Scholarship Winners

United Junior

Suffolk Sheep Association

CONTENTS

Directors and Officers

Scholarships Awarded

Our sixth annual scholarship competition has been a resounding success. The quality of applicants was remarkable. How can anyone not be proud and excited to be part of such a group?

The recipients are Lindsey Jo Beckendorf and Rebecca Hoskins.

Lindsey is attending the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. She is studying to become a veterinarian, specializing in genetics and reproduction. She has been involved with sheep since second grade. She began her registered Suffolk flock in 2003 and has been very successful at the county and state level. She exhibited at the National Junior Suffolk Show in Spencer, Iowa.

She has served as President of both her 4H Club and FFA Chapter. She has also served as President of the National Honor Society, President of the Nicollet high school band and Co-Captain of her basketball team where she lettered four years.

She has supported the Suffolk breed by being a member of the UJSSA and the Minnesota Suffolk Sheep Association. Her many awards would fill this page. They run the gamut from livestock associations, athletics, civic organizations, animal shelters, hospital and nursing homes.

Becci to everyone who knows her is attending the University of Iowa, College of Nursing. She is a fifth generation sheep farmer so her earliest recollections are of sheep. She credits the UJSSA with providing her the path and the ambition to rise above the county level with her sheep. She has exhibited at the last six National Junior Suffolk Shows. The UJSSA also gave her the confidence to exhibit at he world's largest livestock show, NAILE in Louisville. She currently serves as the Ambassador of the UJSSA. This affords her the opportunity to attend more open shows and work more with the USSA Board.

She served as President or Vice-President of most of her school livestock, academic and sports organizations. She continues this service by being involved with the Pro-Board which plans activities for the complete University campus. She also finds time to play on the UNI rugby team.

She is involved with the UIANS which is a nursing organization that plans activities for nursing students. Her time requirement there has curtailed participation in many of her former groups.

Her answer to the question "What have I done to support the Suffolk breed" was "I've always been there". Good answer because if you have been to any of the shows, she is there doing whatever needs doing. Her specialty is helping and teaching younger children to show their sheep. At Louisville, where ever there was activity, Becci was there. She was instrumental in the great response to our request for sponsors at Louisville.

Congratulations to both of you.

Youth Scholarship

The National Suffolk Foundation, an arm of the USSA, awards annual $1000 scholarships. The scholarships will be awarded to worthy applicants at the North American International Livestock Show in Louisville. Scholarships will be awarded entirely on merit.

One of the most important and possibly the most difficult decision made by the USSA Board is the selection of Scholarship recipients. The Board delegates this duty to the Scholarship Committee.

This committee of four screens the applications for eligibility. Very few don't pass this phase. Then the work gets more difficult. They look at academic achievement, involvement with sheep, community service, leadership abilities and aspirations for the future. They try to narrow the field to a half dozen or so for personal interviews; either in person or by phone.

This interview takes place at Louisville. Committee members may ask any question that they think will give the applicant an opportunity to stand out or expand on an item in the application. The post interview committee discussion can take quite some time because each member may give greater weight to one attribute than another.

After much give and take, the group is satisfied with their selections. They know many will be disappointed but all eligible are encouraged to apply again. There are no losers in this competition. They are all winners because they are the cream of the crop. The breed and the association are fortunate to have such quality.

Qualifications:

1. Graduating high school senior who has been accepted to an accredited college or university or a student currently enrolled in an accredited college or university.

2. Must currently be involved with Suffolk sheep.

3. Must be a member of the United Junior Suffolk Sheep Association.

4. Must have and maintain 3.0 grade point average.

5.Must provide:
a. A completed application form

b. Two letters of recommendation from teachers/professors, counselors or community leaders.

c. A current transcript.

Applications may be requested from the USSA office on or before October 1 and completed applications must be received by the office no later than October 13.

The Scholarship Committee will select up to ten finalists. Finalists will be interviewed by the Committee at the NAILE in Louisville, Kentucky. Winners will be announced during the USSA Annual Membership Meeting.

Funds will be paid directly to the winner's college or university.

The Board strongly encourages all eligible Suffolk breeders to join this competition.

National Suffolk Foundation

The NSF was founded as a not for profit corporation to provide scholarships to worthy Junior Suffolk breeders. The Foundation is entirely funded by tax deductible donations. There are enough funds available to award this year's scholarships and almost enough for next year's. Donations should be sent to the office. Bequeathments or memorial scholarships may be established in the name of the honored person.