National DHIA announces $18K in scholarship recipients

The National Dairy Herd Information Association Scholarship Committee selected 18 high school seniors and college students to receive a $1,000 scholarship. Committee members ranked applicants based on scholastic achievements, leadership in school and community activities, and responses to DHI- and career-related questions.

To be eligible for a National DHIA scholarship, applicants must be a family member or employee of a herd on DHI test, a family member of a DHI employee, or an employee of a DHI affiliate. The DHI affiliate for the herd or affiliate employee must be a National DHIA member.

This year’s National DHIA scholarship recipients are:

• Lillian Agueda, Hickman, Calif. (parents: Tony and Diane Agueda)
• Jon Chapman, Turlock, Calif. (parents: Katherine Teixeira and Jon Chapman)
• Claudia Frenchick, St. Martin, Minn. (parent: Amanda Frenchick)
• Alexis Hoefs, New Prague, Minn. (parents: Jim and Lisa Hoefs)
• Blake Jauquet, Luxemburg, Wis. (parents: David and Stacy Jauquet)
• Katie Ketchum, Altura, Minn. (parents: Mike and Mary Ketchum)
• Sam Miller, Viola, Wis. (parents: Kathryn and Stuart Miller)
• Jacob Mitchell, Freeport, Ill. (parents: Matthew and Stephanie Mitchell)
• Ainsley Noble, Lancaster, Wis. (parents: Troy and Jaime Noble)
• Annabelle Pronschinske, Rollingstone, Minn. (parents: Kim and Kimberly Pronschinske)
• Abigail Roskom, Lena, Wis. (parents: Scott and Jackie Roskom)
• Liviya Russo, Lunenburg, Vt. (parents Samantha and Stephen Russo)
• Ella Saal, West Salem, Ohio (parents: Mark and Carolyn Saal)
• Alexis Schultz, Marion, N.Y. (parents: Shane and Shandele Schultz)
• Sophie Stelling, Millville, Minn. (parents: Brent and Tricia Stelling)
• Jellie Waterlander, Pine River Wis. (parents: Harmen and Edna Waterlander)
• Connor Weltzien, Arcadia, Wis. (parents: Keith and Karen Weltzien)
• Matthew Winch, Fennimore, Wis. (parents: Peter and Christina Winch).

For the 17th consecutive year, the National DHIA awarded scholarships in memory of Joe Drexler, who worked for NorthStar Cooperative DHI Services (now known as CentralStar Cooperative Inc. — DHI Services). Blake Jauquet, Abigail Roskom, and Jellie Waterlander received the Joe Drexler scholarships. NorthStar members and employees, friends, and family contributed nearly $10,000 to establish this scholarship fund.

Money generated from the annual National DHIA Scholarship Auction primarily funds the organization’s scholarship program. Investments and donations also help build the fund. 

On July 1, 2025, the 2026 National DHIA Scholarship application will be posted on the National DHIA website. Applications are due Oct. 31, 2025.