BILLINGS, MONT. -Since 1990 the NILE and NILE Foundation have awarded over $470,000 in scholarships to deserving youth active in 4-H, FFA, and their communities who excelled in the classroom, all while participating in NILE events. This year the NILE Foundation has increased the dollar amount and number of scholarships to reward 16 high school and college-aged students for their outstanding achievements.

Similar to 2013, scholarships were awarded on three levels:

First is a one-time scholarship awarded to graduating high school seniors that will be continuing their education at a college or vocational school. 

The second level of scholarships offered is also a one-time grant, for students already enrolled in College or a Vo-Tech school.

The third level, which offers the largest scholarshiped amount, is a rolling scholarship. The rolling scholarships will be offered to a select group of High School Seniors who will have the opportunity to renew the scholarship annually, up to four years of their secondary education. Recipients for the 2014 rolling scholarships were chosen from the pool of applicants that are current seniors in High School.

"This year's scholarship applicants are excellent kids," says Marlene Amen, scholarship committee chairman. "There were so many deserving youth and not enough funds to award them all with a scholarship."

Six one-time scholarships have been awarded to the following seniors in high school in the amount of $500:

 Sydney Greenslade of Lima, MT. Greenslade is the daughter of Dan and Corrinna Greenslade and will graduate from Lima High School. This fall she will attend Washington State University in Pullman, Washington as she studies Pre-veterinary Medicine.

Jessica Hafer of Emigrant, MT. Hafer plans to attend Washington State University in Pullman, Washington to become a veterinarian following graduation from Gardiner High School.  She is the daughter of Richard and Wendy Hafer.

Celeste Hagen of Sheridan, MT. Hagen is the daughter of Andrew and Brigitte Hagen and will soon graduate from Sheridan High School.  Upon graduation, she plans to attend San Diego City College in San Diego, California to become a registered nurse.

Sadie Reddick of Belgrade, MT. Reddick is a soon-to-be graduate of Belgrade High School. The daughter of Dan and Veloy Reddick, she plans to study Pre-veterinary Science at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Wayne Stevenson of Hobson, MT. A senior at Hobson High School, Stevenson is the son of Clint and Adana Stevenson. He will attend Biola University in La Mirada, California in pursuit of a Broadcast Journalism degree.

Brooke Vincent of Hobson, MT. Vincent is a soon-to-be graduate of Hobson High School.  She is the daughter of Bryan and Kim Vincent.  Her plans for her secondary education include attending Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming to study Ag Business and Photographic Communications.

Three high school seniors have been awarded rolling scholarships in the amount of $1,000 annually.  They are:

Rachael Buzanowski of Pompeys Pillar, MT. A soon-to-be graduate of Huntley Project High School, Buzanowski is the daughter of Bernie and Stacie Buzanowski. She plans to attend Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kansas to study Animal Science.

Jaclyn Ketchum of Plevna, MT.  A senior at Carter County High School, Ketchum is the daughter of Bruce and Tena Ketchum.  She plans to attend Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana to double major in Animal Science and Agriculture Education.

Amanda Williams of Miles City, MT. Williams will graduate this spring from Custer County District High School. The daughter of Kent and Christine Williams, she will attend Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana.  Her proposed major is Animal Science-Range Management.

Students selected as rolling scholarship recipients remain in good standing by maintaining a 3.0 cumulative GPA as a full-time student who is involved in NILE and college organizations and activities.

The following students have met these requirements and will be rewarded with their second installment of rolling scholarship in the amount of $1,000.

Bobby Dorvall is completing her freshman year of college at Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming. She is the daughter of Link and Holly Dorvall of Fromberg, Montana.  Pursuing an Agricultural Business degree, Dorvall plans to work in animal genetics or nutrition after college.

Kensey Mikklesen is currently attending Montana State University Bozeman, Montana. She is majoring in Exercise Science with a minor in Animal Science with plans to practice as a rural physical therapist and raise registered Black Angus Cattle after completing her higher education.  Mikkelsen's parents are Rod and Traci Mikkelsen of Hobson, Montana.

New this year, are the Joe Fouts Memorial 4-H and FFA Scholarships.  These $500 one-time scholarships are awarded to youth active in 4-H and FFA programs with one scholarship being awarded to a 4-H member and one scholarship being awarded to an FFA member.

Joe Fouts was an active 4-H and FFA member and his passion for both organizations was passed to his children who also participated in 4-H and FFA.  But this passion didn't stop with his organizational involvement, it continued as Fouts worked with 4-H and FFA youth through his many years at Western Ranch Supply.  "This year's recipients are kids Joe would have liked, as they are very helpful to all other kids, are accommodating, knowledgeable of their animals and products, and good all-around youth," said Amen. "He would be proud to award these youth scholarships as they come from second and third generation 4-H and FFA families."

Bailey Corcoran, daughter of James and Bernice Corcoran, was selected as the recipient of the Joe Fouts Memorial 4-H scholarship. A senior at Skyview High School, Corcoran currently resides in Billings, Montana and plans to study Elementary Education at MSU-Billings.

Seth Kraft, son of Brad and Lori Kraft was selected as the recipient of the Joe Fouts Memorial FFA Scholarship. A soon-to-be graduate of Laurel High School, Kraft currently calls Billings, Montana home. He plans to study Ag Business at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana.

The following students are pursuing degrees in higher education and each has been awarded a $500 scholarship.

Riley Dalke is attending Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana as he pursues a Chemical Biological Engineering degree.  Dalke plans to become a Chemical Engineer after college.  He is the son of Lenny and Bambi Dalke, who reside in Worden, Montana.

Dan Johnson is studying Agriculture Business at Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming. He plans to become an Agricultural Lobbyist upon completion of his higher education. Johnson's hometown is Dillon, Montana and he is the son of Tony and Tami Johnson.

Tara Welborn is pursuing an Animal Science degree at Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming. The daughter of Gene Welborn and Gine Loose, she calls Huntley, Montana home. She plans to become an AI Tech or Vet Assistant after college.

"Occupations of the students are changing compared to years before," said Amen. "We are seeing more kids going into Ag or Ag business degrees due to agriculture industry being stronger."

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 $60,000 in cash and live animal scholarships annually.