NILE Scholarship Program

For 30 years, the NILE has awarded scholarships to deserving FFA and 4-H students that have been actively involved in their respective programs and communities, excelled in the classroom, and participated in NILE events. "Few things are as essential to survival as production agriculture! Therefore, we must continue to create and support AGvocates," says Jennifer Boka, General Manager of the NILE. "The NILE is proud to increase educational opportunities for youth through scholarships! The NILE, supporting the future of agriculture, through today’s youth."

Since 1990, the NILE and NILE Foundation has awarded over $950,000 in cash and 'live animal' scholarships to deserving youth active in 4-H, FFA, and their communities. The following recipients excelled in the classroom while participating in NILE events.

Similar to previous years, scholarships were awarded on various levels described below:

A one-time $1,000 scholarship awarded to graduating high school seniors that will continue their education at a college or vocational school.
A one-time $2,000 "Shining Star Award" is a new scholarship offered to a graduating high school senior that excelled academically, in their community, and at NILE Events.
Collegiate Scholarships are $1,000 one-time grant, for students already enrolled in college or a vo-tech school.
The Rolling Scholarships are offered to a select group of high school seniors who may renew the scholarship annually for up to four years of their secondary education. Recipients for the 2020 rolling scholarships were chosen from the pool of applicants that are current seniors in High School.
$500 scholarship aptly named the NILE Legacy Award. This award goes to one student, either a high school senior or college student, based on their involvement in NILE and NILE activities.

The NILE Foundation was established in 2009 as a supporting arm of the NILE organization, which is dedicated to the promotion of livestock, agriculture education and respect for the western culture.

Each year the NILE and NILE Foundation touch the lives of nearly 10,000 youth through the many programs, events, "live" animal scholarships, and college scholarships. Together, these organizations provide over $75,000 in cash and live animal scholarships annually.

If you're interested in contributing to the NILE Foundation send a donation to P.O. Box 1981, Billings, MT 59103

2021 One Time Freshman Recipients - $1,000

Skyler David

Skyler David is the daughter of Jonathan & Carrie David of Miles City, MT. She is currently a student at Custer County District High School, where she will graduate in May. Skyler plans to attend Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming to study Animal Science with a proposed career in Animal Pharmacology.

Cody Johannes

Cody will be attending Montana State University in Bozeman, MT were he plans to study Pre-Veterinary Science. Cody's future plans include attending Veterinary School and becoming a large animal Veterinarian. In May, Cody will graduate from Huntley Project High School. Cody is the son of Clint & Cheri Johannes of Worden, MT.

Peighton Kendrick

Peighton is the daughter of Mitch & Erin Kendrick of Otis, Colorado. After graduation from Otis Jr/Sr High School, she plans to attend Northeastern Junior College to participate on the Livestock Judging Team and study Agribusiness and Journalism. Peighton plans to become an Attorney for the child foster care system and an Ag Journalist.

Asha Malcolm

Asha Malcolm plans to attend Montana State University - Bozeman where she plans to study Microbiology and Pre-Veterinary Science. Her future plans include becoming a Veterinarian specializing in Reproductive Health. Asha is the daughter of Will & Sabrina Malcolm of Livingston, MT.

Jonna McCullough

Jonna McCullough is a soon-to-be-graduate of Geraldine High School. She is the daughter of Jack & Laurie McCullough of Geraldine, Montana. Jonna plans to attend Casper College to study Elementary Education with hopes of obtaining a teaching position in a rural area and continue ranching and showing after college. While at Casper College, Jonna will participate as a member of the Livestock Judging Team.

Jayci Mekelburg

Jayci Mekelburg is the daughter of BJ & Jill Mekelburg of Eckley, Colorado. Jayci will graduate in May from Yuma High School and plans to attend West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas to study Agribusiness & Economics to focus on becoming an Agricultural Financial Analyst in the future.

Ali Jo Merritt

Ali Jo Merritt is the daughter of Roger & Leigh Merritt of Savage, Montana. Currently, Ali Jo is a soon-to-be graduate at Sidney High School where she will graduate in May. After graduation, she plans to attend Montana State University - Bozeman to pursue a degree in Animal Science - option of Livestock Management & Industry.

Marie Stott

Edith "Marie" is the daughter of Cory & Katie Stott of Ballantine, Montana. After graduation from Huntley Project High School, she plans to attend Brigham Young University - Idaho to study Choral Education. Marie plans to work as a Choir Teacher and provide private voice lessons after college.

2021 Shining Star Freshman Scholarship - $2,000

Braden West

Braden West plans to attend Casper College to Livestock Judge and major in Agriculture Education with future plans of becoming an Agriculture Education Teacher. Braden is a soon-to-be graduate of Sheridan High School in Sheridan, WY. He is the son of Justin & Rindy West of Sheridan, Wyoming.

2021 Secondary Scholarship Recipients - $1,000

Lexy Dietz

Lexy Dietz is the daughter of Russell & Stacy Dietz of Shepherd, MT. She is currently a student at Williston State College where she is studying Agriculture Science and is a member of the Williston State College Softball Team. Lexy has hopes of becoming an Embryologist after college.

Brooke Johnson

Brooke is the daughter of Evan & Stephanie Johnson of Huntley, Montana. Brooke attends Montana State University - Bozeman and is majoring in Agriculture Education with hopes of becoming an Agriculture Education Teacher or County Extension Agent.

