Delmarva Chicken Association Awards Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarships to Twelve Students
Delmarva Chicken Association has granted scholarships totaling $25,000 to 12 students pursuing college and graduate studies connected to careers in Delmarva's chicken industry through the DCA College Scholarship Program. Eleven of the recipients are enrolled in undergraduate programs and received $2,000 scholarships. A graduate student was also awarded a $3,000 scholarship.
"By supporting these students, DCA is nurturing in the next generation of leaders in our chicken community," said Holly Porter, DCA's executive director. "These young people are determined to put their learning and skills to good use in the chicken community. They'll join an essential, motivated workforce that puts tasty, nutritious chicken on the plates of Americans and the world."
The students receiving scholarships are:
Brielle Carter of Harrington, Del., a sophomore at the University of Delaware from Harrington, Del. After graduation, Carter hopes to either work directly in the agriculture industry or continue her education towards a career in soil science and conservation, helping producers find solutions for litter management and compost production. The scholarship will advance Carter's goal of studying agriculture production systems in New Zealand during a study-abroad semester.
Macy Cook of Cordova, Md., a first-year student at the University of Mount Olive in eastern North Carolina. This is Cook's second consecutive year winning a DCA scholarship. Raised on a poultry farm and pursuing an agribusiness degree, Cook is studying finance in hopes of working as a financial advisor who helps farmers craft profitable balance sheets.
Cirenio Hisasaga of Davis, Calif., a graduate student at the University of California – Davis who is on track to complete a Ph.D. program next spring. Hisasaga's graduate research focuses on determining differences in mitochondria from broilers affiliated with different severities of woody breast syndrome. He has also worked as an intern and student employee for Foster Farms, Cobb-Vantress Inc. and California Dairies and earned the Student Merit Award from the Pacific Egg & Poultry Association.
Allyson Holmes of Clayton, Del., who will enter Delaware State University in the fall and plans to become a chicken company flock supervisor after college. Holmes has held several leadership positions in the Smyrna High School FFA chapter and was a state star finalist at the 2023 Delaware FFA State Convention. "Ally has taken advantage of the opportunities presented to her through FFA, as well as embraced the academic challenges of maintaining a rigorous schedule that will give her the best opportunity to meet her career goals," her agri-science teacher wrote in a recommendation letter.
Avery Kerrick of Greenwood, Del., a Woodbridge High School graduate who will attend Delaware Valley University beginning this fall. A top-ranked student in her graduating class, Kerrick hopes to become a high school agricultural educator and "foster a passion for agriculture in my students," she wrote. She has grown up on a dairy farm in Greenwood, Del.; was senior class president at Woodbridge High; and was the 2023 Most Outstanding Delaware FFA Chapter President.
Bethany Knutsen of Harrington, Del., a University of Delaware sophomore planning to major in plant science. Knutsen is a member of UD's Ag College Council and was valedictorian of her graduating class at Woodbridge High School. Knutsen plans to become an agronomist and own a crop consulting business. "By supporting grain farmers and working to keep them successful, I am ultimately helping to ensure a reliable source of feed for the poultry industry," she noted.
Dillana Reed of Camden, Del., a Caesar Rodney High School graduate who will attend Delaware Valley University in the fall and intends to major in animal and livestock management. Reed participated in FFA in high school and finished the year serving as the high school's FFA chapter president. "I have seen tremendous growth in Dillana's leadership abilities through her involvement in FFA," her agriscience teacher told us in a recommendation letter.
Foster Smith of Bishopville, Md., a Stephen Decatur High School graduate and the son of a third-generation Delmarva farmer. Smith graduated from high school with a 4.0 GPA and will matriculate at Salisbury University in the fall. He "consistently demonstrates a strong work ethic, an eagerness to learn, and an unwavering dedication to academic excellence," his science teacher wrote in recommending his application. Smith hopes to work in a sales and marketing role for the chicken industry.
Sydney Thompson of Hartly, Del., who will graduate from Delaware Technical Community College next year with a degree in agribusiness management. Thompson has plans to work on her family's fifth-generation family farm, which raises chickens for Coleman Farms; a professor who recommended her application attested to her potential as an "advocate for the poultry industry."
Cecilia Uebel of Berlin, Md., who is a rising sophomore at the University of Delaware pursuing a degree in sustainable food systems. Uebel's career goal is to develop ways to increase chicken feed production, and she hopes to leverage grant funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to do so.
McKenna Vest of Clayton, Del., a Delaware Military Academy graduate ranked first in her graduating class who has been admitted to Texas A&M University. Vest aims to launch a career in agricultural marketing after college, a pursuit she hopes will sustain Delmarva's chicken community. "I want to make a difference in the industry that is the backbone of my home state," she wrote in her application.
Karley White of Middletown, Del., a Caesar Rodney High School graduate who will attend the University of Delaware this fall. White was deeply involved in her high school's FFA chapter and intends to obtain a bachelor's degree and a doctorate in veterinary medicine, which would prepare her for a career monitoring chicken flock health. White's "work ethic and perseverance are above anything I have ever seen in another student throughout my teaching career," her agri-science teacher wrote in recommending her application.
Since 1985, DCA has awarded $222,000 to students pursuing chicken careers through its College Scholarship Program. The scholarships are funded by DCA's College Scholarship Golf Tournament, taking place this year on Sept. 30 at GlenRiddle Golf Club in Berlin, Md.
About Delmarva Chicken Association
Delmarva Chicken Association, founded in 1948, is the Delmarva chicken industry's voice as the premier membership association focusing on advocacy, education and member relations. DCA's vision is to be the most-respected chicken organization in the United States. For more information about the Delmarva Chicken Association, visit www.dcachicken.com or call 302-856-9037.