Meet our Scholarship Recipients

Proudly investing in your future. 

In alignment with our mission to support Illinois farm families and the future of agriculture through education, the IAA Foundation is pleased to share the 2025 scholarship recipients. 

Ninety-three students were selected to receive scholarships based on their academic achievement, participation and leadership in school and community organizations, and overall commitment to success. A total of $166,251 will be distributed to assist with tuition costs for the 2025-2026 school year. We received 392 applications this year, representing 92 Illinois counties. 

CONGRATULATIONS to all of our 2025 Scholarship Recipients, it is a privilege to support students through our diverse and growing scholarship program. 

2025 IAA Foundation Scholars

Haley Bode, Monroe County

From Waterloo, Haley is the daughter of Tim and Laura Bode. She will be a junior at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, majoring in Agricultural Education. 

Jay Bliler, Christian County
The son of Nate and Elizabeth Bliler, Jay will be a sophomore at Lake Land College. From Taylorville, IL Jay is majoring in Agribusiness.  

Jack Jungmann, Warren County 
From Little York, IL, Jack is the son of Matt and Krystal Jungmann. Entering his junior year at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Jack is majoring in Agriculture Communications. 

Emma Smith, Grundy County
Emma is an Agribusiness major who will be a Senior at Illinois State University. From Seneca, IL, Emma is the daughter of Trevor Lorntz and Lurelda Maier-Lorntz. 

David Mock, Henry County
Agricultural Economics major at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Emilee Cox, Hamilton County
Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences major at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 

Jennifer Abbott, Rock Island County
Agriculture Communications major at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Abigail Erlenbush, Christian County
Animal Science major at Illinois State University.

Kaylee Gerlach, Montgomery County
Agriculture Communications major at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Alex Jagers, Bureau County
Farm Management major at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Kennedy Kloepping, Bureau County 
Agricultural Education major at Western Illinois University.

Dakoda Maguire, Peoria County
Agricultural Education major at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 

Michael Matesa, Madison County
Agriculture Transfer major at Lincoln Land Community College.

Autumn Schlipf, McLean County
Agribusiness major at Illinois State University.

Brianna Cullers, Saline County
Agricultural Education major at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. 

Cora Dittmar, Jo Daviess County
Agricultural Education major at the  University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Emma Ennis, Coles County
Agricultural Education major at Illinois State University.

Makinzie Gaither, Lawrence County
Agricultural Leadership Education major at Lake Land College.

Mark Jones II, Will County
Agricultural Education major at Joliet Junior College.

Katrina Korsmeyer, Madison County
Agricultural Education major at Illinois State University. 

Dana Merriman, Lee County
Agricultural Education major at Illinois State University. 

Sarah Mills, Dewitt County
Agricultural Education major at Joliet Junior College. 

Janella Neary, Monroe County
Agricultural Education major at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 

Ava Pritchard, Clay County
Agricultural Education major at Lake Land College. 

Jacqueline Schertz, Woodford County
Agricultural Education major at the University of Illinois at Urbana--Champaign.

Caleb Seboldt, Monroe County
Agricultural Education major at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Sarina Voegel, Moultrie County
Agricultural Education major at Lake Land College.

 

Destiny Williamson, Champaign County
Agricultural Education major at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 

Keely Wixted, DuPage County
Agricultural Education major at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 

Jena Bare, Richland County 
Agricultural Economics major at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

Claire Meyer, Douglas County
Agriculture Communications and Leadership major at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 

Lydia Oker, DeKalb County
Public and International Affairs, Ag Trade and Policy major at Virginia Tech. 

Addison Stollard, Moultrie County
Agribusiness major at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 

Lane Dowell, Mason County
Juris Doctorate/Accounting major at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

Avery Watson, Champaign County
Agronomy major at Iowa State University. 

 

Laikyn Parchert, Rock Island County
Agricultural Studies Multidisciplinary Option at Iowa State University.

Emma Fricano, Lake County
Neuroscience major at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Isabella Yarc, Lake County
General Agriculture major at Joliet Junior College.  

