Megan Brennan has loved the life growing up on the Quinn River Ranch where she and her parents have lived and worked since moving here. Brennan has already been investing in an agricultural future of her own with high school involvement in Future Farmers of America (FFA), and is looking into the possibilities of a future career as an equine dentist; she's also interested in nursing.
Megan graduated from Lowry High School this year and will be attending Great Basin College in Elko this fall, with the help of a scholarship from the Humboldt County Cattlewomen.
"The Humboldt County Cattlewomen's organization is proud to have been able to help Megan get a start in college with this $1,000 graduating high school scholarship," said Debbie Hummel, former president of Humboldt County Cattlewomen and this year's vice president of the state Cattlewomen's organization. "She is a very deserving young lady and we're happy to be able to give her some of the recognition she's earned."
Each year since 2007, the Humboldt County Cattlewomen's organization has given high school and continuing education scholarships to deserving youth, said Hummel.
"We don't have a set amount for the scholarships we give," explained this year's newly minted president of Humboldt County Cattlewomen, Beth Thompson. "The cattlewomen have awarded $15,000 in scholarships so far, including Megan's scholarship. We will award a continuing education scholarship in September."
The continuing education scholarship will go to a graduate of Lowry or McDermitt high schools in Humboldt County. The application deadline is Aug. 15. Details are on the Internet at www.hccattlewomen@yahoo.com.
The award decision is based on a combination of GPA, extracurricular activities, and an 800 word minimum essay on "The importance of agriculture to the local and national economy and how you plan to use your education in support of agriculture."
Money for all the scholarships comes from each year's sale of a donated heiffer during the livestock show and sale at the fair, according to Thompson. She added that the scholarships don't have set amounts, "We give as much as we have in a given year."
Thompson said while children of Humboldt County Cattlewomen are given a preference when it comes to awarding the scholarships, other students can qualify for a scholarship and have done so in the past. She added that the cattlewomen make the effort to balance the scholarships awarded between McDermitt and Lowry High School, if applications are received from both.
Hummel put in a plug for membership in Humboldt County Cattlewomen's. She said membership fluctuates, with different members involved at different times or with different projects. "We are always looking for new members to join us, and anyone who has an interest in agriculture is welcome," added Hummel.
Anyone interested is invited to contact Beth Thompson at 623-5830, or Debbie Hummel at 859-0344.[[In-content Ad]]
