The recipients of nearly $50,000 of scholarships to high school seniors throughout central and southern Illinois pursuing agriculture-related majors and future careers were announced last week by Farm Credit Illinois. FCI awarded 24 high school seniors a $2,000 agriculture scholarship; two are designated as Urban Agriculture Scholars.

 

Clinton High School Senior Riley Donelson will graduate and attend Illinois Central College to study agricultural communications to work in communications for the livestock industry. 

 

Her parents are Phil and Tanya Donelson.

 

Sara Edgar of Gibson City Melvin Sibley High School in Ford County will graduate and attend Colorado State University to study agricultural business. She plans to work as an agricultural lawyer specializing in trade and policy. 

 

Her parents are Scott Edgar of Gibson City and Stacy Deaton of St. Louis, Mo.

 

Maddie Fugate of Mahomet-Seymour High School will graduate and attend Lake Land College to study agricultural communications and animal sciences. 

 

She plans to be a lobbyist on Capitol Hill before running for political office. 

 

Her parents are Eric and Julie Fugate.

 

Samy Mackey will graduate from Centennial High School and attend Parkland College to study agricultural and biological engineering with plans to improve world-wide food production systems. 

 

His parents are Andre Kabeya Mackey and Patricia Museba Mackey. 

 

Mackey is an Urban Agriculture Scholar.

 

This is the fourteenth year of the Farm Credit agriculture scholarship program which has awarded more than $340,000 to 299 students since 2004. Scholarship selections are based on a combination of academic achievement, participation and leadership in school and community organizations, and the applicant’s commitment to an agricultural career.