Macon County Cattlemen Announce 2020 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 $27,500 in scholarships to 25 high school seniors, college or technical school students in the amount of $1,000 each. One student was awarded an additional $500 for having the top essay and four current college students with majors relating to agriculture will receive an additional $500.

Since 2001, MCCA has provided 381 scholarships to high school seniors, college or technical students. Total scholarship payouts have totaled $270,250 in the past twenty 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 - Madison Peavler, Mackenzie White, Teryn Fitzsimmons, Cole Thompson and Jordan True.
• Bevier – Evan Thurnau. 
• La Plata – Sheridyn Bealmer and Addison Belfield. 
• Macon – Caden Phillips, Caleb Bergfield, Lauren Wilson, Keaton McLin and Grace Cason. 
• Other – Brooke Harshbarger and Braden Collins. 

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

• Atlanta – Kyle Viers, Tawna Cavender and Aleassa Hruska. 
• La Plata - Jacci Gregory. 
• Macon – Jacob Primm, Taylor Kemp, Lane Blackford and Jamison Hogsett.
• Other – Riley Koch and Claire Retherford. 

Four students with majors related to agriculture received an additional $500 scholarship making their total award amount equal to $1,500: Kyle Viers, Tawna Cavender, Jacob Primm and Taylor Kemp. 

An additional $500 was awarded to Addison Belfield for having the best essay.

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 149, followed by: Atlanta (116) Macon County R-IV (38), La Plata (28), Bevier (16), Bucklin (5) and Other (29). The students will receive their scholarship at the livestock auction at the Macon County Fair.

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