Mustang News
Seven Cal Poly students received $1,000–$2,000 scholarships from the San Luis Obispo County CattleWomen, according to co-chair Pat Abel. The association’s scholarships support local agriculture students from high school, Cuesta College and Cal Poly, according their website.
“Being honored is a blessing,” animal science sophomore Brooklynn Beck said. ‘They’re helping me through my educational endeavors at Cal Poly. I think this is a testament to their faith in me. My return is to promise to always make them proud.”
Funds for the San Luis Obispo County CattleWomen Scholarship Award come from a variety of events that the association holds every year like a fashion show, silent auctions and a roping competition, according to Pam McPherson co-chair of the scholarship committee for the association.
Among the 52 applicants for awards this year, only 18 were selected — five of those being Cal Poly students, according to McPherson.
“They’re high achievers academically, but extremely involved in leadership, community volunteerism and lots of different clubs that support [agriculture] education,” McPherson said.
Two students received scholarships through the California CattleWomen association through anonymous donors, according to Nicole Nicholson, president of San Luis Obispo County CattleWomen’s association.
Animal science freshman Karlie Erskine received the Barbara and Steve Hearst academic scholarship, which is funded by the Hearst family.
“I was super excited,” Erskine said. “The CattleWomen’s is just an amazing association, and I really wanted to keep getting involved with them and the work that they do.”
Erskine said she appreciates how personal the SLO County CattleWomen scholarship committee is. Both Abel and McPherson made an appearance at the Cal Poly Young Cattlemen’s association to talk about the program and scholarships.
“I was very grateful, and I thought it was an amazing opportunity. I was very fortunate to win.”
Recipients must plan to use their education to promote agriculture, according to McPherson. SLO County CattleWomen organization presented awards at Madonna Inn last week.
“I’m just proud of looking at the number of applicants that are good quality kids that are pursuing agriculture,” Abel said. “I think that’s really rewarding in itself.”
“It is always great to see our students recognized for their hard work and dedication to the industries they serve,” said AnnMarie Cornejo, director of communications for the Cal Poly college of agriculture, food and environmental sciences.
The San Luis Obispo County CattleWomen Scholarship Award
Kennedy Janeway, agricultural business freshman
Josie Meyring, agricultural communications freshman
Colt Piazza, agricultural science freshman
Adeline Scott, agricultural business freshman
Laila Shea, animal science freshman
The Kathy Loftus academic scholarship
Brooklynn Beck, animal science sophomore
Barbara and Steve Hearst academic scholarship
Karlie Erskine, animal science freshman
California CattleWomen Heritage Foundation scholarship (Not counted in the seven from SLO County)
Grace Peek, agricultural science senior
Bella Cox is a news reporter and journalism major. She joined MMG because she hopes to one day work at a newspaper or magazine and wanted to gain more experience. She also knows how important journalism… More by Bella Cox
Support Cal Poly’s student-run local news source.
Follow us on Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts.
