Jefferson County Agri-Business Club names 12 scholarship recipients

The Jefferson County Agri-Business Club has announced that it has named 12 scholarship recipients.  

The recipients, listed in alphabetical order, include: Hanna Brattlie, Andrew Dettmann, Marnie Draves, Tawney Hadler, Nathan Hartwig, Alyssa Jaehnke, Emma Lemke, Mia Schroeder, Melia Schueller, Luis Avila Vette, Paige Wangerin, and Emily Zillisch. 

The recipients received their awards during a club meeting held in April. 

According to information released by the club, the Jefferson County Agribusiness Club annually awards scholarships to students pursuing careers in agriculture through post-secondary education. Funds for scholarships are raised throughout the year, with primary fundraising coming through a food stand at the Jefferson County Fair and an annual cheese sale prior to the Christmas holiday.  

“We had a very successful Jefferson County Fair food stand and holiday cheese and meat sale, so we are able to make $8,750 available to 12 local youth in the form of college scholarships,” Leigh Cheesebro, the club’s scholarship subcommittee chairwoman, was quoted as saying in the release. 

Students considered for an award were asked to complete an application, which included details about their school activities, leadership roles, and work experience, along with a letter of recommendation. Applicants also were asked to two agriculture-related essay questions, the release stated. 

This year’s recipients include five students who are currently enrolled in college, the release noted. 

Some biographical information about each recipient follows. 

Hanna Brattlie 

Hanna Brattlie, a senior at Cambridge High School, a 10-year member of the Lake Ripley 4-H Club and a six-year member of the Cambridge FFA, will be attending the University of Wisconsin-Platteville where she will study animal and meat science. During the course of her high school career, Brattlie played on the school’s volleyball team for four years and was a member of the Academic Decathlon team. As an FFA member, Brattlie served as a club president and secretary, and as a chapter secretary. She also developed her communication skills through Creed Speaking and meats judging, Her Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) explored poultry production and she won recognition through the Wisconsin International Poultry Show. In addition, she has worked at Jelli’s Market, Schuster Playtime Farm, Premiere Couture Dress Shop, and St. Paul’s Lutheran Daycare Center. 

Marnie Draves

Marnie Draves, a student at UW-Plattevile, is majoring in land management and soil science,  with a minor in business. As a Fort Atkinson FFA student, Draves completed an SAE  project focusing on maple syrup and jam production. As a Fort Atkinson High School student, she played in the orchestra, and was a member of the school’s volleyball and softball teams, and swim club, earning an athletic letter. She has worked at the Cambridge Winery, and served as a volunteer during the Fourth Grade Farm Tour. 

Andrew Dettmann 

Andrew Dettmann, a graduate of Watertown High School, is a student at UW-Madison where he is studying agronomy. While at school, Dettmann is a member of the Badger Crops and Badger Dairy clubs, and serves as a crops judge. During his high school career, Dettmann participated in cross country and was a member of the school’s band. As a Watertown FFA member, he served on the agricultural mechanics team, and competed in the agricultural sales event and the FFA quiz bowl, where he competed on the state level. He also is a member of the Farmington All-Stars, which includes bringing exhibits to county and state fairs. Dettmann has been involved with projects in dairy, sheep and rocketry, and has served as a member of the county’s meat judging team. 

Tawney Hadler 

Tawney Hadler, a senior at Fort Atkinson High School, will be attending Western Washington University, where she plans to follow a course of study allowing her to become a agricultural teacher. Among scholarship, Hadler is a repaint of the Will Larsen memorial award, given to students who plan to become an ag teacher or FFA advisor. As a high school student, Hadler has been a member of the debate team for three years, serving as team captain, and was a quarterfinalist and a semifinalist in statewide debate competitions, and a three-time qualifier for the national debate competition.  She also has been recognized with letters in academics, forensics and performing arts. She has also been a 4-H member for four years, serving as photographer, parliamentarian, treasurer, vice president and president.  In the Fort Atkinson FFA, she earned her Greenhand degree.  Hadler owns and operates a business painting and selling barn squares, and has worked at Jones Market. She has volunteered at a number of agricultural events. 

Nathan Hartwig 

Nathan Hartwig, a senior at Fort Atkinson High School, will be attending UW-Madison or Iowa State University, where he plans to study agricultural business. He has worked at Hartwig Poultry Farms, and has served on the FFA poultry judging team. While in high school, he has served as the captain of the baseball team and has been a team member for four years, Additionally, Hartwig has been a member of the basketball team and a cross country runner. He was a member of the school’s homecoming court. Hartwig also enjoys volunteering at camps for young baseball players. 

