Texas Farm Credit, a rural lending cooperative, recently awarded $2,000 scholarships to six students across the state through the 2020 Marsha Martin Scholarship Program.
The scholarships honor the memory of Marsha Pyle Martin, a native of Paris, Texas, who at the time of her death in January 2000 was chairman and chief executive officer of the Farm Credit Administration. Since 2000, Texas Farm Credit has presented $158,500 in college scholarships to students who are pursuing agriculture-related degrees. The co-op also donates $500 to each recipient’s 4-H club or FFA chapter.
“Texas Farm Credit has a mission to support agriculture and rural communities today and tomorrow,” said Mark Miller, Texas Farm Credit chief executive officer. “We award Marsha Martin Scholarships to students who have excelled in their FFA chapters and 4-H clubs because they represent the future of agriculture. We see this as an investment in the students’ continued growth and leadership in the industry.”
Miller noted the students’ accomplishments:
Baylee Gaze of Tioga is a senior and class salutatorian at Tioga High School and is heading to Texas A&M University this fall to study animal science. During her high school years, she served as president of the Tioga FFA chapter, as well as president of her 4-H chapter and FCA. While still in high school, she has also earned an associate’s degree from Grayson College and plans to continue her education to become a veterinarian.
Haley Jouett of Terrell is a senior and class salutatorian at Kaufman High School. She will attend Texas A&M University this fall to pursue a degree in animal science. During her high school years, she participated in both the Kaufman County 4-H Club and Kaufman High School FFA chapter. She served as president of her LEO Club and FCA and has won many awards for ag mechanics and archery. She plans to follow her dream of becoming a veterinarian.
Katelyn Klawinsky of Willis is a senior at New Waverly High School. She will study agricultural business at Texas A&M University this fall. While in high school, she served as president for the New Waverly 4-H Community Club, Walker County 4-H Commercial Heifer division, New Waverly High School FFA, and the Walker County 4-H County Council. She was also a member of the National BETA Club and the National Honors Society. She has received an abundant of awards through the FFA program and plans to become an agricultural lawyer.
Braylee Schomburg of Washington is a senior at Brenham High School and will study agricultural business at Texas A&M University this fall. During her high school years, she held multiple offices within the Sandy Hill 4-H Club, with her most recent serving as vice-president. Braylee has volunteered much of her time to her community through participating in several community service opportunities, including organizing school supply drives for Brenham ISD elementary schools for 4 years and making donations to a variety of relief efforts. She was also a mentor in the Washington County Fair Champion Drive Special Edition, a program that provides special needs youth in Washington county the opportunity to participate in a livestock show.
Matthew Marquez of Detroit is a senior and class salutatorian at Detroit High School. He will study soil and crop sciences at Texas A&M University in the fall. While in high school, he served as vice-president of both the Detroit High School FFA and Area VI chapters. He competed in state, area, and district FFA competitions and has earned the State FFA Degree, the Chapter FFA Degree, and the Greenhand FFA Degree. Once he graduates from Texas A&M, he plans to work at NASA to research new ways to innovate crop sciences in order to feed our astronauts.
Kate McNeill of Pleasanton is a senior and class valedictorian at Pleasanton High School. She will attend Texas A&M University this fall to study animal science. During her high school years, she participated in both the Pleasanton High School FFA chapter and the Atascosa County Equine Enthusiast 4-H Club, where she held office as the vice-president, president, and most recently, mentoring president. She has participated in many extracurricular activities, including serving as captain of the varsity soccer team for two years and the Texas High School Rodeo Association. Once she graduates, she looks forward to serving American agriculturalists through rural dentistry.
Texas Farm Credit finances agricultural operations, agribusinesses, homes and rural real estate, and offers a variety of insurance services. Headquartered in Robstown, Texas, it serves 100 Texas counties and is part of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of rural lending cooperatives established in 1916.