McKenzie Mork

McKenzie Mork is the daughter of Don & Ann Mork of Sanders, MT. Currently, McKenzie is a sophomore at Montana State University - Bozeman studying Animal Science with a minor in Genetics. McKenzie's future plans include researching genetics for cattle breed associations.

Madalyn Rohr

Madalyn Rohr is a current freshman at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. Madalyn is studying Agriculture Communications and Journalism with hopes of locating a job on the Communications team for a livestock or equine company or association. She is the daughter of Mitch & Lea Rohr of Elbert, Colorado.

Kyle Steiger

Native of Pompey's Pillar, Montana and son of Larry and the late Natalie Steiger. Kyle currently resides on Scottsdale, Arizona were he is a resident at Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine working towards an MD in Medicine. At the completion of his of his time at Mayo Clinic, Kyle has hopes of returning to Montana with his family to work as a General MD at a local rural clinic.

Tara Tellefson

Tara Tellefson is pursuing a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education at Western Governors University in Kent, Washington. Tara is the daughter of Miles & Lisa Tellefson of Warden, Washington. Her future hopes include teaching at an Elementary School.

2021 Rolling Scholarship Recips- $1,000 Annually

Elizabeth Hickey

Elizabeth is a soon-to-graduate of Hobson High School. She is the daughter of Pat & Karen Hickey of Moore, Montana. Elizabeth plans to attend either Montana Tech University or Washington State University to study Pre-Med/Biochemistry with plans of working in Radiation Oncology.

Wade Leachman

Wade Leachman is the son of Eric & Marlo Leachman of Toston, Montana. Wade will graduate in May from Broadwater High School and plans to attend Casper College to major in Agribusiness. Wade plans to raise Simmental and Angus cattle for a seed stock operation after college.

Nyssa Schairer

Nyssa is the daughter of Garrett & Julie Schairer of Corvallis, MT. Nyssa is currently attending Corvallis High School where she will graduate in June and plans to attend Montana State University - Bozeman to major in Animal Science and Pre-Veterinary Science. Nyssa hopes become a Large Animal Veterinarian after college.

2020 Rolling Scholarship Recips - $1,000 Annually

Nathan Hill

Nathan Hill is a soon-to-graduate of Broadwater High School. He is the son of David & Julianne Hill of Townsend, Montana. Nathan plans to attend Montana State University - Bozeman to study Civil Engineering with hopes of becoming a Civil Engineer focusing on Agriculture Applications and Avalanche Studies.

Kelty Raciborski

Kelty Raciborski is the daughter of Travis & Jessica Stroh of Glendive, Montana. Kelty will graduate in May and will attend Montana State University in Bozeman, where she plans to major in Animal Science and Genetics. Kelty hopes to obtain a degree as a Veterinarian after college.

Alyssa Thormahlen

Alyssa is the daughter of Dennis Thormahlen Jr. and Lori LeBrun of Bridger, MT. Alyssa is currently attending Belfry High School where she will graduate in May. Alyssa plans to attend Northwest College in Powell, WY to major in Animal Science and Veterinary Assistant. Alyssa's hopes are to become a Veterinarian after college.

2019 Rolling Scholarship Recips - $1,000 Annually

Brandi Fuller

Brandi Fuller is attending the University of Wyoming in Laramie, WY majoring in Ag Business. Brandi is the daughter of Pat and Angel Fuller of Wright, WY. Brandi has become involved in a variety of collegiate agriculture clubs and looks forward to returning to the NILE in 2020 to exhibit and sell calves.

Bethany Lyford

Bethany Lyford is the daughter of Joel and Helen Lyford of Kalispell, MT. Bethany is currently attending Montana State University in Bozeman, MT pursuing a degree in Animal Science, with a focus in Livestock Management. Her future goals include working as an Embryologist.

Claire Stevenson

Claire Stevenson is a current college freshman at Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, California studying Microbiology. Claire's future plans include working as a Researcher after completing college. Claire is the daughter of Darrell and Sara Stevenson of Hobson, MT.

2018 Rolling Scholarship Recips - $1,000 Annually

Mamie Hertel

It is with great pleasure that we share the news that NILE Scholar, Mamie Hertel is currently the 2019-2020 Central Region Vice-President for the National FFA Organization. Mamie has been agvocating all over the nation for youth in Agriculture, thus she has put her secondary education on pause. Mamie is the daughter of Koly Hertel and Ruth Boedecker of Lewistown, MT.

Lainee Hill

Lainee Hill is the daughter of David and Julianne Hill of Townsend, MT. Laniee is attending Montana State University in Bozeman, MT pursuing a degree in Animal Science. Her future goals include working in the field of Veterinary Medicine in rural Montana.

Andrea Rutledge

Andrea is the daughter of Kelly and Kristie Rutledge of Big Sandy, MT. Andrea is attending Montana State University in Bozeman, MT majoring in Animal Science, with a focus on Livestock Management and Industry. Andrea hopes to work as an the field of Beef Reproduction after completing college.

2021 NILE Legacy Scholarship - $500

Cody Arnold

Cody Arnold is the son of Rhonda Arnold of Chinook, MT. Currently, Cody is a soon-to-be graduate at Chinook High School where he will graduate in May. After graduation, he plans to attend Montana State Northern University in Havre, MT to pursue a degree in Farm Mechanics/Diesel Tech/Welding Tech. Cody's NILE Involvement includes participation in the NILE Angus Futurity Shows in 2017-2020, Assisted consignors with sale heifers in the Angus and Red Angus Sales and has been a junior exhibitor.

Thank you!

Scholarships