The North Dakota State Fair Foundation awards scholarships North Dakota graduating high school seniors. To be eligible for the scholarship a student must; be a resident of North Dakota, have plans to enroll in an accredited post-secondary education institution or trade school, have exhibited and/or competed in 4-H and/or FFA at the North Dakota State Fair for a minimum of three years, and have been a member of 4-H or FFA for a minimum of four years.
All applicants meeting the scholarship criteria will be honored as the “North Dakota State Fair Graduating Class ” at a reception during the Fair at which time the names of all candidates will be entered into a random drawing. Six $1000 scholarships will be drawn for and awarded. Students must be present to win.
Hess Corporation, through the North Dakota State Fair Foundation, offers eight scholarships to high school seniors who are current members of either 4-H or FFA and are pursuing secondary education or training in a career related to or in support of the oil and gas industry. This program will include three $10,000 scholarships and five $2,000 scholarships for a total of $40,000 being given to North Dakota students.
Also as part of the Hess Contribution, multiple 4-H Club and FFA Chapter Grants will be available. Grants can be used for community service projects or North Dakota State Fair Participation.
North Dakota State Fair Graduating Class of 2022
The North Dakota State Fair Foundation understands the importance of competitive and agricultural experiences for our youth. The Foundation works to create multiple scholarships that are awarded to North Dakota high school seniors each year.
Thirty-two high school seniors from across North Dakota were named to the “North Dakota State Fair Graduating Class of 2022.” Applicants had to be 4-H or FFA members in North Dakota and meet a range of criteria, including the requirement of competing and/or exhibiting at the North Dakota State Fair for a minimum of three years. The graduates were honored in a presentation on Wednesday, July 27 as part of the North Dakota State Fair. From the pool of honorees, six $1000 scholarships were drawn.
Scholarship winners include: Alison Betz from Douglas, Kayla Gjerke from Beulah, Ayla Hovland from Harwood, Kiley Kvamme from Kindred, Faith Norby from Manning, and Aiden Sears from Wheatland.
Other individuals named to the 2022 Graduating Class but not receiving scholarships include: Linnea Axtman from Fargo, Laurae Beaudrie from Velva, Rayna Blegen from Keene, Taylor Cattin from Kenmare, Carson Enger from Stanley, Jamie Geyer from Lisbon, Elizabeth Heger from Underwood, Kayla Hoffman from Alice, Regan Jones from Bowdon, Katrina Just from Berlin, Keily Thomas from Tappen, Mason Kraft from Minot, Rhea Laib from Mercer, Emma Neshem from Berthold, Kadence Reiser from Turtle Lake, JayCee Richter from Linton, Molly Robbins from LaMoure, Anne Schauer from Berthold, Shayden Schiele from Balfour, Reanna Schmidt from Center, Hannah Strong from Rolette, Lindsey Vachal from White Earth, Jocelyn Vachal from Ross, Rose Wendel from LaMoure, Sadie Weninger from Velva, and Kendyl Hoger from New Salem.
Todd Berning, President of the North Dakota State Fair Foundation, says the Foundation is in its third year honoring a North Dakota State Fair Graduating Class, but it has been giving scholarships to 4-H and FFA students for the past several years. “These students are top notch,” Berning said. “We are always impressed by their accomplishments and the skills they have learned through their involvement in 4-H and FFA, and through projects and participation at the North Dakota State Fair,” he added.
Scholarship Winners
Left to Right: Kayla Gierke, Kylie Kvamme, Aidan Sears, NDSF Manager Renae Korslien, Ayla Hovland, Faith Norby (Not pictured: Alison Betz).
2022 Hess Scholarship Winners
Left to Right: Brent Lohnes, Sara Potts, Ben Scheresky, Sahyden Schiele, Lindsey Vachal, Katrina Just, Mason Kraft, Landyn Miller
Eight North Dakota 4-H and FFA high school seniors have been selected to receive a combined total of $40,000 in scholarships from Hess Corporation awarded through the North Dakota State Fair (NDSF) Foundation. All awardees are pursuing secondary education or training related to or in support of the oil and gas industry.
Three $10,000 scholarship winners include Landyn Miller from Baldwin, Katrina Just from Berlin, and Mason Kraft from Minot.
- Landyn Miller, a Wilton High School graduate, enjoys learning about factors that influence markets and how they shape the economy. This interest is prompting him to study Business, Finance and Economics at Bismarck State College in the fall.
- Minot High School student, Mason Kraft, has found a passion for agriculture throughout his years in 4-H and FFA, but a current internship with Gooseneck Implement is what determined his future career path. He will be attending North Dakota State College of Science to pursue a degree in John Deere Diesel Technology.
- Katrina Just plans to start her education as a Registered Nurse through Bismarck State College. The LaMoure High School graduate wants a career that allows her to make a difference in the lives of others living in rural North Dakota.
Other scholarship winners receiving awards of $2000 each include:
- Anne Schauer from Carpio, ND will be attending Bismarck State College to study Education.
- Lindsey Vachal from White Earth, ND will attend North Dakota State University to study Pre-Veterinary and Animal Science.
- Ben Scheresky from Max, ND will attend North Dakota State University to study Agricultural Economics.
- Shayden Schiele from Balfour, ND will attend North Dakota State College of Science to study Farm Management.
- Sarah Potts from Minot, ND will attend Dickinson State University to study Range Management and Natural Resource Management.
The selection committee included the NDSF Foundation executive director and representatives from the NDSF board, NDSF Foundation board, community leaders, 4-H, FFA and an oil and gas industry representative. Ron Ness was asked to serve on the selection committee as the oil and gas representative. As president of the North Dakota Petroleum Council, serving as an industry spokesperson and managing the association which represents more than 500 companies in all aspects of North Dakota’s oil and gas industry. Ness has served for many years on the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, the Oil and Gas Research Council, the Empower North Dakota Commission and the Governor’s Revenue Advisory Committee. Ron shared, “It was an honor to participate in the selection process for these scholarship awards. Hess’s contribution to their education and their investment in the 4-H and FFA programs in North Dakota is outstanding. The students and organizations who participated should be proud of their excellent work. I’m excited to see the impact they have on our great state.”
“We are excited to congratulate the scholarship winners. Hess is proud to partner with the North Dakota State Fair Foundation to invest in the youth of North Dakota for a second year,” said Brent Lohnes, Hess General Manager for North Dakota. “I am personally excited to see how these students positively impact the communities where they live and work.”
The scholarship winners will be honored at an awards ceremony on Wednesday, July 27 at 4:00 PM in the Expo Barn at the North Dakota State Fair.
Earlier this year, nine 4-H Clubs and FFA Chapters in North Dakota were selected to receive a $500 grant from Hess Corporation awarded through the North Dakota State Fair Foundation. The grants are being used for community service projects to benefit the club or chapter’s local geographical area or to increase participating in the North Dakota State Fair.