The Morrow SWCD Board of Supervisors met on April 3rd to determine the recipients of the Morrow SWCD Annual Scholarship, the Robert Wuertz, Jr. Memorial Scholarship, the Don McGinnis Memorial Scholarship and the Steve Ruhl Memorial Scholarship.
The dense pool of applicants was both competitive and impressive. Thank you to all of the student who applied for a 2024 academic scholarship. Without a doubt, the youth of Morrow County are active, learning, leading and inspiring. Morrow SWCD would like to wish the 2024 academic scholarship recipients success in their secondary education and beyond!
Logan McCown – Morrow SWCD Annual Scholarship
The 2024 Morrow Soil and Water Conservation District Annual Scholarship is awarded to Logan McCown. Logan is the son of Steve McCown and is a Senior at Northmor High School. Logan will be attending OSU ATI in the Fall pursuing a degree in Agronomy. During his time at Northmor, he was an active member of the FFA receiving Student Advisor for 2022 and 2023, the current FFA Treasurer, participated in the Equine Judging Team, State Degree, soils team all 4 years, placed 1st at the Agronomy contest and received a Silver Rating on the Chapters Treasurer book and is on pace to receive his American Degree.
Logan has been active in Northmor's LEAD program for 2 years, 4-H, FFA. He has set high goals for his career and has been involved with agriculture for as long as he can remember and if given the opportunity, Logan would like to take over the family farm and expand operations. His long-term goal is to become a Certified Crop Advisor, sell seed and chemicals, and give farmers an upfront approach to what they are purchasing. We wish you the best, and Congratulations, Logan!
Mitchell Sayers – Robert Wuertz, Jr. Memorial Scholarship
The 2024 Robert Wuertz Jr. Memorial Scholarship winner is Mitchell Sayers. Mitchell is the son of Mike and Nicole Sayers of Edison and is a Senior at Mt. Gilead High School. In the Fall, Mitchell plans to attend McPherson College to pursue a degree in Environmental Stewardship. During Mitchell’s 4 years at Mt. Gilead High School, he was FFA Historian and currently President. He received the 3rd highest test score in the State for Ag Power, Grand Champion Welding Exhibit, Grand Champion Rate of Gain Award, Freshman Academic Award, FFA State Degree, and top 20 livestock judging. Mitchell also participated in Football, Basketball, 4-H, Church Youth Group, was chosen as Homecoming King, and maintained a GPA that placed him on the Merit Roll each year at MGHS, as well as many football honors. Congratulations, Mitchell!
Emma Smith – Don McGinnis Memorial Scholarship
Emma Smith, a senior at Northmor High School, is the winner of the 2024 Don McGinnis
Memorial Scholarship. The daughter of Justin and Ashley Smith, Emma grew up helping out on her grandparent’s crop farm, as well as, her family’s rabbitry, “Smith Family Rabbits.” She has raised rabbits and goats through both 4-h and FFA.
Emma is an honor-roll student, but also finds the time to serve as president of the Northmor FFA Chapter and Northmor National Honor Society, treasurer of the Harvesting Memories 4-h Club, and LEAD team member. She is active in show choir, concert band, jazz band and Elementary Cheer coaching. Emma has proudly represented Ohio at the National Summit for Agriscience, as well as, the National Ignite by 4-h summit.
Recently returned from an agriculturally related internship in Thessaloniki, Greece, Emma seeks to further her education as she heads to Purdue University to study agribusiness and crop science. Congratulations, Emma!
Elizabeth Leonhard – Steve Ruhl Memorial Scholarship
Elizabeth Leonhard, of Mount Gilead, is in her second year at Penn Foster College and has been awarded the 2024 Steve Ruhl Memorial Scholarship. The daughter of Larry and Emily Leonhard, Elizabeth plans to continue her veterinary technician training for the health and welfare of animals, as well as their caretakers and consumers. She intends to continue the legacy of the family farm, in addition to, building upon the Limousine seedstock company started by Elizabeth and her sister. With involvement in the Morrow County Fair, the Morrow County Dairy Association, the Morrow County Cattlemen’s Association and as an assistant for the Johnsville Jolly Farmers and Farmettes, Elizabeth continually supports her agricultural community. Congratulations, Elizabeth!