ROBSTOWN, Texas — Texas Farm Credit, a rural lending cooperative, recently awarded $10,000 in scholarships to five students across the state through the 2017 Marsha Martin Scholarship Program.
The scholarships honor the memory of Marsha Pyle Martin, a native of Paris, Texas, who at the time of her death in January 2000 was chairman and chief executive officer of the Farm Credit Administration, which regulates the nationwide Farm Credit System.
Since 2000, the co-op has presented $126,500 in college scholarships to students who are pursuing agriculture-related fields. The recipients of this year’s $2,000 scholarships are Sarah Bludau of Hallettsville, Landon Boland of Sanger, David De La Fuente of Somerset, Tommy Johnson of Willis and Casey Sullivan of Robstown.
“These young students are the future of agriculture,” said Mark Miller, Texas Farm Credit chief executive officer. “It is our pleasure to invest in their futures as they invest in ours, and recognize those students who excel in their FFA chapters and 4-H clubs while they continue to grow and lead in the industry.”
Miller noted the students’ accomplishments:
Sarah Bludau, a senior at Hallettsville High School, plans to attend Texas A&M University this fall to major in animal science. She has been active in 4-H for 10 years, holding many leadership positions, including 2015 County Council Chairman for Lavaca County. She is involved in many school activities, including student council, 4-H, band, sports and the National Honor Society.
Dedicated to raising cancer awareness, Bludau served as a Relay for Life team captain for the American Cancer Society.
Landon Boland, a senior at Sanger High School, is headed to North Central Texas College this fall to study agricultural fisheries and wildlife. As a member of FFA and 4-H during the past nine years, Boland has been a chapter officer, and has participated in the state qualifying meats evaluation team, livestock evaluation team, agriculture advocacy and the agriculture issues forum, as well as competing in major livestock shows.
Boland is a recipient of the Lone Star FFA Degree.
David De La Fuente, a senior at Somerset High School, plans to pursue a degree in international agriculture and rural development at Cornell University’s College of Agriculture in the fall. An FFA member since 2011, De La Fuente has held multiple leadership positions for Somerset FFA Chapter and the Alamo FFA district, planning several events, including Ag Olympics. He authored the FFA Food for All Grant and led his chapter to second place in the state to receive the grant. With those funds, he spearheaded a community garden that produced 600 pounds of produce for the San Antonio Food Bank.
De La Fuente was a senator and lieutenant governor in the Student Legislative Session at the Texas state capitol. He is also a founding member of the National Parks Conservation Association Texas Teen Council, and has volunteered with several nonprofit organizations.
Tommy Johnson, a senior at Willis High School, will attend Stephen F. Austin State University this fall to pursue a degree in wildlife management. An active FFA member for four years, he has served twice as team leader for the farm skills team, and helped start and lead the wildlife judging team. He has competed in public speaking contests, placing first in district, and placed third in the district competition as a freshman. He has been recognized as the FFA Outstanding Sophomore, as well as Player of the Year on his golf team.
A member of the National Honor Society, Johnson has done volunteer work through his church, served as a baseball umpire and was a local conservation ambassador through Texas Brigades.
Casey Sullivan, a senior at Banquete High School, is headed to Texas A&M University in Kingsville this fall to study agriculture education. She has been involved in agriculture for the past 10 years and has held officer and leadership positions in FFA and 4-H. She earned the 4-H Gold Star award and FFA Lone Star Degree, and advanced to state level with her swine proficiency project.
Sullivan also was selected as Outstanding Greenhand and received the Outstanding Chapter FFA award. She was captain for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life event, and led her team in working and fundraising for a local homeless shelter.
Texas Farm Credit finances agricultural operations, agribusinesses, rural homes, and the purchase and improvement of rural real estate such as farms, ranches and recreational property. It also provides an array of financial services such as crop insurance and pasture, rangeland and forage insurance. Headquartered in Robstown, it has lending offices in Athens, Bandera, Beaumont, Bonham, Brenham, Clarksville, Fairfield, Gainesville, Hebbronville, Nacogdoches, Paris, Pleasanton, Raymondville, Robstown, San Antonio, Sulphur Springs, The Woodlands, Tyler, Uvalde and Weslaco.
—Texas Farm Credit
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