Missouri State Fair announces Youth in Agriculture Scholarship winners

SEDALIA, Mo. – Missouri State Fair Director Jason Moore announced today that 62 youth, selected from Missouri 4-H and FFA State Fair exhibitors, will be awarded scholarships by the Missouri State Fair and the Youth in Agriculture (YIA) committee. These students are seeking higher education at a university/college of their choice and will be recognized on April 24, 2025 during the annual State FFA Convention in Columbia.

Scholarship applicants were evaluated in a variety of areas including Missouri State Fair participation, grade point average, community involvement and leadership roles. Since 1992, the Youth in Agriculture committee has now awarded 941 scholarships totaling $1,190,250.

The scholarships are funded through the generosity of Youth in Agriculture sponsors and buyers of the livestock sold during the annual Sale of Champions; the sponsors and buyers list is available online. A portion of each animal’s total sale value is allocated to the scholarship program. Support of the scholarship program was also provided by the Betty Jane Bell Trust, BTC Bank, Edward Jones and Associates, MFA, Missouri State Fair Concessionaires, Missouri State Fair Foundation, The Climate Fieldview Corp., Hayden Freedom Foundation, and Wheeler Auctions.

Hayden Duncan, of Centertown, has been selected to receive the $5,000 S. Wayne Yokley Platinum Scholarship sponsored by Youth in Agriculture supporters.

Gage Swindler, of Braymer, has been selected to receive the $3,500 Sharon Topliff Scholarship sponsored by Youth in Agriculture supporters.

Cash Honeycutt, of Richmond, has been selected to receive the $2,500 supreme scholarship, sponsored by Sydenstricker Nobbe Partners/Sydenstricker Genetics.

Clayton Jennings, of Laddonia,

Carsyn Petree, of Tipton,

Reid Ragsdale, of Holliday,

and Joseph Robinson, of Richmond,

have been selected to receive the $2,500 scholarships offered by the Missouri State Fair Foundation.

Harlee Beck, of Chillicothe,

Addison Fansler, of Auxvasse,

Sophia Geppert, of Kingdom City,

Haley Imhoff, of Blackwater,

Callie Jennings, of Laddonia,

Samuel L. Jordan, of Savannah,

Madeliene Pollard, of Lathrop,

Brayden Reid, of Concordia, and

Adam Rhoades, of Centralia,

have been selected to receive the $2,000 scholarships sponsored by Bell Trust.

The youth chosen to receive $1,750 scholarships, sponsored by MFA, Inc. & MFA Oil Co., are:

Rylee Anderson, Chillicothe
Austin Bartholomew, Keytesville
Mallorie Beck, Sarcoxie
Gracie Carlson, Weston
Miriam Cook, Mayview

The youth chosen to receive $1,750 scholarships, sponsored by Youth in Agriculture supporters, are:

Raymond Cunningham, Salem
Landon Diebal, Hermann
Ivy Elwell, La Monte
Abigail Haas, Curryville
Brayden Hallford, California
Emma Henderson, Gallatin
Lanie Hill, Linneus
Chloe Hodge, New Hampton
Rebecca Hunt, Braymer
Rhett Keaton, Anderson
Addison Kemper, Hawk Point
Karsyn Ann Kleeman, Braymer
Chase Litton, Boonville
John Ross Malter, Smithville
Jaelyn McDonald, Lone Jack
Callie McWilliams, Shelbina
Isabella Miller, Jonesburg
Kylie Miller, Vandalia
Kenzie Milligan, Ridgeway
Langston Mitchell, Cassville
Nina Momphard, Troy
Jillian Mudd, Knob Noster
Chris Nelson, Crocker
Paisley Grace Nelson, Camden Point
Reagan O’Farrell, Appleton City
Josie Peck, Sedalia
Crista Perry, Salisbury
Anna Pfaff, Chillicothe
Mallory Reed, Green Ridge
Avery Ridgley, Jonesburg
Kentley Rieder, El Dorado Springs
Megan Marie Riegel, Excelsior Springs
Bailey Riley, Marshall
Kate Robnett, Laddonia
Christian Siegel, California
Leanna Smith, Braymer
Clare Staley, Rea
Beau Triplett, Rutledge
Reagan Vehige, Wright City
Abigail White, Mayview
Brenna Whitlow, Queen City
Tyne Wilson, Pleasant Hill

The Youth in Agriculture committee is comprised of volunteers from across the state who work throughout the year to raise funds for the annual Sale of Champions auction and scholarships. This year’s auction will be held Saturday, Aug. 16, in the Lowell Mohler Assembly Hall on the fairgrounds.