Meet Our 2024 Scholarship Recipients (2024)

The Farm Credit of Western Arkansas scholarship program has awarded over $400,000 to talented students since 1996. Those awarded demonstrate exemplary academic achievement, leadership, extracurricular involvement, volunteer activities and financial need.

To qualify, applicants must be full-time students at an accredited college, university, or trade program for the 2024-25 academic year. They must also be the children/grandchildren of Farm Credit of Western Arkansas members or members themselves.

Ten recipients were chosen this year and will each be awarded a $2,000 scholarship.

The winners are as follows:

Alyssa Jones

Alyssa recently graduated from Murfreesboro High School. There, she was a member of many extracurriculars, including FCCLA, EAST, Beta Club and archery. Alyssa excelled within these organizations and received awards for her efforts. She also volunteered in several community service activities.

Alyssa plans to attend Southern Arkansas University in the fall, double majoring inmarketing and graphic design. She then plans to pursue an MBA so that she may achieve her goal of starting her own marketing and graphic design company.

Bannon Price

Bannon recently graduated from Ashdown High School. There, he served as a member of Senator Boozman's Congressional Youth Cabinet and founded the Arkansas Initiative for Change. He also participated in numerous other activities and volunteer efforts and was valedictorian of his class.

This fall, he plans to attend Harvard University and pursue a degree in government and economics. After college, Bannon hopes to attend law school and graduate with his Juris Doctorate.

He aims to use his education to advocate for the needs of the agriculture industry and rural communities like the one he grew up in. His dream is to one day serve as a United States senator representing Arkansas.

Benjamin DeSalvo

Benjamin is from Center Ridge, Arkansas and currently attends West Texas A&M University. He is studying animal science pre-veterinary medicine and is set to graduate in 2026.

He is involved in the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association, Collegiate Farm Bureau and Collegiate Vet Club. After college, Benjamin plans to attend vet school and pursue a career in large animal clinical work.

Benjamin was raised on his family’s Brangus and Ultrablack cattle ranch and hopes to continue the progress and success of past generations by eventually taking over the farm.

Emilee Lyons

Emilee is a recent graduate from Bradley High School. She plans to attend Southern Arkansas University in the fall, where she will major in biology. After she graduates, she plans to attend physical therapy school.

While in high school, Emilee participated in several clubs and extracurriculars. She achieved success within these activities, including a state championship in the Arkansas FFA forestry competition. She has also shown success while exhibiting livestock and has won on local, state and national levels.

Grace Wagner

Grace recently graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a degree in exercise science. She will begin studying through UCA’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program in the fall.

While in college, Grace participated in Baptist Collegiate Ministry, Living Unleashed, Purple Society, Exercise Science Club and more. She also completed volunteer work and is currently a rehabilitation technician.

Upon graduation, Grace hopes to secure a physical therapist job in an acute setting or within the military.

Lauren Koch

Lauren recently graduated from Mayflower High School and plans to study nursing at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in the fall.

While in high school, she excelled in multiple clubs and extracurriculars and logged over two hundred volunteer hours.

After receiving her undergraduate degree, Lauren plans to attend graduate school at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and complete their Doctor of Nursing Practice Program. Her ultimate career goal is to work as a nurse practitioner.

Lucy Jackson

Lucy recently graduated as valedictorian from Foreman High School. In high school, she participated in many clubs and extracurriculars and volunteered in different community service activities.

This fall, she plans to study communication sciences and disorders at Ouachita Baptist University. Upon graduation, she intends to pursue her master’s degree in speech-language pathology. Her ultimate goal is to return to live and work in southwest Arkansas to give back to her family, church, and local community.

Rose Gunther

Rose is currently a junior at Arkansas Tech University studying agribusiness. She is a member of the Presidential Leadership Cabinet and National Society for Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS).She has also volunteered in numerous community service activities.

While in college, she hopes to pursue several internships and continue exploring courses that prepare her for leadership. Upon graduation, Rose would like to pursue a career in either agribusiness, agricultural education or politics.

Rylee Youngblood

Rylee is a recent graduate from Ashdown High School. This fall, she plans to study agricultural communications at the University of Arkansas.

Rylee has participated in numerous agricultural activities, including FFA, 4-H and showing livestock. While in high school, she was a member of organizations such as Future Business Leaders of America and student council.

After college, Rylee plans to attend law school to study agricultural law. She hopes to give back to the industry by becoming involved in agricultural production, marketingand distribution.

Wesley Scroggins

Welsey recently graduated from Pottsville High School. This fall, he plans to study imaging sciences at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith.

Wesley grew up on his family’s cattle farm and has been a member of 4-H and FFA for many years. During high school, he was involved in varsity golf and Beta Club.

Upon graduating college, Wesely plans to receive his certification in both radiography and sonography. When he graduates, he would like to work in a hospital and perform skills such as x-rays, CT scans, MRIsand ultrasounds.