The Blue Ribbon Sale of Champions Foundation awards $30,000 in 2020 Scholarshps

The Blue Ribbon Sale of Champions Foundation is proud to award $30,000 in scholarships to Wisconsin youth pursuing higher education.  The Foundation awarded five $2000 awards, six $1500 awards, seven $1000 scholarships and eight $500 scholarships.

“We had a record number of students apply this year, with many exceptionally qualified applicants,” says Kristi Lange, scholarship chair for the Foundation. “Our mission is to support Wisconsin Youth actively involved in agriculture, and our scholarship program is a great way to do just that.”

Recipients were presented with a certificate of recognition during a scholarship awards and supporter thank you event at the Western Lakes Golf Club. The event was held in place of the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction at the Wisconsin State Fair. 

Scholarship recipients earning $2,000 were:

• Olivia Spaight, Waterford
• Kelsey Henderson, Kenosha
• Courtney Uhlenhake, Burlington
• Cortney Zimmerman, Spencer
• Kailen Smerchek, Rosholt

The $1000 winners were:

• Ian Shofner, Weyauwega
• Marie Prodell, Algoma
• Malorie Anne Schmoll, Wausau
• Heidi Strey, Osseo
• Cassie Wendt, DeForest
• Jamie Lyons, New Auburn
• Andrew Zukowski, Menomonie.

Recipients of $1500 scholarships included:

• Olivia Lulich, Lyndon Station
• Lily Wagner, Westfield
• Mason Crooks, Lancaster
• Morgan Vondra, Mineral Point
• Sam Henderson, East Troy
• Nathan Richard Thompson, Woodville

The $500 scholarship recipients were:

• Jacee Johnson, Delevan
• Andrew Boschert, Beaver Dam
• Lindsey Roloff, Shawano
• Emily Ellsworth, Elkhorn
• Dawson Firlus, Mauston
• Mara Quarne, Blair
• Andrea Edquist, Kenosha
• Nathan Doherty, Watertown

Congratulations to this year’s winners, all of whom have shown a commitment to agriculture and are beginning or continuing the next chapter in their education this fall. These scholarships are given on an annual basis to recognize youth for their leadership skills, academic achievements and accomplishments as Wisconsin State Fair Junior Livestock exhibitors.  

The Blue Ribbon Sale of Champions Foundation manages the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction to provide a platform for enhancing and strengthening the agriculture community of Wisconsin, and to foster better understanding of the agriculture industry throughout our society.

The auction is a highlight the annual Wisconsin State Fair for Wisconsin youth who have worked hard all year to achieve Grand, Reserve or Breed Champion status and have won a coveted spot in the auction. Annually funds raised at the Governor's Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction directly benefit more than 200 Wisconsin State Fair Junior Exhibitors through the livestock sale, Camp of Champions, scholarships and Blue Ribbon Sale of Champions Foundation's sponsorship of other Wisconsin State Fair Junior Exhibitor programs.

Scholarships are funded, in part, from generous auction buyers at the Governor's Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction who donate their animal purchases to the Foundation. With no auction this year, those donations couldn’t be made.

Click here to support our 2021 Scholarship Fund.