The Rock Island County Farm Bureau Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2023 Scholarships. This award is given to outstanding high school students who have achieved a well-rounded high school and collegiate career and understand the value of volunteerism. These applicants were selected based upon their academic, school, and community involvement by an independent committee appointed by the Rock Island County Farm Bureau® Foundation Board of Directors.
This year, the Rock Island County Farm Bureau Foundation awarded four $1,500 scholarships to graduating high school seniors. The 2023 Foundation Scholarship winners are:
- Ella Goodnight, daughter of Benjamin and Luci Goodnight, a 2023 graduate of Rockridge High School. She will study Neuroscience at Luther College this fall.
- Kameron Bohnsack, son of Jay and Sarah Bohnsack, a 2023 graduate of Rockridge High School. He will attend St. Ambrose University this fall, where he will study Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation.
- Maddux Dieckman, son of Ryan and Eva Dieckman, a 2023 graduate of Moline High School. He will study Data Analytics and Financing/Economics at Augustana College this fall.
- Amelia Rursch, daughter of Darrin and Keri Rursch, a 2023 graduate of Rockridge High School. She will attend Rhodes College this fall, where she will study Law.
These scholarships have been made possible thanks to the financial gifts from several families. We also want to extend our sincere appreciation to the family of Myron and Helen Mueller who donated over $5,000 to the Foundation in support of funding one of the Foundation Scholarships each year beginning in 2009. Currently, because of their additional giving, the funds have grown and will help fund a Foundation Scholarship each year until the funds are exhausted. The family of Glenn Mueller has also donated funds in support of Foundation Scholarships.
The Lowell Johnson Charitable Foundation and the Churchill Family Foundation have annually contributed $1,500 and $1,000 respectively towards the scholarships for the RICFB Foundation as well.
KEPPY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP
This year, four Farm Bureau member dependents will receive a $2,500 scholarship for their continuing education courtesy of the Wilbert and Carol Keppy Charitable Foundation. The 2023 Keppy Scholarship winners are:
- Rachel Pyevich, daughter of Steven Pyevich, a 2023 graduate of United Township High School. She will study Agribusiness and Management at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign this fall.
- Mikaylin Hofer, daughter of Michael and Victoria Hofer, a 2023 graduate of Rockridge High School. She will attend Cornell College this fall with plans to study Biology.
- Jennifer Abbott, daughter of Julie and Jason Abbott, a 2023 graduate or Orion High School. She will study Agriculture Leadership Education and Communications at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign this fall.
- Tayler Gilmore, daughter of Jessica Ross, a 2021 graduate of Moline High School. She will study Journalism at the University of Missouri this fall.
GEORGE AND IRENE STULZ FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP
This year, two Farm Bureau member dependents will receive $1,000 scholarships towards their post-secondary education courtesy of the George and Irene Stulz Family Scholarship. The 2023 Stulz Scholarship winners are:
- Ella Rursch, daughter of Darrin and Keri Rursch, a 2021 graduate of Rockridge High School. She will be a junior at University of Wisconsin-Platteville this fall, where she is majoring in Agribusiness.
- Ryan Parchert, son of Carol and Tom Parchert, a 2021 graduate of Rockridge High School. He will be a junior this fall attending the University of Wisconsin-Platteville studying Agribusiness.
The Stulz Family Scholarship was established in 2018. The scholarship awards monies to post-secondary students enrolled as a Junior or Senior at a four-year university with a career focus in an agricultural field.
KENNETH BUSH MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
This year, one Farm Bureau member dependent will receive a $2,000 scholarship toward their post-secondary education courtesy of the Kenneth Bush Memorial Scholarship. The 2023 Bush Scholarship winner is:
- Cierra Bush, daughter of Jared Bush and DeAnna Bush, a 2023 graduate of Rockridge High School. She will study Accounting at Culver-Stockton College this fall.
The Kenneth Bush Memorial Scholarship was established in 2020 by the Kenny Bush Family. Kenny and Marilyn Bush have been long-time supporters of the Rock Island County Farm Bureau and its Foundation. Inducted into the Rock Island County Farm Bureau Foundation in 2011, both served on the foundation board of directors for a number of years. Their belief of hard work, education, and the value of family and faith is of the utmost importance in life. Kenny also served as the Vice-President of the Rock Island County Farm Bureau from 1968-1970 and President from 1970-1974. Kenny Bush passed away in April 2020 and his family dedicated a generous scholarship contribution to be awarded annually in his honor.
A reminder that scholarship applications are available from the Farm Bureau office around January 1st each year. For more information regarding the Rock Island County Farm Bureau Foundation and their scholarships, please contact the FB office at (309) 736-7432, or visit www.ricofarmbureau.org/foundation.