, 20, of Philadelphia, is a sophomore at Chestnut Hill College where she is studying English in the pursuit of becoming a teacher. A 12-year member of the Manatawna-Saul 4-H Livestock Club, Esther has held the office of president and secretary, and worked with beef, sheep, swine, and dairy cattle.

Chad Menges, 19, of Hanover, is an agribusiness major at Delaware Valley College. Enrolled in two 4-H livestock clubs and one community 4-H club in York County, Chad has shown market hogs and meat goats at the county level, earning many champion honors.

Amanda Joy Miller, 19, of Northern Cambria, is a sophomore at Pennsylvania College of Technology studying architectural technology. Amanda is an active 4-H member taking projects in clothing, foods, livestock, horticulture, horse, and wildlife.

Jeremy Mock, 18, of Williamsburg, is enrolled at Butler Community College in Kansas, where he is working towards an associate degree in agriculture business. Active in the Blair County 4-H program and the Williamsburg FFA, Jeremy exhibits and judges all species of livestock and serves as leader to younger members.

Ryan Charles Nolt, 18, of New Holland, is a freshman at Penn State Berks, where he is studying animal science and aspires to be a large animal veterinarian. An avid beef breeder and showman, Ryan is a member of the Lancaster County 4-H program and FFA.

Emily Plizak, 18, of Philadelphia, is a freshman at Temple University, where she is studying civil and environmental engineering with a focus on water quality. As an eight-year member of the Fox Chase Farm 4-H Club, Emily has held all club offices and has exhibited swine and steers at the county level and Pennsylvania Farm Show, earning several master showman awards.

Carl Eber Rudy, 20, of Halifax, is a junior at Harrisburg Area Community College, where he is studying mechanical engineering technology with plans to transfer to Penn State Harrisburg. A member of the Dauphin County 4-H program for 11 years, Carl has exhibited every species of livestock except poultry.

Jennifer Nicole Shultz, 19, of Dillsburg, is in her second year of an associate degree dairy program at Morrisville State College in New York. A 10-year veteran of the York County 4-H program, Jenn has been very active holding offices, taking livestock and dairy projects, and competing on judging teams.

Kelsie Lynn Smith, 20, of Fairhope, is a junior at Lock Haven University, where she is studying health and physical education. A Somerset County 4-H member, Kelsie has taken leadership roles in her club and the 4-H County Council, as well as exhibiting dairy goats, market steers, lambs, and goats.

Amanda Thompson, 18, of Wellsville, is a first-year student at York College, where she is studying nursing and plans to become a registered nurse. A York County 4-H and FFA member, Amanda has taken leadership roles in FFA and in dairy and beef 4-H clubs.

Cortney Christina Wright, 18, of Cassville, is a freshman at Penn State Altoona, where she is studying animal science and hopes to pursue a career in pharmaceutical sales. A member of the Huntingdon County 4-H program for nine years and an FFA member for six years, Cortney held many county offices and exhibited livestock at the county, state, and national levels.

Kyle Robert Wright, 19, of Middletown, is a freshman at York College, where he is studying mechanical engineering. In 11 years as a Dauphin County 4-H member, Kyle has taken livestock projects in market swine, sheep, dairy beef, and beef, earning many showmanship titles.