2017 Scholarships Recipients
BY ASHLEY HODAK SULLIVAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR , GWA FOUNDATION
GWA Foundation has a long-standing tradition of providing scholarships to students studying in the field of communications and horticulture . For the past 10 years , the organization has awarded outstanding students more than $ 90,000 in financial assistance . This year ’ s selection process was difficult because there were so many good candidates ; we thank every individual who submitted an application . GWA Foundation is excited to introduce to you our 2017 scholarship recipients .
TONI HUDSPATH Toni is working toward a bachelor ’ s degree in horticulture with a focus on landscape design at Kansas State University . She participates in Horticulture Club and the Willow Lake Student Farm Club . These clubs offer the opportunity to use her newfound knowledge and associate with peers who have similar interests . As a member of the National Collegiate Landscape Contracting Team , Toni recently competed in the Woody Plant Identification Event at Brigham Young University in Provo , Utah . Toni is grateful to learn about a field she loves and excited to advance her knowledge .
JENNIFER KLIMOWICZ Jennifer is studying for her B . S . in horticulture at Temple University . She loves all aspects of horticulture and plans to go into a career in horticulture public relations upon graduation in 2018 . With a journalism degree from Temple University in 2011 , Jennifer is very excited to combine horticulture with writing . Having worked in the digital marketing field for the past several years , returning to school full time in Spring 2016 was a huge change , but very rewarding . Jennifer is very active in the Temple Ambler campus community . She served as Temple Ambler ’ s Native Plants Summer Intern in summer and fall , 2016 . She currently heads Temple ’ s Pi Alpha Xi horticulture honor society as president , is an active member of Temple ’ s Landscape Architecture and Horticulture Association ( LAHA ), writes for the Temple News , volunteers with Temple ’ s Contemplative Meditation Club and works at Temple Ambler ’ s greenhouse .
ISAAC LUHRS Isaac , a fraternal twin born in Northern California , was reared in Tennessee with five siblings . He attended four high schools , graduating in 2012 . Isaac received his A . S . in 2015 from Cleveland State Community College and is continuing his education at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville in the Department of Plant Sciences . Isaac is studying public horticulture and plans to graduate in fall of 2018 with a B . S . He looks forward to a career in gardens and natural resource conservation . Although he does not have a specific job in mind , he is optimistic . He has completed internships with the U . S . Forest Service and the Federal Wildlife Service . Isaac was a 2016 recipient of the Perennial Plant Association Scholarship Award . