AMES – A pair of high schoolers from Gilman and Traer took home the top scholarship prizes at the Beef Scholarship Extravaganza hosted by the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation on Dec. 7th. Youth Beef Team members (Team MIYBT), Megan Pansegrau and Jake Hlas will split $3,000 in scholarship money.
Beef Extravaganza took place at the Hansen Ag Learning Center on the Iowa State University campus, and 26 teams competed. The scholarship event, which is for students interested in cattle and beef production, involved over 70 high school students from around Iowa. They competed for cash scholarship awards for the top four teams that totaled $7,650. Students were challenged at 10 different stations to demonstrate their skills and knowledge.
The second place team, from northeast Iowa, included Elizabeth Smith, Decorah, and Mary McDonough, Olwein. They will split a scholarship totaling $2,250.
The MCB team members Lauren Mosher from Conrad and Madelynn Green from State Center won third place and $750 each. The fourth place team was Atlantic FFA #1 with team members Cale Pellett and Emily Saeugling. They will each receive $450 scholarships.
Scholarship dollars won at the Extravaganza can be used at any university or community college. In addition, if the student will be attending Iowa State University College of Agriculture, Kirkwood Community College, Hawkeye Community College, Muscatine Community College, Des Moines Area Community College, Indian Hills Community College or Iowa Lakes Community College, those institutions offer additional matching scholarships to students on the top four teams.
Team scores at the 10 different stations were added to determine the winners. Each station tested specific skills and knowledge of the students. Teams scoring the highest number of points at each station were also awarded plaques.
Sponsors of the event are: Farm Credit Services of America; Purina Animal Nutrition, LLC; Iowa Beef Breeds Council; Iowa State University and the Hansen Ag Learning Center Staff; Muir Embroidery; and Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation.