EAST GRAND FORKS, Minn. — Northern Plains Potato Growers Association and Potato Bowl USA have announced their 2021 scholarship winners. We wish these young scholars the best in their future endeavors.
NPPGA Research and Education Foundation $1,500 Scholarship
Katlyn Balstad attended Fosston High School in Fosston, Minnesota where she maintained a 4.0 GPA. She is currently attending North Dakota State University where she is double majoring in Management Communications and Crop and Weed Sciences.
Katlyn has been on the Deans List for the past five semesters and she received the NDSU Presidential Honor Scholarship. She is the current CEO of her sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta. She has served as President of the Crossroads Lutheran Campus Ministry. She is also involved in NDFSU Student Government as the Assistant Justice on the Student Court of Justice where she won Justice of the Year. She is a member of the Order of Omega Honor Society and the Blue Key Honor Society.
Her parents are Marlys and Scott Balstad of Fosston, Minnesota.
NPPGA Research and Education Foundation $1,500 Scholarship
Peter Loyland attended Central High School in Thompson, North Dakota where he carried a 4.0 GPA.
Peter was involved with band, choir, FHA, and boys/girls state. He is a three year varsity athlete in hockey and soccer, where he was a captain of the team.
He has volunteered at the CVIC, Special Olympics, and the Walk For Autism at the University of North Dakota. Also bell ringing for the Salvation Army.
Peter will be attending St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. His interest is in engineering.
His parents are Mark and Karna Loyland of Thompson, North Dakota.
Potato Bowl $1,000 Scholarship and Ambassador
Linnea Grotte is a 2020 graduate of Thompson (ND) High School and is currently starting her sophomore year at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks . At UND, Linnea is studying plant and food science with a career goal of becoming a plant breeder.
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At Thompson High School, Linnea was an honor student and graduated with a 3.9 GPA. She participated in the FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America), FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), the National Honor Society, SADD (Students Against Destructive Behavior), chess club, athletics, band, choir, FHA, theatre groups, student council and Girls State.
Linnea has done volunteer work for these organizations: The Northland Rescue Mission, Altru Hospital, Valley Memorial Homes, the Grand Fork Backpack Program and the CVIC.
Linnea is the daughter of Kelly and Joni Grotte from Thompson, ND.
Potato Bowl $1,000 Scholarship and Ambassador
Elias Markesun is a 2021 graduate of Park River (ND) High Scholl where he was an honor student with at 3.95 GPA. Elias plans to attend NDSU this fall to pursue a major in Ag Economics. He would like to return to the Park River community after graduation.
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In high school Elias was on the A Honor Roll all four years, a member of the National Honor society and President of the FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) his senior year. He also participated in golf, football, hockey, band and choir.
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Volunteer work included planting trees in the community, teaching young hockey players and tutoring for the National Honor Society. Other volunteer work included grooming the Park River cross country ski trail, working at the Park River hockey arena and the Park River baseball complex, charity fund raising and serving meals at his church.
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Elias is the son of Jon and Shannon Markusen of Park River, ND.
— NPPGA