Midwest Dairy Association has awarded four $1,000 scholarships to students with a dairy background. Courtney Lintker of Venedy, Ill., and Blake Telle of Uniontown, Mo., were awarded the 2011 St. Louis Division scholarships. Kevin Hildebrandt of South Beloit, Ill., and Kristin Plager of Pearl City, Ill., were awarded the 2011 Chicago Division scholarships.
The scholarship program has received an enthusiastic response from dairy producers and their families. “Not only do the producers value the dairy-funded checkoff programs striving to increase the demand for dairy products, but they strongly support the education of youth as the future of our dairy industry and strong labor force,” said Marla Behrends, Midwest Dairy Association’s industry relations manager in Illinois.
The annual scholarship is awarded to students displaying leadership, work experience, academic performance, participation in activities and events, involvement in a dairy farm and the dairy industry, and financial need.
The deadline for the 2012 Chicago and St. Louis Division scholarships is March 1, 2012. Applications and more information can be accessed online.
Courtney Lintker
Courtney Lintker of Washington County, Ill., is the daughter of Wayne and Doris Lintker. Lintker plans to attend the University of Missouri-Columbia to pursue a career as a pediatrician. She is a graduating senior at Okawville High School where she is involved in Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering, sports and National Honor Society. Lintker says, “The responsibility, hard work, and respect I learned on the farm will continue into the workplace.”
Blake Telle
Blake Telle of Perry County, Mo., is the son of John and Donna Telle. Telle is a senior at Perryville High School and plans to attend Linn State Technical College for its powersports technology program. During high school, Telle was involved in FFA, football, Vacation Bible School and 4-H, all while helping on his family farm. Telle thanks Midwest Dairy for the opportunity to refuel with chocolate milk with his teammates after their football games.
Kevin Hildebrandt
Kevin Hildebrandt of Boone County, Ill., is the son of Ken and Amy Hildebrandt. Hildebrandt is a senior at North Boone High and plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison for dairy science and agricultural business. Throughout high school, Hildebrandt was involved in National Honor Society, FFA, 4-H, church youth group and the Boone County Dairy Quiz Bowl. After college, Hildebrandt plans to return to his family’s farm with plans to expand and improve it.
Kristin Plager
Kristin Plager of Stephenson County, Ill., is the daughter of Michael and Kimberly Plager. Plager is a student at Elmhurst College studying marketing and international business with a Spanish minor. She is involved with Phi Mu Fraternity, Habitat for Humanity, Order of Omega, Gamma Sigma Alpha, Alpha Mu Gamma and Phi Beta Delta. “I have taken it upon myself to inform people about how great these types of organizations (dairy industry) are and how important it is for people to be well informed,” she says.
Source: Midwest Dairy Association