Macon County Cattlemen Announce 2025 Scholarship winners

 

Macon County Cattlemen Announce 2025 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 $41,000 in scholarships to 25 high school seniors, college or technical school students in the amount of $1,500 each. In addition, 6 current college students with majors relating to agriculture will receive an additional $500; one student received a bonus of $500 for having the top essay.

Since 2001, MCCA has provided 501 scholarships to local students. Total scholarship payouts have totaled $434,050 in the past 25 years, which makes the scholarship program the largest of its type in the area.

According to member Samantha Halley, 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,” Halley said. “The strength of our future depends on our youth; supporting them supports the future of our industry.” 

The association provides annual scholarships funded through its annual February banquet.

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

• Atlanta – Sawyer Nelson, Bailey Watson, Kynleigh Stull and Grady Hruska.
• Bevier – Gavin Chiarottino.
•  La Plata – Layndyn Hulett, Sydney O’Haver and Logan Arbuckle.
• Macon R-I – Denver Gingrich, Grayson Turnmire, Tinley Schneider, Callie Butner, Toby Walker and Preston Burns. 
• Macon County R-IV – Gabe Gall.

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

• Atlanta – Sylvie Christensen, Dane Christy, and Kamberly West.
• Macon R-1 – Faith Wyatt, Tysen Wilson, Elizabeth Seiler, Grace McLellan and Jasper Shannon.
• Marceline – Riley Rowe.
• Other – Colton Waterhouse.

The college applicants included two students with majors related to agriculture. These students received an additional $500 scholarship, making their total award amount equal to $2,000: Sylvie Christensen, Dane Christy, Tysen Wilson, Grace McClellan, Jasper Shannon, Riley Rowe. 

Grayson Turnmire also received an additional $500 for having the top essay of all applicants this year.

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 who 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 189, followed by: Atlanta (159) Macon County R-IV (47), La Plata (42), Bevier (24), Bucklin (7) and Other (33). 

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 www.maconcountycattlemen.com.