Twenty-six high school students have received the 2021 N.C. State Fair Youth Livestock Scholarship. The scholarship is specifically for high school seniors or students currently enrolled in an institute of higher education who have participated in the junior livestock or market turkey shows at the N.C. State Fair.

Twenty-five of the scholarships were worth $1,000 and the remaining one was worth $1,500 and was paid for by Farm Credit of North Carolina. Applicants were evaluated based on their involvement with N.C. State Fair junior livestock shows, academic achievement, extracurricular activities and an essay.

“As Agriculture Commissioner, I am proud to help cultivate the future of agriculture in our state through these scholarships,” Troxler said. “We are proud to have awarded over $300,000 in scholarships since starting this program in 2015.” 

2021 Junior Livestock Scholarship Winners

Alamance 
Madison Sifford, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University  

Caswell 
Katherine Eastep, Blinn College 

Cleveland 
Rex Howard, N.C. State University  

Guilford 
Lakota Sockwell, N.C. State University  

Halifax 
Zachary Keeter, N.C. State University  

Harnett 
Mason Blinson, Oklahoma State University  

Henderson 
Haley Hargus, Mars Hill University  

Iredell 
Emily Holland, UNC-Greensboro 

Johnston 
Tanner Bentley, UNC Chapel Hill or N.C. State University  
Isabell Fricke, N.C. State University  
Kadence Overby, Oklahoma State University  
Mary Wood, Oklahoma State University  

Lincoln 
Regan Mitchum, N.C. State University  

Randolph 
Rylee Schofield, University of Mount Olive 

Rowan 
Cynthia Connolly, N.C. State University  

Stanly 
Marcie Harward, N.C. State University  
Mattie Harward, N.C. State University  

Stokes 
Lynae Bowman, Redlands Community College 
Rachel Brown, University of Florida 
Allison Hartman, Belmont Abbey or N.C. State University  

Swain 
Abbegail King, Clemson University  

Wake 
Mason Judy, N.C. State University  

Wayne 
Taylor Glover, University of Mount Olive 

Wilson 
Thaddeus Sharp, V, N.C. State University  
Ethan Thompson, University of Georgia

The $1,500 Farm Credit Premium Scholarship winner was Tristen Fulton of Davidson who will be attending Iowa State University.

For more information on how individuals and organizations can support the 2021 Junior Livestock Sale of Champions or the scholarship program, contact Neil Bowman, director of N.C. State Fair livestock shows, at neil.bowman@ncagr.gov.