In the Kankakee County Farm Bureau Foundation’s 19th year of offering educational scholarships, a record number of 13 recipients have been named. To date, $155,800 in scholarships has been awarded to Kankakee County students furthering their agricultural education.
Due to continued generous financial support from the community, all 2023 high school senior, Kevin Yohnka Memorial Renewable Scholarships, and all Continuing Education scholarships are in the amount of $1,500 each, up from previous $1,000 scholarship amount.
This year, Kankakee County scholarship recipients include five high school graduates, four Kevin Yohnka Memorial Renewable Scholarship recipients, three Continuing Education Scholarship recipients, and one additional recipient of educational financial support.
Congratulations to these high school graduates for being part of this year’s Kankakee County Farm Bureau Foundation scholarship recipients.
Kylie Saathoff, daughter of Nick and Melissa Saathoff, is a graduate of Manteno High School. Kylie plans to attend Iowa State University to study Agribusiness and Crop Science.
Olivia Willis, also a graduate of Manteno High School, is the daughter of Scottie and Susan Willis. Olivia plans to study Animal Science and Environmental Science at Purdue University.
Caleb Dandurand, a graduate of Grace Christian Academy and the son of Todd and Kimberly Dandurand, plans to study at Parkland College to study Agribusiness and Precision Agriculture.
Lucas Hanen, son Nicole and the late David Hanen, is a graduate of St. Anne High School and plans to study Agribusiness at Joliet Junior College.
Carter Puracchio, who intends to study Agricultural Communications at the University of Illinois, is a graduate of Herscher High School and the son of Kyle Puracchio and Darthy Bisaillon.
Due to generous contributions, the County Farm Bureau Foundation was able to award four Kevin Yohnka Memorial Renewable Scholarships to past scholarship recipients, who continue to be enrolled in agriculture related studies. Halie Kohl, Emma Schnitzler, Ava Splear, and Carson Splear were chosen as this year’s Kevin Yohnka Memorial renewable scholarship recipients.
Emma Schnitzler, daughter of Roger and Sandra Schnitzler, is a 2022 graduate of Manteno High School and studying Natural Resources and Environmental Science at the University of Illinois.
Halie Kohl is a 2022 graduate of Herscher High School and studies at Kankakee Community College. Her plan is to transfer to Illinois State University to study Agribusiness. She is the daughter of Jason Kohl and Lisa Patchett.
Ava Splear, daughter of Grant Splear and Deanne Frieders, studies Agricultural Communications at the University of Illinois and is a 2021 graduate of Indian Creek High School in Waterman.
Carson Splear, a 2022 graduate of Herscher High School, studies Agribusiness, Markets, and Management at the University of Illinois. Carson is the son of Grant Splear and Deanne Frieders.
The County Farm Bureau Foundation also has awarded three “Continuing Education” scholarships, created in order to financially support students studying agriculture who do not fit the criteria of the other scholarships. Students, who are not graduating high school seniors or recipients of the previous year’s Farm Bureau scholarship, are eligible to apply for this scholarship.
Continuing Education scholarship recipients are:
Nikolaus Hanson, son of Scott and Michele Hanson and a 2020 graduate of Clifton Central High School, studies Agricultural Education at Illinois State University.
Nicole Johanson, a 2017 Herscher High School graduate, is the daughter of Greg and Denise Johanson. Nicole will begin her studies at the University of Illinois School of Veterinary Medicine to become a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
Peyton Richie is studying Agriculture Communications and Event Management and Advertising at Iowa State University. Peyton is the daughter of Jay and Tammy Richie and a 2020 graduate of Tri- Point High School.
Each of these students is wished continued success in their educational experiences.
The Foundation Board consists of the following volunteers: President Paula Karlock, Vice President Kelly Knobloch, Secretary Katelynn Ohrt, Treasurer Patrick Koerner, and Directors Clay Abbott, Dr. Joseph Meisenbach, and Ted Petersen III.
The scholarship program was made possible through generous contributions and donations to the County Farm Bureau Foundation from supportive individuals, organizations, and businesses. Contributions to the Foundation are tax-deductible, are accepted throughout the year, and should be sent to: Kankakee County Farm Bureau Foundation, 1605 West Court Street, Kankakee, IL 60901. For more information on the Foundation, the scholarship program, and ways to contribute, call the Farm Bureau office at 815-932-7471.