The Wisconsin Pork Association recognized scholarship recipients during the organization’s annual meeting. Seven high school seniors and college students from across the state earned a total of $6,500 in scholarship funds.
Whitmore Memorial Scholarship
The Whitmore Memorial Scholarship is a legacy to the late Rex Whitmore, a master statesman and communicator who served as the first executive director of WPA. Applicants for this scholarship must be a junior or senior at UW-Madison, UW-Platteville, or UW-River Falls. Preference goes to animal science majors.
Brayden Peter earned the $1,500 scholarship. Peter, from Howards Grove, is a junior at UW-Platteville, where he is double majoring in animal science and agricultural business. With a strong passion for agriculture, he has combined his academic studies with hands-on experience from his family’s show pig operation. After graduation, Peter hopes to pursue a career in the pork industry.
Gunderson Memorial Scholarship
WPA, in cooperation with the family of Buell Gunderson, established a scholarship program in 2007 to recognize the many contributions that Buell Gunderson made to the Wisconsin pork industry. Gunderson and his wife, Bernice, served as Secretary/Treasurer of the Wisconsin Pork Association for over two decades. Consideration goes to youth who have established their own production herd, been involved in their family operation, or shown specific interest in pork production or livestock judging.
Jenna Brogley earned a $1,000 scholarship, Mallory Cepress earned a $750 scholarship, and Wyatt Stowell earned a $500 scholarship.
Brogley, from Platteville, is attending UW-Platteville, where she is majoring in agribusiness with a minor in marketing and communications. She is committed to using her skills to address challenges and foster innovation within the agricultural sector.
Cepress hails from Arpin. She is planning to attend Iowa State University to study animal science. She was introduced to the pork industry through her show pig project in 4-H. Cepress enjoys giving back to the industry that has taught her so much and helped shape who she is today. She hopes to obtain a career in either animal genetics or swine nutrition, as well as operate her own show pig operation.
Stowell of Waupun is the secretary for his FFA chapter, a youth leader of the Achievers 4-H Club, and a member of the Dodge County Pork Producers. He owns two crossbred sows that produce the pigs that he sells and shows at the Dodge and Fond du Lac County fairs. Stowell plans to attend either UW-River Falls or Iowa State University next fall to study animal science. He hopes to work toward a career in the swine industry.
WPA Fredrich Memorial Scholarship
Established in 2018 through funding from the Southeast Wisconsin Pork Producers, this scholarship honors Clarence Fredrich. He was very supportive of youth programming in agriculture as well as community events and activities. This scholarship is offered to students in Walworth, Racine, and Kenosha counties.
Kyra Hetland and Zander Rasmussen each earned a $1,000 scholarship, and Piper Nuehring earned a $750 scholarship.
Hetland is from Burlington. She plans to attend Florida Southern College to major in biology with a minor in pre-veterinary medicine. Hetland has been active in the Wisconsin Show Pig Association, Team Purebred, her FFA Chapter, and 4-H club. Her love for the pork industry will continue in her future career plans as she hopes to become a large animal veterinarian.
Rasmussen resides in Union Grove. He will be attending Warner University in Lake Wales, Florida in the Fall of 2025 where he will be majoring in agricultural business and animal science. Rasmussen will also be shooting on the Clay Target Team for the Warner Royals. He is active in his FFA chapter, the clay target shooting team, and his church. Rasmussen’s passion for the pork industry stemmed from his youth swine project where he has shown at all levels and now breeds his own females. He plans to pursue a career as a large animal veterinarian and is excited to give back to the livestock industry.
Nuehring of Elkhorn is currently a student at UW-River Falls studying agriculture education. Growing up, she exhibited livestock at the Walworth County Fair and enjoyed holding leadership roles in her 4-H and FFA chapters, both of which taught her many life lessons. Nuehring is currently an active member of the Sigma Alpha sorority at UW-River Falls. In her future career, she hopes to impact youth by sparking their interest in agricultural careers.
