YOUTH IN AG
Where are They Now ?
Catching up with FCS Financial ’ s 2012 Scholarship Recipients
By Joann Pipkin
FCS Financial ’ s board of directors implemented a program in 2003 to encourage and support higher education for children or grandchildren of FCS Financial customers . Since its inception , more than half a million dollars in scholarships have been awarded to 460 qualified applicants .
Now in its 15th year , FCS Financial ’ s scholarship program annually distributes up to 35 scholarships of $ 1,500 each . Funds were first distributed in 2004 .
FCS Financial is committed to supporting the agricultural youth of Missouri . As a cooperative , this scholarship is one of the ways FCS Financial gives back to its members and supports communities .
Here ’ s an inside look at what some of the 2012 recipients are doing now – five years after graduating high school .
SAVANNAH ANGELL - CENTRALIA A December 2015 graduate of the University of Missouri with a degree in animal science , Savannah was active in Collegiate Cattle Women and held an internship
Savannah Angell 14 HEARTBEAT | WINTER 2017
with Missouri ’ s Cattlemen Foundation while in college .
In addition , she spent a summer working at the Hermann Wurst Haus learning about food service and meat processing . Savannah received the MU Division of Animal Science ’ s Top 10 Senior Award in 2015 .
“ I was lucky enough to be a quick 30 minute drive to Boonville where I worked at my family ’ s livestock market during school ,” she said .
Savannah said she ’ s extremely grateful to the College of Agriculture Food and Natural Resources ( CAFNR ) for their study abroad program options and support to participants .
“ I have always loved traveling and decided sometime in my middle school years that study abroad was the most amazing thing about college ,” she said . “ Fast forward a few years , and I jumped at the chance to spend a semester in New Zealand . I was lucky to make friends from all over the United States , and I even lived in an apartment with girls from Norway and France .
New Zealand is a tiny country next to Australia , and due to its small size and location the country focuses on premium , branded products , Savannah said . “ For example , they can ’ t compete with the volume of wool produced by Australia , but the “ New Zealand Wool ” label is sure to pop up as a promise of quality on $ 20 wool socks here in the U . S .,” she noted . “ For small , beginning agriculturalists like me , this quality first approach is applicable .”
Savannah said her academic education laid the foundation for her current job in her family ’ s business . “ I think the professors and peers I met at school were the best part of my experience ,” she said . “ I have been quite lucky to have several MU faculty offer to help or provide resources as I get started in my working life .”