Logan County 20th annual Ag Breakfast awards $26,000 in scholarships

[March 23, 2019]  The 20th annual Logan County Ag Breakfast was held Thursday, March 21st at Lincoln College’s Jack Nutt Arena with a large crowd in attendance.

The breakfast focusing on scholarships was started by the Ag Committee of the Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce and takes place during National Agriculture Week. It was the second year the breakfast was hosted by the Logan County Farm Bureau.

Logan County Farm Bureau President David Opperman said many donors and sponsors help support the scholarships giving $250 upwards. All the monies go toward the scholarship recipients.

This year, seven scholarship recipients were named at the breakfast with a total of $26,000 in scholarships awarded through community support.

Logan County Farm Bureau Young Leaders Chairman and 2009 scholarship recipient, Blair Bruns, introduced this year’s recipients and presented two $5,000 scholarships, three $4,000 scholarships, and two $2,000 scholarships.

The $5,000 scholarship recipients were Molly Schempp and Sierra Smith.

Molly Schempp is the daughter of Darin and Cindy Schemmp of Atlanta. Schemmp is homeschooled through Midwest Christian Academy and attends Olympia High School part of the day, participating in their FFA program. She plans to pursue agricultural education and is still deciding on what school to attend. Schemmp hopes to return to the area once she finishes school.

Sierra Smith is the daughter of Tim Smith and Marcy Booth. Smith attends Hartsburg Emden High School and plans to study Animal Science at the University of Illinois, then find a job in the area.

The $4,000 scholarship recipients were Lane Miller, Maggie Anderson and Madison Thomas.

Lane Miller is the son of Jay Miller and Tara Miller, both of Atlanta. Miller attends Olympia High School and plans to study Agricultural Engineering at Kansas State University this fall.

Maggie Anderson is the daughter of Ed and Carol Anderson of Mount Pulaski. Anderson attends Mount Pulaski High School and will study agriculture at Kansas State University this fall.

Madison Thomas is the daughter of Jason and Crystal Thomas of Mount Pulaski. Thomas attends Mount Pulaski High School and plans to study agricultural business at Lincoln Land Community College.

The $2,000 scholarship recipients were Brody Baker and Mark Maaks.

Brody Baker is the son of Randy Baker and Dara Entwistle. Baker attends Hartsburg Emden High School and plans to study agriculture communications at Heartland Community College.

Mark Maaks is the son of Michael and Tracy Maaks of New Holland. Maaks attends Lincoln Community High School and plans to study Diesel Technician at Illinois Central College. Maaks’ scholarship is for a trade scholarship, which was a new scholarship offered this year.

Opperman said Logan County is one of the largest sponsors for scholarships and thanked everyone who helped make these scholarships possible.

[Angela Reiners with photos by Nila Smith]