 

Dylan Zwilling, Champaign County
Power Equipment Technician major at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Taylor Crouch, Macon County
Agribusiness, Management and Finance major at Lincoln Land Community College. 

Josephine Brunner, Sangamon County
Pre-Veterinary Medicine major at Olivet Nazarene University.

Kassidi Metcalf, Edwards County
Agronomy major at Murray State University.

Drew Mickey, Christian County
Animal Science major at Kansas State University.

Trenton Payne, Richland County
Agricultural Engineering major at Iowa State University.

Lizzie Schafer, Christian County
Animal Science major at Kansas State University.

Kylee Cook, Marshall County
Agribusiness major at Illinois State University.

Cara Carrillon, Clinton County
Animal Science major at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 

Samantha Heinzmann, Clinton County
Agricultural Education major at Kaskaskia College.

Lauren Wolter, Clinton County 
Animal Science major at Kansas State University.

Ella Anderson, Henry County
Agriculture Studies major at Iowa State University.

Undergraduate $1,500 Scholar:

Taylor Dietz, Champaign County
Animal Science major at Iowa State University.

 

Veterinary Medicine $3,000 Scholar:
 

Nickole Ryan, Boone County
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Grace Birkey, Tazewell County
Agribusiness major at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Elise Glenn, Lake County
Exercise Science major at Illinois State University.

Josie Bailey, Tomah, WI
Agricultural Education major at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

Dawson Barber, Fulton, MS
Law major at the University of Mississippi.

Joni Beckman, Effingham County
Advertising major at Illinois State University.

Reagan Echard, Monona, IA
Psychology major at Upper Iowa University. 

Mariesa Gibson, Somerset, KY
Counseling major at Lindsey Wilson College.

Shayden Hogg, Madison County
Animal Science major at Murray State University.

Benjamin Hug, St. Clair County
Computer Science major at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  

Alivia Knebel, Madison County
Animal Science major at Kaskaskia College.

Kaylee Neff, Shullsburg, WI
Agribusiness major at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

Maya Rodriguez-Mansholt, Sangamon County
Biological Sciences major at Eastern Illinois University. 

Silvia Schallberger, Cape Girardeau, MO
Business major at the University of Mississippi. 

Briella Vasquez, LaOtto, IN
Biochemistry major. 

Stacie Vonderheide, Shelby County
Education major at Parkland College. 

William Watson, Richland County
History major at Eastern Illinois University. 

Owen Pree, Iroquois County
Diesel Mechanics major at Parkland College.

Benjamin Polo, Macoupin County
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 

Vitaly Capitaine, Cook County
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 

$1,000 Scholars:

Alissa Korsmeyer, Madison County
Agronomy Management major at Illinois State University.

Christopher Smith, Grundy County
Agricultural Production major at Joliet Junior College.

 

$2,500 Scholars:

Amanda Niemann, Montgomery County
Agricultural Education major at Western Illinois University.

Eric Wisely, Washington County
Agricultural Education major at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. 

Katherine Springer, Tazewell County 
Agribusiness, Markets and Management major at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 

Adam Swartzendruber, Tazewell County 
Precision Agriculture Technology major at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 

Aurora Fitchner, Mercer County 
Animal Science major at Black Hawk College. 

Benjamin Biros, Grundy County
Agricultural Meteorology major at the University of Oklahoma. 

Grant North, Edgar County
General Agriculture major at Parkland College.

Kendra Downing, Henry County
Crop and Soil Science major at the  University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

Brooklyne Lussenheide, Washington County
Agriculture Communications major at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Lauren Mohr, McLean County
Animal Science major at Iowa State University. 

Emma Whitaker, Hancock County
Agriculture Communications major at Iowa State University. 

Hannah Miller, Livingston County
Animal Science major at Joliet Junior College. 

Maysn Riggins, McDonough County
Animal Science major at Kansas State University.

Paige Sierens, Henry County
Animal Science major at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 

Anna Webel, Knox County
Animal Science major at Kansas State University.

Josephine Webel, Knox County
Agriculture Communications major at Oklahoma State University. 

 

Libby Larkin, Livingston County
Agribusiness major at Western Illinois University.