Kansas Livestock Association
MANHATTAN – Thirty-five scholarship winners for the 2025-26 school year were recognized during the annual Kansas Livestock Association (KLA) Convention November 19 in Manhattan. A total of $39,500 was presented by the Kansas Livestock Foundation (KLF) and its partners.
Sadie Marchiano of Fort Scott received a $1,500 Cartridges for Cash (CFC) Scholarship from Merck Animal Health and KLF. Marchiano is attending the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University. She is the daughter of Gary and Kylene Palmer. This award recognizes K-State veterinary school students with a career goal of being a large animal veterinarian.
Seven K-State students received $1,000 CFC Scholarships through KLF. Kennedy Coffin from McLouth is the daughter of Abby and Michael Coffin. She is a junior majoring in feed and pet food science. Lauren Ellenz of Tipton, daughter of Lester and Michelle Ellenz, is a junior majoring in animal sciences and industry (ASI). Caleigh Iwanski, daughter of Craig and Jessica Iwanski of Stockton, is a second-year master’s student majoring in animal breeding and genetics. Olivia Rickel from Mayetta, daughter of Jerry and Chasity Rickel, is a junior majoring in ASI. Taylor Rowe from Ozawkie is the daughter of Terri and Jace Rowe. She also is a junior majoring in ASI. Maiya Shelor is the daughter of Matthew and Marsha Shelor of Minneola and is a sophomore majoring ASI and agricultural sales. Emery Yoho of Yates Center, daughter of Quentin and Hollie Yoho, is a junior majoring in ASI and agricultural business. These scholarships are presented to students entering or returning to a Kansas community or senior college and pursuing degrees in agriculture or a related field. CFC scholarships are funded by Merck’s donation of 25¢ for each used Ralgro wheel and Revalor cartridge turned in to KLA. In 2024, members from Finney County turned in the most cartridges. As a result, one student from that county was awarded a $1,000 CFC scholarship. Kami Whipple, daughter of Toby and Michelle Whipple, is a sophomore at Fort Hays State University (FHSU) studying agricultural business and marketing.
Two Equity Bank $2,500 scholarships were awarded to Nissa Olsen of Manhattan and Paige Soper from Baldwin City. Olsen is the daughter of Livia Olsen and is a senior majoring in ASI at K-State. Soper, daughter of Austin and Amanda Soper, also is a senior attending K-State and majoring in ASI. Equity Bank provides services for KLA and its affiliated entities and is proud to support KLF scholarships.
Two students received $1,500 Doug Laue Memorial Scholarships. Luke Bates is the son of Jeff and Jeri Bates from Beloit. He is a junior majoring in ASI at K-State. Payton Walk, son of Paul and Melissa Walk from Tribune, is a senior majoring in ASI at K-State. These scholarships are awarded to students entering their junior or senior year at K-State or FHSU and pursuing degrees in agriculture.
The $1,000 Scott Johnson and Family Scholarship was awarded to Rylie Meinhardt of Onaga. She is the daughter of Bryndon and Julie Meinhardt and is a sophomore majoring in ASI at K-State. This scholarship is awarded to any student attending K-State and pursuing a degree in ASI, agricultural communications, agricultural business or agricultural economics.
Isom Marston of Canton received a $1,000 Glenn & Glyde Lindstrom scholarship. Marston is the son of Shad and Thea Marston. He is a sophomore majoring in agriculture at Hutchinson Community College. This scholarship is awarded to a student of sophomore level or above attending a Kansas junior or senior college and pursuing a degree in agriculture. Preference is given to students residing within the boundaries of Unified School District 400 in northern McPherson and southern Saline counties.
The Alfred Barby Memorial $1,000 Scholarship was awarded to Sawyer Stone of Medicine Lodge. Stone is the son of Todd and Elisa Stone. He is a freshman at K-State majoring in pre-veterinary medicine. This scholarship is given in memory of Alfred Barby, a longtime KLA member from Meade.
Madison Scott received the $500 Fred H. Woodbury Memorial Scholarship through KLF. Scott is the daughter of Stacia Spencer of Pomona. She is a freshman at FHSU majoring in agricultural business and animal science. This scholarship is presented to a student attending a Kansas junior or senior college and pursuing a degree in agriculture. Preference is given to students residing within Chase, Franklin, Lyon, Osage or Wabaunsee counties.
