SMRID awards $30,000 in scholarships to southern Alberta students

Areas of study include agronomy, crop technology, sustainable agriculture and food systems, agricultural business and management, pre-veterinary medicine and biochemistry.

Recipients come from communities across southern Alberta, including Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Coaldale, Bow Island, Taber, Foremost, Claresholm and Lethbridge County.

“The SMRID Board of Directors is proud to support the region’s agriculture leaders of the future in their post-secondary education,” SMRID board chairman Cory Nelson said in a statement.

“Supporting students in agriculture-related fields is particularly meaningful, as these are the skills and careers that will help keep our district and region strong for generations to come.”

SMRID General Manager David Westwood said the district has invested nearly $100,000 in students pursuing agricultural careers since 2022.

“We see that as an investment in the future of our industry and our communities,” Westwood said.

“These are the people who will be growing, building, innovating and leading agriculture in southern Alberta for years to come,” he added.

“We’re proud to play a small part in helping them get there, and to support students who are choosing to build their future in agriculture.”

Scholarship recipients

Keith Francis Memorial Scholarship

Nate Westwood, Lethbridge
Julianne Curran, Medicine Hat
Dillon Lammerding, Lethbridge
Chelsea Tamura, Coaldale
Jaxon Maksymytz, Taber

Jonnie Popel Memorial Scholarship

Ryann Plaksey, Medicine Hat
Bridgette Hildebrand, Foremost
Camille Kolen, Bow Island
Haisley MacLean, Bow Island
Jenna Austin, Medicine Hat

Peter Langemann Memorial Scholarship

Brett Andres, Lethbridge
Ily Vucurevich, Lethbridge
Benjamin Dyck, Coaldale
Lauren White, Claresholm
Mackenzie Heidlinger, Lethbridge County

by Jesse Gill

SMRID awards $30,000 in scholarships to southern Alberta students

Scholarship recipients

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