The 2010-11 recipients of the Ray Baptie memorial bursary awards are Becky Koeslag of RR1 Alma; Katherine Clyne of RR1 Harriston; Rebecca Grose of RR2 Alma; and Trevor Koeslag of RR1 Alma.
The award annually given to Wellington County students pursuing post secondary studies in agriculture. Those students will be officially recognized at the WFA annual general meeting in November.
Koeslag is enrolled at the University of Guelph, Ridgetown campus, studying horticulture. She achieved honour roll status for all four years of high school and was awarded the Ryan Giddy memorial award for citizenship.Among many other activities, she is an active member of Alma United Chruch and a 4-H member. She works weekends to help offset her educational costs and is excited to be working towards an agricultural career – likely working with fruits and vegetables.
Clyne is currently in a degree program at the University of Guelph studying animal biology, striving to eventually become a large animal veterinarian. Clyne was the 2010 Wellington County Queen of the Furrow, and represented Wellington County at the 2010 International Plowing Match.
Her accomplishments and volunteerism includes honour roll status and Ontario Scholar status in high school, a member of Wellington County Junior Farmers, co-founder and co-president of the Harriston-Minto Jr. Agricultural Society, and volunteer for Harriston United Church. She is a former lifeguard for Minto, and continues to work on weekends on her family’s dairy farm which is the site of the 2011 Wellington County Plowing Match.
Grose is pursuing a diploma in agriculture-equine major at Kemptville College. She has completed in excess of 65 4-H clubs ranging from gardening and cooking clubs, to scrap booking, public speaking, and horse and poultry clubs. She subscribes to the 4-H motto Learn to Do by Doing. She has an extensive list of awards including the Margaret Bolander award from Grand River Agricultural Society, Gay Lea award of achievement, 2008 4-H achiever of the year award-Western Ontario Region, and was one of two Canadian delegates representing Canada at the 4-H Washington National Conference in 2009.
Koeslag loves farming to the core. He is working towards a diploma in agriculture at the University of Guelph, Ridgetown campus and is looking forward to a life long career in primary agriculture. He completed over 30 4-H clubs, and has volunteered with the Alma Optimists at the Fergus Truck Show and has volunteered in the past to work at the Clifford tractor pull. He took part in a 4-H exchange to Saskatchewan, and continues to volunteer with various church and youth group events for Alma United Church. His diploma in agriculture will help to prepare him with the task that young people today face with owning a farm business.
If anyone knows of a student worthy of next year’s scholarship, they should contact Lisa Hern at wfa@wightman.ca or phone 519-848-3774 prior to the Oct. 15, deadline.