The $1,500 Grass & Grain Scholarship was awarded to Adelaide Haverkamp, the daughter of Neal and Marya Haverkamp from Bern. She is a freshman at K-State majoring in agricultural communications. Funds for this scholarship were raised through the donation of an advertising package auctioned at the 2024 KLA Convention.
Ty Scheer of Garden Plain and Emma Walker from Baxter Springs each were awarded a $1,000 scholarship from GoBob America’s Ranch Equipment and KLF. Scheer is the son of Doug and Teresa Scheer. He is a sophomore at K-State majoring in agricultural business. Walker is the daughter of Jason and Mandy Walker and is a sophomore majoring in ASI at K-State. These scholarships are awarded to students entering or returning to a Kansas community or senior college and pursuing degrees in agriculture or a related field.
Two $1,000 Hampel Oil/Mobil Delvac Scholarships were presented. Kylee Pfeifer, daughter of Brandon and Chandra Pfeifer of Ellis, is a junior majoring in agricultural business at FHSU. Abigail Robinson is the daughter of Paul Phillips and Rhayme Keeley from Hoyt. She is a junior at K-State majoring in agricultural business. These scholarships are awarded to students entering their junior or senior year at K-State or FHSU and pursuing degrees in agronomy, agricultural business or agricultural economics. Preference is given to applicants with a career goal of being actively engaged in a farming or feedyard enterprise.
Four K-State students each received a Rally House EAT BEEF $1,000 scholarship. Carter Rock, son of Scott and Valerie Rock from Chapman, is a freshman majoring in agricultural technology management and agricultural business at K-State. Dustin Dentonof Blue Rapids, son of John and Angie Denton, is a freshman majoring in pre-veterinary medicine at K-State. Jackson McCurry,Colwich, is a freshman majoring in agricultural business and ASI at K-State. He is the son of Jesse and Rhonda McCurry. Kacey Butler, daughter of David and Karla Butler from Junction City, is a senior at K-State majoring in agricultural education. Rally House partners with KLA to support the KLF scholarship program through the sales of EAT BEEF merchandise.
The Kansas CattleWomen (KCW) awarded two $1,000 scholarships. Addison Green Russell of Downs is the daughter of Stephen and Samantha Russell. She is a freshman majoring in global food systems leadership and public health at K-State. Haylee Lanham, daughter of Scott Lanham from Kincaid, is a freshman at Fort Scott Community College majoring in agricultural business. These scholarships are awarded to students entering or returning to a Kansas community or senior college and pursuing degrees in dietetics, food safety, agriculture or a related field.
Seven students received $1,000 “Youth in Agriculture” scholarships from KLF. Breck Averhoff is the son of Kyle and Michelle Averhoff from Garden City. He is a freshman majoring in agricultural business at K-State. Dalton Debler, Alma, is the son of Randall and Erin Debler. He is a freshman majoring in agricultural business at Butler Community College. Clay Guttery of Alton is the son of Brice and Shana Guttery. He is a freshman at K-State majoring in agronomy and wildlife and outdoor enterprise management. Gwyn Jantz is the daughter of Heather Jantz and Aaron Albers from Montezuma. She is a freshman majoring in agricultural business and construction science and management at K-State. Rhett Kats, son of Michael and Shannon Kats of Prairie View, is a freshman at Colby Community College majoring in animal science. Tate Miller of Manhattan is the son of Scott and Katie Miller. He is a junior majoring in agricultural business at Southwestern College. Taydem Mitzner is the daughter of Levi and Tressie Mitzner from Penokee. She is a freshman attending K-State and majoring in ASI. Funded by the KLF Club Calf Sale held during the Kansas Junior Livestock Show, these scholarships recognize students entering or returning to a Kansas junior or senior college and pursuing degrees in agriculture or a related field.
KLF was established in 1983 to operate solely for charitable, scientific and educational purposes. For information about KLF scholarship opportunities or to receive an application, contact the foundation at 6031 SW 37th St., Topeka, KS 66614 or email [email protected].
KLA is a 5,500-member trade organization representing the state’s livestock business on legislative, regulatory and industry issues at both the state and federal levels. The association’s work is funded through voluntary dues dollars paid by its members.