2024 AGRICULTURE SCHOLARS CELEBRATED AT LUNCHEON:
Thirty High School Seniors Receive $2,500 to Pursue Ag Careers
The class of 2024 Farm Credit agriculture scholars was recognized during a scholarship luncheon at Carriage House Event Center in Altamont Thurs., May 23.
A total of $75,000 of scholarships were awarded to 30 high school seniors. Each scholar receives $2,500 from FCI to pursue a degree within the field of agriculture. Twenty-six of the students attended the recognition program.
This marks the twentieth year of the Farm Credit agriculture scholarship program, which has awarded nearly $800,000 to 506 students in central and southern Illinois since 2004. Scholarship selections are based on participation and leadership contributions within school and community organizations, a genuine passion for farming and/or agriculture, and a commitment to pursuing an agriculture-related career.
“Farm Credit Illinois is proud to invest in tomorrow’s agricultural leaders,” says Rod Stoll, vice president of marketplace engagement for FCI. “These scholars will support our mission of Helping Farm Families Succeed by applying their passion for agriculture in careers that shape the future of the industry and Rural America.”
2024 FCI Agriculture Scholars are:
- Megan Baker of Trilla (Cumberland County) graduated from Neoga High School and will attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale to study Forest Hydrology. Megan’s parents are Andy and Christine Baker.
- Jude Beers of Thompsonville (Williamson County) graduated from Johnston City High School and will attend Northeast Oklahoma A&M College to study Mechanical Engineering. Jude’s parents are Jerry and Kristy Beers.
- Taylor Beisiegel of Belleville (St. Clair County) graduated from Freeburg Community High School and will attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to study Agronomy & Plant Biotechnology. Taylor’s parents are Kent and Tonya Beisiegel.
- Maggie Bland of Eldred (Greene County) graduated from Carrollton High School and will attend Lincoln Land Community College to study Agricultural Communications. Maggie’s parents are Steve and Julie Bland.
- Jay Bliler of Taylorville (Christian County) graduated from Taylorville High School and will attend Lake Land College to study Agriculture. Jay’s parents are Nate and Elizabeth Bliler.
- Joseph Dahmm of Beason (Logan County) graduated from Lincoln Community High School and will attend Lincoln Land Community College to study Agriculture. Joseph’s parents are Andrew and Joan Dahmm.
- Courtney Davison of Carlyle (Clinton County) graduated from Carlyle High School and will attend Southeast Missouri State University to study Pre-veterinary Medicine. Courtney’s parents are Jason and Alison Davison.
- Kaylee Gerlach of Waggoner (Montgomery County) graduated from Lincolnwood Jr./Sr. High School and will attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to study Agricultural Communications. Kaylee’s parents are Eric and Angie Gerlach.
- Raul Guerra of Arcola (Douglas County) graduated from Arcola High School and will attend Parkland College to study Construction Management. Raul’s parents are Raul and Nora Guerra.
- Khloee Hall of Kane (Greene County) graduated from Jersey Community High School and will attend Lincoln Land College to study Agriculture. Khloee is the daughter of Kerry Hall.
- Erica Kujawa of Ashley (Jefferson County) graduated from Nashville Community High School and will attend Murray State University to study Agribusiness and Management. Erica’s parents are David and Brenda Kujawa.
- Dale Magelitz of Virden (Macoupin County) graduated from North Mac High School and will attend WyoTech to study Diesel Technology. Dale’s parents are JoAnna and Larry Magelitz.
- Michael Matesa of Staunton (Madison County) graduated from Staunton High School and will attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale to study Agribusiness Economics. Michael’s parents are Chad and Julie Matesa.
- Will Moody of Paris (Edgar County) graduated from Paris High School and will attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to study Ag Business. Will’s parents are Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Moody.
- Hunter Mowrey of Milford (Iroquois County) graduated from Milford High School and will attend Lincoln Land Community College to study Ag Business and Marketing. Hunter’s parents are Jon and Tracy Mowrey.
- Trenton Payne of Olney (Richland County) graduated from Richland County High School and will attend Olney Central College to study Agricultural Engineering. Trenton’s parents are Shad and Diane Payne.
- Emma Pistorius of Blue Mound (Macon County) graduated from Meridian High School and will attend Northern Oklahoma College to study Agriculture Business. Emma’s parents are Pete and Megan Pistorius.
- Olivia Radke of Paris (Edgar County) graduated from Chrisman High School and will attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to study Animal Science. Olivia’s parents are Kim James and Chris Radke.
- Porter Schwantz of Lincoln (Logan County) graduated from Lincoln Community High School and will attend Lincoln Land Community College to study Animal Science. Porter’s parents are Herman and Sara Schwantz.
- Caleb Seboldt of Fults (Monroe County) graduated from Valmeyer High School and will attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to study Agricultural Education. Caleb’s parents are Mark and Brenda Seboldt.
- Olivia Shike of Sadorus (Champaign County) graduated from Unity High School and will attend Black Hawk College East to study Agriculture Business and Policy. Olivia’s parents are Dan and Jennifer Shike.
- Grant Simmons of Forsyth (Macon County) graduated from Maroa Forsyth High School and will attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to study Agricultural and Biological Engineering. Grant’s parents are Nathan and Gia Simmons.
