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Nine northeast Colorado high school seniors have been awarded $1,000 Youth in Agriculture scholarships as a result of the annual Meat In Event in Sterling.

The event and scholarship program are sponsored by Sterling Livestock Commission Co. and headed by Jason Santomaso.

Santomaso said 14 students applied for the scholarships, which go to high school seniors who will be going into agriculture or ag-related fields of study.

JL Hay Service sponsored one of the scholarships, awarded to Taryn Goss of Merino High School. Taryn plans to attend West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas, to study animal sciences. Taryn’s long list of school activities and honors includes president of Merino FFA and FCCLA chapters, student council president, induction into National honor Society and Academic Honor Roll, among others.

Natalie Boerner of Fleming High School plans to attend the University of Wyoming to study agricultural communications. She said she plans to work with an ag-based company as a communications coordinator and advocate for agriculture. Natalie’s high school achievements and activities included FFA, FBLA, 4-H, Student Council, National Honor Society and Logan County Livestock Judging Team.

Elijah Weisensee of Limon High School also plans to attend West Texas A&M to pursue double degrees in agricultural business and ag communications. He plans to make a career in sales, management or marketing of ag-related products. Elijah was president of the Limon High School National Honor Society Chapter and Student Council, and held offices in the FFA and 4H chapters, and re-established the Limon chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Bryce Kendrick of Brush High School plans to attend Northeastern Junior College and then West Texas A&M to study agricultural business. He wants to return to his family’s Morgan County farm and help fellow producers with risk management decisions. A four-year member of Brush FFA, Bryce served as treasurer in 2021-2022 and served on the executive committee. He also has been on the academic honor roll at BHS and has served as secretary, treasurer and vice president of the Valley View 4-H chapter.

Julie Onufrak of Weldon Valley High School will be attending Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne, Wyo., to study agricultural business and sales and communication. Julie was active in Future Business Leaders of America and FFA at WVHS and was active in athletics and student government.

Tuff Sigler of Holyoke High School already is attending Western Welding Academy in Gillette, Wyo., where he will earn certification in electrical arc and tungsten inert gas welding techniques. His plan is to use a career in welding to finance the startup of his own cattle operation. Tuff’s high school activities include FFAA, in which he has held chapter and district offices, FBLA, National Honor Society and Student Council. He has made Superintendent’s Honor Roll three of his four high school years.

Makayla Motzkus of Peetz High School will be attending the University of Ohio where she will pursue a degree in commercial equine business management. She hopes to become an equine pharmaceutical sales representative. Makayla’s activities include 4-H and Peetz High School FFA where she was treasurer and then president. She was named to the Honor Roll every year since 2018 and has a long list of awards in horsemanship. Makayla is the only person to have served as Miss Rodeo Logan County for two years

Kristin Dahl of Fort Morgan High School will be attending Texas A&M University to study agricultural economics and finance. She hopes to become an ag loan officer. While at FMHS, Kirstin served as an officer in the FFA chapter, including president, was on the Alpha Honor Roll all four years and was named to National Honor Society. Her 4-H career included serving as president of her chapter, and a long list of horsemanship awards including Grand Champion Western Riding and Grand Champion English Riding at the Colorado State Fair.

Sarah Maker of Sterling High School plans to attend Eastern Wyoming College to earn an associate in veterinary technician. She also plans to participate in the college’s livestock show team. Sarah was active in 4-H for 11 years and has been president of the SHS FFA chapter and has held numerous other positions in the organization. She has been inducted into National Honor Society. Sara hopes to raise show-quality goats for future 4-H and FFA members.

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