Alyssa Jaehnke 

Alyssa Jaehnke, a senior at Waterloo High School, will be attending Madison College where she plans to study environmental science. She will next transfer to UW-Platteville, with her sights set to work for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as a hydrologist or soil scientist upon graduation. As an FFA member, Jaehnke served as president and sentinel, and participated in a diversified horticultural project. While in high school, she has been a member of the National Honor Society, and has participated in forensics, band, solo and ensemble, and pep band. In addition, Jaehnke qualified at the state level in competitions  for forensics, speech, and solo and ensemble. She won Silver recognition at the state level in speech competition. She has worked as a lifeguard at her high school and River Bend Resort.

Emma Lemke 

Emma Lemke, a student at UW-Platteville, is studying elementary education and agribusiness. While attending Fort Atkinson High School, she was a member of the Stone School 4-H Club and Fort Atkinson FFA, where she served as vice president of community development and the club’s reporter. She also participated in a sheep project. Lemke also earned high recognitions from the National FFA organization and the American FFA Degree program. She was a member of the school’s basketball team for three years, and a member of the National Honor Society. Since becoming a student at UW-Platteville, she has been placed on the Dean’s List, and serves as secretary of the Agronomy Club, historian of the Collegiate Farm Bureau, and is a member of Block and Bridle Club.

Mia Schroeder

Mia Schroeder, a graduate of Lake Mills High School, is a junior at UW-Platteville where she is studying agri-business with an emphasis in management. As a member of the Two Rivers 4-H Club, Schroeder raised swine, and served as the club’s president for five years. She also earned her American FFA degree. While in high school, she played volleyball, softball, ran track, and participated on the school’s dance team, and in band, and French Club. She earned varsity and academic letters, and was included on high honor roll. At UW-Platteville, Schroeder is a member of the track and field team and National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA). She works in the campus bookstore and on Pioneer Farm.

Melia Schueller

Melia Schueller, a senior at Fort Atkinson High School, will be attending Taylor University where she will study equine rehabilitation. While in high school, she has earned a GPA of 3.95. She has been a member of the Rock River Clovers and Fort Atkinson FFA. Her SAE project revolved around the care of her own horse and her work experience at Lone Star Stables. In addition, her FFA experience includes judging daily and horses. She spent her summers exhibiting cattle and horses at the county fair, and served as a 4-H club secretary and reporter. While in high school, Schueller has participated as a member of the swim and track teams, and was a four-year member of the school’s show choir. She has earned letters for academics and vocal music.  

Luis Avila Vette 

Luis Avila Vette, a student at UW-Platteville, is a graduate from Watertown High School. At college, he studies soil and crop science. As a member of Watertown FFA, he participated in creed speaking, soil judging and was a member of the Parliamentary Procedure Team, placing first in parliamentary procedure and employment skills contests. In addition, he has served as chapter sentinel and reporter. He also earned first place team at World Dairy Expo’s forage judging contest. Avila Vette focused on grain and forage production as his FFA SAE project. He maintains a garden and sells vegetable locally. A member of the Lebanon Luckies 4-H Club, he participated in several projects and played youth baseball. Avila Vette is active in his church, undertaking projects and serving as a confirmation mentor. At UW-Platteville, he is a member of the collegiate soils judging team, and the Pioneer Dairy and Horticulture clubs. 

Paige Wangerin

Paige Wangerin, a senior at Fort Atkinson High School, plans a future as a large animal veterinarian. As a 4-H member, she has served as an officer for five years. While in high school, she has been a member of the softball team for four years, and has earned both academic and athletic letters. In addition, Wangerin has served as a volunteer with the community food pantry, Meals on Wheels, and Feed Your Soul. She has been employed on area farms and as a retail associate at Tuttle’s Hallmark Shop.

Emily Zillisch 

Emily Zillisch, a student at Iowa State University, is a graduate of Jefferson High School. She is studying  agronomy and dairy science and envisions a career in seed sales, dairy nutrition, or calf management. While in college she has been involved with the Agronomy Club and serves as the public relations officer for the Dairy Science Club. While a member the Jefferson FFA club, she served twice as president and as chapter historian. In high school, Zillisch played volleyball for three years, was a member of the gymnastics team for three years, and track and field team for four years. She earned her varsity letter in all three sports. Additionally, as a high school student, she worked at Magritz Dairy LLC, where she milked and fed cows. She also served as a volunteer at St. Vincent de Paul thrift store and a fall festival held at her church.