Thirty-one North Carolina students have been named recipients of 2023 N.C. State Fair Youth Livestock Scholarships, Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler announced.

The scholarships are designed for high school seniors and 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.

The scholarships are funded from a percentage of the total sales at the N.C. State Fair Sale of Champions. The number of scholarships awarded each year is based on qualified applicants and funds available from the previous year’s Sale of Champions. Because of strong support of the 2022 sale, 30 scholarships valued at $2,000 each were awarded this year. One $2,500 scholarship was also sponsored by Farm Credit Associations of North Carolina.

“We greatly appreciate the numerous buyers and sponsors that help make the Sale of Champions a success," said Neil Bowman, director of the N.C. State Fair livestock shows.

A selection committee evaluated applicants based on their involvement with N.C. State Fair junior livestock shows, academic achievement, extracurricular activities and an essay. Each application was assigned a number and identifying information was removed before evaluation.

Following is a list of scholarship recipients by county. All scholarships are for $2,000 unless otherwise noted:

Alamance
Alexis Hester of Graham plans to attend N.C. State University or N.C. A&T State Univeristy                                   
Aiden Kernodle of Graham plans to attend Virginia Tech or N.C. State University
Louis Williard of Graham will attend N.C. State University

Anson
Lynlee Martin of Wadesboro plans to attend N.C. State University

Buncombe
Shelby Candler of Weaverville plans to attend Redlands Community College
Anna Reeves of Swannanoa plans to attend AB-Tech Community College

Catawba
Emma Vanhoy of Catawba will attend N.C. State University
Hannah Vanhoy of Catawba plans to attend N.C. State University – Farm Credit Associations of NC Scholarship recipient - $2,500

Cleveland
Rex Howard of Lattimore plans to attend N.C. State University

Davidson
Salem Ward of Davidson plans to attend UNC-Greensboro

Franklin
Hope Latta of Zebulon plans to attend N.C. State University

Halifax
Zachery Keeter of Enfield will attend N.C. State University

Henderson
Haley Hargus of Zirconia will attend Mars Hill University

Hyde
Maggie Glass of Belhaven plans to attend N.C. State University

Iredell
Hannah Loftin of Troutman will attend University of Mount Olive

Jackson
Avery King of Sylva plans to attend the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Abbegail King of Sylva plans to attend Clemson University

Johnston
Emily Oberman of Clayton plans to attend Johnston County Community College
Anna Taylor of Princeton will attend Barton College
Mary Wood of Willow Spring will attend Oklahoma State University

Macon
Hannah Smith of Franklin plans to attend Appalachian State University or Western Carolina University

Nash
Leah Suydam of Middlesex is undecided

Pitt
Conner Mills of Greenville will attend Lees-McRae College

Randolph
Rylee Schofield of Trinity will attend University of Mount Olive

Richmond
Savannah Shepard of Ellerbe is planning to attend N.C. State University

Rowan
Josie Correll of Cleveland will attend Connors State College

Stokes
Lynae Bowman of Germanton will attend Oklahoma State University
Amber Shutsky of Pinnacle is undecided

Wayne
Jacob Hinson of Princeton will attend N.C. State University

Wake
Mason Judy of Raleigh plans to attend N.C. State University

Wilson
Emma Vick of Wilson will attend N.C. State University

For more information on how individuals and organizations can support the 2023 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 or 919-270-7094.