More than $130,000 in scholarships from the Hereford Youth Foundation of AmericaNational Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) to assist in financing their college educations.

Highlighting the scholarship offering is special gift from Jack and Donna Vanier of CK Ranch, Brookville, Kan. The Vanier family, lifetime foundation supporters and Hereford breeders, will award $10,000 Vanier Family Scholarships to 10 Hereford youth who demonstrate a strong work ethic, commitment to higher education and have overcome obstacles in his or her life.

“This is a monumental gift that will make a huge difference in the education of the ten young recipients,” says Amy Cowan, director of youth activities and foundation at the American Hereford Association and HYFA. “The Vanier family has a deep commitment to supporting young people in agriculture who have a strong desire to better themselves and the world in which we live in by obtaining a college degree,” Cowan adds. “The entire Vanier and CK Ranch family, Jack, Donna, Marty, John and Mary are to be congratulated for making this transformational gift to our Hereford youth.”

Another new scholarship that will be awarded for the first time in 2016 is the Perks Ranch Scholarship in the amount of $5,000. Additional scholarships are made possible by the late Bill and Jo Ellard, EE Ranches Inc.; the late Bob and Dolores Call, CBY Polled Herefords; Lloyd Whitehead, Whitehead Ranches; Bob Kube, Fauquier Farms; the Vanier family, CK Ranch; the Blin family; Randy and Kelly Owen; Nancy and Tim Keilty, Edmond F. and Virginia B. Ball Foundation/Cottonwood Springs; Larson Polled Herefords; the late Gary Bishop; and Bar One Ranch, whose scholarship is given in memory of Ken Tracy.

Applications for HYFA scholarships are due Sept. 15. Scholarship applications must be filled out online and National Junior Hereford Association members may access the applications by visiting JrHereford.org. Applicants must be completing their senior year in high school and/or be currently enrolled in a four-year accredited university, junior/community college and/or a technical institution.