2014 Scholarship Winners for Panhandle-Plains Land Bank
Left to right: Sara Jo Miller, Laura Beth Burandt, Cory Bruce, Vice President, Ashlee Marie Adams, Madilyn Elizabeth Shults.
The Ag Day Celebration is a special event for West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) in Canyon. Held September 5th, one highlight is recognition of scholarship winners for the year. Panhandle-Plains Land Bank awards 4-$1,000 scholarships to Junior or Senior students each year; this is the 7th year that the association has awarded scholarships. Recipients are chosen by a committee from within the WTAMU Foundation. Criterion for the scholarship includes students with degree plans from within the College of Agriculture, and who graduated from high school in the association's service territory.
Sarah Jo Miller is a Junior Ag Media Communications major from rural Floyd County. Her parents are Lyle and Tresa Miller. Sara Jo received academic honors at high school and while at WTAMU. She is active in athletics and activities within the Ag Media Communications Department, serving as Editor of the Agricultural Communications of Tomorrow publication. Describing herself as a “farmer's daughter with a love of agriculture," Sara wants to use her education to help give farmers and ranchers a voice they need to protect their livelihood.
Laura Beth Burandt calls Perryton home. She is a Junior Ag Media Communications major; her parents are Phil and Ann Burandt. Laura Beth was very active in 4-H prior to attending Frank Phillips College, then enrolling at WTAMU this year. Raised on the family ranch near Perryton, she developed an early love for agriculture, as a profession and lifestyle. Her goal is to obtain an education and ultimately a career that can to help farmers and ranchers and keep her close to her ranching heritage.
Ashlee Marie Adams is a Junior from Canyon. She is an Animal Science, Pre-Veterinary Medicine major. Her parents are Chris Adams and Tammy Adams. Ashlee is active in scholastic and other organizations, and has achieved recognition for her academic efforts. A long-time love of animals and a summer job at a local veterinary clinic convinced her that this was the career path meant for her.
Madilyn Elizabeth Shults is a Junior from Pampa. Her parents are Wendell and Charla Shults. She is an Agriculture Education major with plans to be a high school agriculture science teacher and ultimately pursue her Master's degree in Agriculture. Describing herself as a woman who loves agriculture, but did not grow up on the farm, her goal is to show that anyone can be involved in agriculture. Madilyn has received a number of academic recognitions and awards; this is her third year to receive a scholarship from the association.
These recipients exhibit a love of agriculture as their chosen field of study and in extracurricular activities. The WTAMU Foundation has done another fine job identifying worthy students for these scholarships. Panhandle-Plains Land Bank is proud to support these individuals and wishes them well as they continue their studies. Panhandle-Plains Land Bank provides long-term credit to farmers, ranchers, and agribusiness in 17 counties of the Panhandle and South Plains. Offices are located in Amarillo, Pampa, Perryton, and Plainview.
