These scholarships go to members who are or will be attending two- or four-year universities with preference given to those pursuing undergraduate degrees in an agriculture-related field.
Garrett Ulness of Valders earns the $2,000 Presidents’ Scholarship. This scholarship, which honors past leaders of the Wisconsin Holstein Association, goes to the top applicant each year. Garrett is the son of Mark and Angie Ulness. He will be a sophomore at UW-Madison studying dairy science with a certificate in agriculture business management. Garrett’s end goal is to return home to the family farm, Ragnar Holsteins.
Ashley Brandel of Lake Mills earns the $2,000 Doris Morris Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is in honor of Doris, who was a long-time Wisconsin Holstein member. Doris and her husband Arden, and Arden’s brother, Maldwyn, and his wife, Inez, owned and operated Arwyn Farms in Waukesha County for over 40 years. Ashley is the daughter of Matt and Tracy Brandel. She will start college in the fall at UW-Platteville where she plans to earn a degree in dairy science with a goal of opening a donor site for reproductive work of high-type cattle while remaining active on her family’s farm, Straussdale Holsteins.
Amelia Dittman earns the $1,750 John Selz Memorial Scholarship. The John Selz Memorial Scholarship fund honors John Selz of Humbird, Wisconsin. He managed his family’s farm, Selz Farm, which was in his family for over 125 years. John was active in the Wisconsin and National Holstein Associations for numerous years. Throughout his life, John served as a strong advocate for progressive dairying and the Holstein industry. Amelia is the daughter of Darren and Kristin Dittman, New Richmond. Having completed her freshman year at UW-Madison with a major in psychology and minors in art and business, Amelia hopes to become an art therapist while also being active in the dairy industry.
Brooklyn Schowerer of Edgar earns the $1,750 Bradley Fust Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is in memory of Brad, who was an enthusiastic member of the Junior Holstein Association from Wausau. The scholarship was established by Brad’s parents, Brian and Wendy Fust, with the sale of one of Brad’s heifers. Brooklyn is the daughter of Rick Schwoerer and Mina Gumieny. She will be a sophomore at UW-Madison studying dairy science and plans to obtain a career in dairy cattle genetics.
Chloe Breunig of Sheboygan Falls earns the $1,750 Maurice and Geraldine Cooper Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is in memory of Maurice and Geraldine Cooper, lifelong Holstein breeders from Moss Oak Farm. Maurice was a director of the Wisconsin Holstein Association; a director, president, and secretary of the Dane County Holstein Association; a delegate to the National Holstein Convention multiple times; and served on many industry boards including DHI and World Dairy Expo. Love of family, Holsteins, service to the community, and support of youth activities were paramount in their lives. Chloe is the daughter of Mark and Kelley Breunig. She plans to attend UW-Madison in the fall to study dairy science. Her future plans include returning to her family’s farm as the fifth generation.
Wesley Winch, Fennimore, earns the $1,750 Marlowe Nelson Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is in memory of Marlowe whose passion was to teach and mentor young enthusiastic breeders to become more involved in the Registered Holstein business. Throughout his lifetime, Marlowe paved the way in many aspects of the Registered Holstein breed and its impact on the United States, Japan, Germany, and Holland. Welsey is the son of Peter and Christina Winch. As a recent graduate of Fennimore High School, he will attend Southwest Wisconsin Technical College in the fall. Following college, Wesley plans to continue to grow his small hoof-trimming business.
Receiving the $1,750 John Klossner Memorial Scholarship is Aspen Hagen of Spencer. John Klossner was a young man who touched many lives during his short Junior Holstein career. He passed tragically in an accident while exhibiting at one of his favorite events – the Wisconsin Junior State Fair. John was active in the Green County Junior Holstein Association and served on the Wisconsin Junior Holstein Junior Activities Committee. He attended UW-Madison and was an active member of the Badger Dairy Club and AGR. He was also an accomplished cattle showman and had won many awards. This scholarship was established by John’s parents, Richard and Roxanne Klossner. It goes to a student who is a role model to other junior members. Aspen is the daughter of Jeremiah and Sherry Hagen. She is attending Northcentral Technical College focusing on dairy science and agriculture business with plans to work in the dairy nutrition field.
Payton Calvert, Cuba City, earns the $1,750 Gordon Berg Memorial Scholarship. Gordon was a long-time Wisconsin Holstein member and breeder from Brownsville, Wisconsin. Gordon’s sister, Vivian Minor, started the Gordon Berg Scholarship. She made up the “VI” in the famed VIGO herd prefix with her brother, Gordon, making up the “GO.” Gordon was a well-respected breeder who bred outstanding Registered Holsteins in the Dodge County area his entire life. Payton is the son of Bill and Kelle Calvert. He plans to continue his education at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College in agriculture and technology.
Ian Spoke of Waterloo earned the $1,750 Annette Ostrom Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship celebrates the life and legacy of a friend, a philanthropist, a coach, and a leader within the Holstein Association. As an advisor and dairy quiz bowl coach in Brown County, Annette was a cheerleader for youth, going out of her way to give back with a warm smile and an ear ready to listen to young members talk about the cows they too loved. With her husband, Jim Ostrom, the couple co-founded Dairy Cares, a non-profit organization that has raised more than $2 million for Children’s Wisconsin over the past decade. Her greatest commitment was to her family and children: Carlie, Mac, Shelby, and Tristen. Ian is the son of Jeff and Jenny Spoke. He will continue his education at South Dakota State University where he plans to study dairy production and agricultural sciences.
The recipient of a special $1,750 scholarship with funds donated by Richard and Peggy Daluge is Summer Hammann of Barron. Summer is the daughter of Scot and Becky Hammann. A graduate of Barron High School, she plans to attend UW-Madison to obtain a degree in dairy science with a minor in agriculture business management with plans to work as a herd manager.
Receiving a $1,750 scholarship from the Wisconsin Holstein Foundation is Claire Betley of Pulaski. Claire is the daughter of Jeff and Jena Betley. She recently wrapped up her freshman year at Iowa State University where she is working toward her degree in agriculture business with a certificate in dairy cattle production and management.
