Macon County Cattlemen Announce 2016 Scholarship Winners

(MACON, MO) The Macon County Cattlemen’s Association (MCCA) has announced the winners of their annual scholarship program. 

This year, the Cattlemen awarded $19,400 in scholarships to 27 high school seniors, college or technical school students in the amount of $600 each. Eight current college students with majors relating to agriculture received an additional $400 for a total of $1,000, each.

Since 2001, MCCA has provided 264 scholarships to high school seniors, college or technical students.  Total scholarship payouts have totaled $175,750 in the past sixteen years, which makes the scholarship program the largest of its type in the area.

According to member Aaron Baker, the scholarship program is just one way the cattlemen are supporting youth in the county.  “We are proud to support local youth by sponsoring activities at the county fair, charitable groups serving youth and industry interests and also providing funds for our junior organization,” Baker said.  “Our future is only as strong as our youth.” 

The association raises the funds to provide annual scholarships through its banquet, auction, and “Texas Hold ‘em” Tournament in February. 

This year’s winners include seniors from the following high schools:

• Atlanta -  Matt Howlett, Ashlea Pennington, Hayden Petre, Corey Smothers, Alicia Strausbaugh, Justin Howe and Garrett West.
• Bevier – Luke Long
• Macon – Clarke Blodgett, Kayla Cason, Austin Clithero, Ethan Foster, Jocie Hogsett, Brett Lucas, Kayla Noyes, Mackenzie Riley, Abigail Seipel and Trevor Shrum.

College or Technical School Students represented the following local high schools:

• Atlanta – Marty Halley, Christina Pennington.
• Home-schooled – Cooper Neill and Madeline Smith
• La Plata – Jeana Noel
• Macon – Breanna Gottman, Luke Mosley and Walter Schaefer
• Macon County R-IV – Zachary Duncan.

Eight students with majors related to agriculture received an additional $400 scholarship for a total award of $1,000: Marty Halley, Christina Pennington, Cooper Neill, Madeline Smith, Jeana Noel, Breanna Gottman, Walter Schaefer and Zachary Duncan.

All applicants for this scholarship program must be current members of a Macon County 4-H Club, FFA Chapter, or Junior Cattlemen and/or have parents, grandparents, or a spouse that are current members of the Macon County Cattlemen’s Association.  Applications were judged by an impartial committee; preference was given, but not limited to, students who plan a future related to agriculture.

Macon High School leads in total scholarships received in the history of the program at 100, followed by: Atlanta (80), Macon County R-IV (34), La Plata (19), Bevier (11), Bucklin (5) and Other (15).

For more information or a link to the applications for the Macon County Cattlemen’s Scholarship Program, visit www.maconcountycattlemen.com.