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24 NextGen scholars receive $268,000 in second round of scholarships

The U.S. Department of Agriculture NextGen Program has awarded 24 additional scholarships worth a total of $268,000 to undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Alaska º£½ÇÂÛ̳. 

This latest round brings the total number of scholarships awarded for the 2024 academic year to 55, for a total of $525,000. More than 83% of the funds were allocated to underrepresented or first-generation college students, underscoring the USDA’s dedication to promoting diversity and equity in agricultural education.

Through these scholarships, the NextGen Program supports and equips scholars with knowledge and opportunities. This includes participation in events like the annual Alaska Farm Bureau conference in November, where students could explore careers in agriculture.

The following students received the NextGen scholarships.

Fall scholars

• Nuu Alaelua, Anchorage, AK
• Amy Ashbach, º£½ÇÂÛ̳, AK
• Lenore Bifelt, North Pole, AK
• Hudson Bolduc, Chino Hills, CA
• Amber Bratlie, Wasilla, AK
• Louinese Brave, Nassau, Bahamas
• Callen Christensen, º£½ÇÂÛ̳, AK
• Charles Flint, º£½ÇÂÛ̳, AK
• Jennifer Hoppough, º£½ÇÂÛ̳, AK
• Danielle Huseby, Templeton, CA
• Kelly Isham, Kenai, AK
• Ryan Lanting, Albuquerque, NM
• Mel Maendel, Arvada, CA
• Roman Marvin, Huntington Beach, CA
• Adam Militello, Essexville, MI
• Aaron Needham, º£½ÇÂÛ̳, AK
• Onyx Nelsen, Palmer, AK
• Asaaluk Nichols, Nome, AK
• Ty Nichols, Jonesboro, AR
• Lynsie Paul, Kwigillingok, AK
• Wesley Perkins, Columbus, OH
• Inga Peterson, Fort Wainwright, AK
• Samantha Sink, Anchorage, AK
• Ruth Wolfe, Seward, AK

Spring scholars

• August-Michelle Abukasis, º£½ÇÂÛ̳, AK
• Alyssa Adams, Bunnlevel, NC
• Ashlyn Baldwin, Southport, NC
• Nathanael Brunken, Mililani, HI
• Scott Chandler, Moab, UT
• Sujung Chung, Davis, CA
• Rachel Cox, North Pole, AK
• Emilie Entrikin, South Saint Paul, MN
• Jillian Kates, º£½ÇÂÛ̳, AK
• Irina Koval, Delta Junction, AK
• Iza Lepkowski, Palos Hills, IL
• Olivia Manley, º£½ÇÂÛ̳, AK
• Itsariya Maupin, º£½ÇÂÛ̳, AK
• Jet Nguyen, Sherwood, OR
• Emma Pflughoeft, North Pole, AK
• Kristen Reece, º£½ÇÂÛ̳, AK
• Alexis Rexford, Gambell, AK
• Kaylyn Riley, º£½ÇÂÛ̳, AK
• Jacob Rogers, º£½ÇÂÛ̳, AK
• Nalugalria Usugan-Weddington, Seward, AK
• Cameron Walker, Pittsfield, IL
• Terry Williamson, Butte, MT

Scholarship applications for the next academic year will open in early February 2025. Eligible students are encouraged to apply. For more information about the USDA NextGen Program or the upcoming scholarship application process, visit the website  or contact Jay Clapeck at jjclapeck@alaska.edu.

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