TIMONIUM, Md. — The Maryland State Fair & Agricultural Society, Inc. has awarded multiple college scholarships, with a combined value of approximately $18,000, through its: F. Grove Miller Maryland State Fair Scholarship Program named in recognition of Chairman Emeritus and Honorary Board Member Miller; the Marlin K. Hoff Scholarship Program named in memory of former board member Hoff; and the Miss Maryland Agriculture Scholarship Program.
“Since its inception in 1879, agriculture education has been one of the Maryland State Fair’s top priorities,” said Maryland State Fair General Manager Andy Cashman. “Our competitive scholarships highlight and reward the accomplishments of youth, help them with their educational pursuits, and promote the importance of agriculture to our state and our world.”
The F. Grove Miller Maryland State Fair Scholarship Program annually recognizes the importance of education and participation in the Maryland State Fair. This year, the Maryland State Fair & Agricultural Society, Inc. awarded four $2,000 Scholarships to Maryland youth who have participated as exhibitors at the Maryland State Fair and are enrolled in a post secondary college or trade school or were entering their freshman year at college. Applicants completed an essay on the impact of their experience participating in the Maryland State Fair and how the scholarship will be beneficial in helping them with their career goals.
2020 F. Grove Miller Maryland State Fair Scholarship Winners:
Brietta Latham, of Thurmont in Frederick County, attends The Ohio State University.
Lesley Porterfield, of Chesapeake Beach in Calvert County, attends University of Maryland in College Park.
Marissa Roberts, of Taneytown in Carroll County, attends Mount St. Mary’s University in Maryland.
Caroline Saathoff, of Denton in Caroline County, attends North Carolina State University.
The 2020 Marlin K. Hoff $2,000 Scholarship is awarded to a Maryland youth enrolled in a post-secondary college or trade school, currently or previously enrolled in a 4-H, FFA or breed organization dairy project, and who exhibited at the 2019 Maryland State Fair. The winner was Courtney Schrader of Earleville in Cecil County. Courtney, who attends Salisbury University in Maryland, was selected on the basis of involvement in the dairy industry, academic performance, leadership qualities, future goals, and financial need.
The 2020 Miss Maryland Agriculture Scholarship and Cash Awards valued at approximately $8,000 were awarded to Miss Maryland Agriculture 2020 Kylan Keehan of Harford County. Kylan, a senior in the North Harford High School agriculture magnet program, plans to attend the University of Maryland in 2021. As Miss Maryland Agriculture 2020, she will act as an agriculture ambassador representing Maryland’s leading industry at numerous legislative and special events throughout Maryland.
–Edie Bernier, Maryland State Fair