National DHIA selects 14 scholarship winners

Woman feeding cows grass

FITCHBURG, Wis. (January 15, 2024) – The National Dairy Herd Information Association (DHIA) Scholarship Committee picked 14 high school seniors and college students to receive a $1,000 scholarship. Committee members ranked applicants based on scholastic achievements, leadership in school and community activities, and responses to DHI- and career-related questions. To be eligible for a National DHIA scholarship, applicants must be a family member or employee of a herd on DHI test, a family member of a DHI employee, or an employee of a DHI affiliate. The DHI affiliate for the herd or affiliate employee must be a National DHIA member.

This year’s National DHIA scholarship recipients are Allison Ahrensmeyer, Baraboo, Wis. (parents: Larry and Laurie Ahrensmeyer); Makenzie Alberts, Pine Island, Minn. (parents: Eric and Angie Alberts); Cassie Bohnert, East Moline, Ill. (parents: Scott and Karen Bohnert); Wyatt Glessing, Waverly, Minn. (parents: Dan and Seena Glessing); Sydney Haag, Thorntown, Ind.  (parents: Brent and Beth Haag); Garrett Hastings, Chardon, Ohio (parents: Lad and Brenda Hastings); Ryan Hath, El Nido, Calif. (parents: Leon and Amy Hath); Trevor Hath, El Nido, Calif. (parents: Leon and Amy Hath); Kaleb Heins, Morris, Minn. (parents: Brad and Joni Heins); Colton James, Dodgeville, Wis. (parents: Dennis and Christine James); Lincoln Michaud, East Hardwick, Vt. (parents: Jeremy and Leslie Michaud); Makayla Moline, Saint Peter, Minn. (parents: Rob and Gail Moline); Kelly Niefergold, Lawtons, N.Y. (parents: David and Emily Niefergold); and Emma Roar, Sullivan, Ohio (parents: Jeremy and Jenny Roar).

For the 16th year, National DHIA awarded a scholarship in memory of Joe Drexler, who worked for NorthStar Cooperative DHI Services (now known as CentralStar Cooperative Inc. – DHI Services). Cassie Bohnert is this year’s recipient. NorthStar members and employees, friends and family contributed nearly $10,000 to establish this scholarship fund.

Money generated from the annual National DHIA Scholarship Auction primarily funds the organization’s scholarship program. Investments and donations also help build the fund. Support the National DHIA Scholarship Program by donating $15 or more and receive a copy of The Big Book of Moo by Leigh Rubin. The Big Book of Moo features nearly 300 cow-centric cartoons. To order, e-mail BookOfMoo@dhia.org. To donate to the National DHIA Scholarship Fund, contact Leslie Thoman at 608-848-6455 ext. 108 or lthoman@dhia.org.

On July 1, 2024, the 2025 National DHIA Scholarship application will be posted on the National DHIA website at: www.dhia.org/scholarship.asp. Applications are due Oct. 31, 2024.

National Dairy Herd Information Association, a trade association for the dairy records industry, serves the best interests of its members and the dairy industry by maintaining the integrity of dairy records and advancing dairy information systems.

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