- Haiden Stocks of Decatur (Macon County) graduated from Unity Christian High School and will attend Northwestern College in Iowa to study Agriculture Business. Haiden’s parents are Jerrold and Natalie Stocks.
- Mara Turner of Mahomet (Champaign County) graduated from Mahomet-Seymour High School and will attend Lake Land College to study Agricultural Communications and Livestock Production. Mara’s parents are Andrew and Alice Turner.
- Paris Van Dyke of Louisville (Clay County) graduated from North Clay High School and will attend Lake Land College to study Agricultural Communications. Paris’ parents are Jon and Katrina Van Dyke.
- Aubrey Wagner of Onarga (Iroquois County) graduated from Iroquois West High School and will attend Iowa State University to study Animal Science. Aubrey’s parents are Calvin and Alicia Wagner.
- Aly Williams of West Salem (Edwards County) graduated from Edwards County High School and will attend Lake Land College to study Agriculture Business. Aly’s parents are Cody and Derra Williams.
- Delaney Williams of Olney (Richland County) graduated from Richland County High School and will attend Wabash Valley College to study Agriculture Business. Delaney’s parents are Brittania Kocher and Andrew Williams.
- Kailyn Williams of Raleigh (Saline County) graduated from Eldorado High School and will attend Southeastern Illinois College to study Ag Business. Kailyn’s parents are Scott Payne and Amanda Payne.
- Alejandro Zamora of Cobden (Union County) graduated from Cobden High School and will attend John A. Logan College to study Construction Management. Alejandro’s parents are Cipriano and Adriana Zamora.
Pictured above from left to right: Back row:Will Moody, Trenton Payne, Courtney Davison, Jay Bliler, Kaylee Gerlach, Grant Simmons, Emma Pistorius, Haiden Stocks, Taylor Beisiegel, Mara Turner, Hunter Mowrey; Middle row: Joseph Dahmm, Porter Schwantz, Paris Van Dyke, Maggie Bland, Aubrey Wagner, Olivia Shike, Khloee Hall, Caleb Seboldt, Dale Magelitz, Alejandro Zamora; Front row: Megan Baker, Delaney Williams, Kailyn Williams, Erica Kujawa, Aly Williams
Scholars not pictured: Jude Beers, Michael Matesa, Olivia Radke, Raul Guerra
Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Corporation launches campaign to assist workforce attraction efforts:
The Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Corporation (JREDC) is excited to announce the launch of its Talent Attraction Campaign featuring new “live and work” videos, digital advertising and a listing and relocation offer on MakeMyMove.com. The campaign places a targeted focus on recruiting an increased workforce to local businesses in the Jacksonville, IL, region.
“We believe the Jacksonville region is the right place to put down roots and grow a business for many reasons, from a strategic, centralized location, wonderful quality of life and incredible educational opportunities for people of all ages,” said Kristin Jamison, president of JREDC. “This creative mix of marketing and relocation incentives will attract more residents to our communities and aid area employers in finding the right employees they need to be successful.”
The Talent Attraction Campaign has three main segments. The first is a digital advertising campaign via Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to recruit new workers and build awareness of Jacksonville regional employers, open positions and benefits. The second is two Live/Work videos, the first of which can be viewed here. Together, the posts and videos will educate individuals on the area’s quality of life attributes from community amenities, Midwestern work ethic, culture and safety to cost-of-living and cost-of-doing-business advantages.
“We know we must aid in attracting a skilled workforce for the success of our current employers, as well as people interested in doing business in the Jacksonville region,” said Jamison.
Lastly, a listing and relocation incentive offer at MakeMyMove, valued at $9,300, will provide the final touch to encourage individuals to capitalize on the region’s advantages. The incentive offer includes $5,000 cash, three months of fiber broadband service from area providers, numerous passes and gift certificates at area establishments, $300 in “Chamber Checks” redeemable at 80+ participating Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce member businesses and more.
JREDC is thankful for the partnership efforts of the Chamber of Commerce in developing the live/work video strategy, as well as a new digital welcome kit. The two organizations were able to leverage grant dollars through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Community Navigator Grant program to complete segments of the talent attraction campaign. “The collaborative nature of all those involved only underlines the quality of the community that makes Jacksonville an ideal place for living and conducting business,” said Jamison.
Anyone seeking a fantastic location to live, work and build their business can access the Talent Attraction Campaign details at http://www.jredc.org/workforce/talent-attraction-incentive.
Jacksonville Memorial Hospital to Host Safe Sitter Courses:
Registration is open for two upcoming Safe Sitter courses at Jacksonville Memorial Hospital. The Safe Sitter class is intended to give preteens and teens the confidence and skills to be effective, safe babysitters.
Two sessions are planned, on Thursday, June 27, and Thursday, Aug. 1. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and lunch is included.
The cost for the class is $35. Students will use manikins to practice lifesaving skills. There will also be role playing, games and activities as the students learn how to handle everyday situations that could present a risk to children’s safety, including what to do when severe weather occurs.
The class will be held in the Meeting Rooms 1 and 2 at Jacksonville Memorial Hospital.
Space is limited to the first 24 who register online for each course at https://memorial.health/JMH-Safe-Sitter (June 27) and https://memorial.health/JMH-Safe-Sitter-Aug (Aug. 1).
