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Posted 09/30/2023
For immediate release:
Sept. 30, 2023
For more information, contact:
Jeff Schafer, North Dakota Stockmen’s Foundation president: (701) 653-5690 • schafer@gondtc.com
Julie Ellingson, North Dakota Stockmen’s Association executive vice president: (701) 223-2522 • jellingson@ndstockmen.org
Elizabeth Neshem, North Dakota Stockmen’s Association communications director: (701) 833-162 • eneshem@ndstockmen.org
North Dakota Stockmen’s Foundation awards 10 scholarships
The North Dakota Stockmen’s Foundation (NDSF) awarded 10 scholarships during the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association’s (NDSA) 94th Annual Convention and Trade Show in Watford City, N.D., this afternoon.
The NDSF awarded five Legacy Scholarships to Shawna Burian of Manning, N.D., Kazanne Gjermundson of Richardton, N.D., Faith Heim of Bismarck, N.D., Jayden Miller of Carson, N.D., and Olivia Throener of Cogswell, N.D.
Burian is a freshman at Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture, studying animal science. She chose animal science because she believes a background in ranch management will help her grow and expand her knowledge of the cattle industry. She hopes to take the skills she learns and apply them on her family ranching operation. Burian is a graduate of the Tomorrow’s Top Hands Beef Leadership Summit, a member of the District 4 CattleWomen and was an active FFA member. She is the daughter of Paige and Brenda Burian.
Gjermundson is a sophomore at North Dakota State College of Science, where she is studying dental hygiene. Growing up on her family ranch, she saw the benefit of working hard together as a family and in raising and caring for animals, day after day. Gjermundson looks forward to being an advocate for the cattle industry and for agriculture. She is a graduate of the NDSA’s Tomorrow’s Top Hands Beef Leadership Summit and was actively involved in 4-H, the North Dakota High School Rodeo Association and band. She is the daughter of Casey and Colette “Koko” Gjermundson.
Heim is a freshman at Sheridan College, studying agricultural business with an emphasis in communications. Heim wants to be an advocate for agriculture by learning the business and communication sides of the industry to best share with consumers the values agriculture holds. In college, she is a member of the university’s rodeo team. She is a graduate of the Tomorrow’s Top Hands Beef Leadership Summit and was actively involved in the North Dakota High School Rodeo Association, 4-H and FFA. Following graduation, Heim hopes to return to the ranch and pursue a career in agriculture communications. She is the daughter of Alan and Charlotte Heim.
Jayden Miller is a freshman at the Bismarck State College, studying nursing. Miller chose her career path because she wants to be able to care for the community and make a difference in the health of those around her. She finds passion in making others feel their best. Growing up on her family’s cattle ranch, she learned the value of hard work and hopes to continue to play a role in the operation upon graduation. She was actively involved in 4-H, FFA volleyball and high school rodeo. She is the daughter of Todd and Carmel Miller.
Throener is a freshman at Lake Area Technical College pursing a degree in livestock production management. She choose this path because she wants to learn more about the business side of farming and ranching and bring that knowledge back to her family operation. In the future, she hopes she can expand both her family’s cow-calf operation and feedlot. She is a graduate of the Tomorrow’s Top Hands Beef Leadership Summit and was actively involved in FFA, 4-H and trapshooting. She is the daughter of Kevin and Ronda Throener.
The two recipients of the Myron Wold Scholarship, which honors the longtime NDSA member and Watford City, N.D., cattleman, are Ian Dukart of Manning, N.D., and Kennedy Wendel of Carrington, N.D.
Dukart is a freshman at Bismarck State College, studying animal science. He plans to return to the family ranch after obtaining a certificate in ranch operations. Dukart also wants to gain knowledge from interning on other ranches to see different operations’ and management styles. In high school, he was actively involved in 4-H and FFA. He is the son of Derrick and Angie Dukart.
Wendel is a freshman at the Universtiy of Jamestown, studying biology and plans to pursue veterinary medicine. She grew up on an Angus cattle ranch. Wendel has long been interested in solving problems as they arise and learning more about how to prevent them in the future. Wendel hopes to serve local livestock producers’ animal health needs. She plays collegiate volleyball. In high school, she was actively involved in 4-H and the North Dakota Junior Angus Association. Wendel is the daughter of Shane and Mary Wendel.
- M. Moore of Rocklake, N.D., received the Tokach Angus Ranch Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship honors the memory of Richard M. “Dick” Tokach, who was the NDSA president from 1984 to 1986. Moore is in her first year of graduate school at North Dakota State University, where she is pursing her masters’ degree in agricultural education. Moore has been working in agriculture and natural resources since she received her bachelor’s degree in 2000. After two nearby schools were directly hit with the shortage of agriculture educators, she wanted to help and made the decision to go back to school. Moore operates a small farm and ranch with her husband and three children. She has been actively involved in the industry and was honored as the North Dakota Country Woman of the Year in 2021. Moore and her husband Jason have three children, Mady, Carson and Greyson.
Savanna Bader was awarded the Endowment Scholarship by the NDSF. Bader is a sophomore at North Dakota State University studying animal science. She grew up on a farm and ranch that taught her the importance of agricultural production and instilled a fondness for animals. In high school, Bader served as her FFA chapter’s president and was captain of her volleyball team. In college, she is active in the NDSU Saddle & Sirloin Club. She is the daughter of Rick and Stacy Bader.
Ty MacDonald of Bismarck, N.D., was awarded the Jack and Vander Reich Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship honors the memory of Jack Reich, who was the NDSA president from 2008 to 2010, and his son, Vander. MacDonald is a freshman at North Dakota State University, studying agricultural communications with a minor in agricultural economics. He grew up on a ranch southeast of Bismarck, N.D., where his family raises Salers cattle and sells bulls in an annual production sale. MacDonald has an interest in marketing cattle and connecting with customers in the industry. Upon graduation, he hopes to return to his family’s seedstock operation. He was actively involved in 4-H and FFA. MacDonald is the son of is the son of Will and Jerilyn MacDonald.
The NDSF will be offering scholarships again in 2024. Information and downloadable applications can be found at www.ndstockmen.org/foundation. The deadline to apply is March 1, 2024.
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