Rock Island County Farm Bureau Foundation Awards $16,000 in Scholarships to Local Students – WRMJ

The Rock Island County Farm Bureau Foundation has awarded $16,000 in scholarships to seven exceptional students as part of its 2025 scholarship program. The annual awards are given to students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and a strong commitment to community service. Scholarship recipients are selected by an independent committee appointed by the Foundation’s Board of Directors, with funding provided by generous contributions from families and local charitable foundations.
This year, two high school seniors received $1,500 Foundation Scholarships. Emma DeKeyrel, daughter of Jodi and Andrew DeKeyrel and a 2025 graduate of Rockridge High School, will attend Scott Community College this fall to study ASL – English Interpreting. Macy Hoag, daughter of Mandy and Steve Hoag and also a 2025 Rockridge graduate, will attend Joliet Junior College to pursue an Agriculture Transfer program. These scholarships were made possible thanks to contributions from several families, including the family of Myron and Helen Mueller, who have supported Foundation scholarships annually since 2009. Additional funding was provided by the Lowell Johnson Charitable Foundation, the Churchill Family Foundation, and the family of Glenn Mueller.
Four students earned $2,500 scholarships through the Wilbert and Carol Keppy Charitable Foundation. Lilyanne Bohnsack, a 2025 graduate of Rockridge High School, will attend Iowa State University to study Architecture. Laikyn Parchert, also a Rockridge graduate, plans to study Agriculture Studies at Iowa State. Makayla Oleson, a graduate of Riverdale High School, will also attend Iowa State University to major in Animal Science. Savanah Hauger, a graduate of Sherrard High School, will attend Southeastern Community College this fall to study Criminal Justice, Spanish, and complete an EMT certification.
The George and Irene Stulz Family Scholarship, established in 2018, was awarded this year to Douglas DeKeyrel. A 2022 graduate of Rockridge High School and the son of Dana and Angela DeKeyrel, Douglas is currently a student at Iowa State University majoring in Agricultural Business. He will begin his senior year this fall and received a $1,000 scholarship toward his continued studies. This award is reserved for juniors or seniors at four-year universities who are pursuing careers in agriculture.
Finally, the $2,000 Kenneth Bush Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Claire Stanforth, a 2025 graduate of Rockridge High School. Claire, the daughter of Joey and Kirk Stanforth, will attend the University of Iowa to study Radiation Sciences. The scholarship was created in memory of Kenny Bush, a longtime leader of the Rock Island County Farm Bureau who served as Vice President from 1968 to 1970 and President from 1970 to 1974. He and his wife Marilyn were strong supporters of education and the local farm community. Following Kenny’s passing in 2020, the Bush family established the scholarship to honor his legacy of service, hard work, and faith.
Scholarship applications for the 2026 cycle will be available beginning around January 1. For more information, contact the Rock Island County Farm Bureau at (309) 736-7432 or visit www.ricofarmbureau.org/foundation.
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