In December, at the Joint Stockmen’s Convention, four deserving students were awarded with scholarships.
Two $1,000 Purina Mills scholarships were awarded to New Mexico students who are members of the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association (NMCGA), the New Mexico Junior Cattle Growers’ Association or the child of an NMCGA member. Graduating high school seniors, and college freshmen, sophomores and juniors in good academic standing were eligible to apply for the award.
In addition, the Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Committee (YCLC) and the Allied Industries Committee also presented two $500 scholarships. One to a high school senior and one to a continuing college student.
Ayden Madrid received a Purina Mills Scholarship of $1,000. Ayden Madrid grew up on his family ranch in Bernalillo, NM. He is currently a freshman at Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO, studying environmental conservation and land management with a minor in business administration. He is the starting fullback for the Fort Lewis College football team while participating in many leadership positions and clubs throughout the college.
Throughout high school, he received many accolades related to football including District Player of the Year, All Metro Defensive Player of the Year and broke the New Mexico state record for most tackles in a season at 173 tackles. He is also on the Dean’s List with a 3.3 GPA at Fort Lewis.
Callie Bennett was the recipient of the other Purina Mills Scholarship of $1,000. Callie is a 19-year-old first year student at Connor’s State College in Warner, OK. Growing up in Artesia, NM, Callie was very involved in 4-H and FFA showing cattle, competing in parliamentary procedure, public speaking, meats evaluation, wool evaluation and livestock evaluation.
While growing up on her family ranch, she says she learned how to work hard and be a good steward of the land. At Connor’s State, Callie is a member of the livestock judging team. In high school, she was a member of the National Honor Society, NMCGA, Yucca Cowbelles, NM Club Calf Association and many other groups.
Ttwo scholarship winners were awarded the YCLC and Allied Industry Committee scholarships.
“The Allied Industries Committee was honored to partner with the Young Cattleman’s Leadership Committee to award one $500 scholarship at the Joint Stockmen’s Convention. We are thankful for our committee members that make these opportunities possible for our youth,” said Macy McDonald, Allied Industry Committee co-chair.
Hattie Dobrinski who was awarded a $500 scholarship from the YCLC/Allied Industry Committee. Hattie is from Silver City, NM, where she attended Calvary Christian Academy. In high school she was the valedictorian and graduated summa cum laude with a 4.0 GPA. She was active in Student Council, volleyball and 4-H. Currently, Hattie is a freshman at Fort Hays State University in Hays, KS, where she is studying agribusiness with a minor in animal science.
Remington Hunt received the YCLC/Allied Industry Committee Scholarship of $500. Remington lives and works on his family’s ranch near Broadview, NM. Remington placed second at the 2022 National FFA Convention with his speech entitled “The Carbon Revolution: Opening up New Markets for Ranchers.”
Remington loves telling people about the benefits of beef. He is a New Mexico Beef Ambassador, the National Honor Society president, FFA chapter sentinel and an athlete on the basketball and track teams at Texico High School. In FFA, he also competes in horticulture produce, agriculture issues and prepared public speaking. He is the sixth generation on his family ranch.
Congratulations to all these young people on outstanding achievements. — NMCGA
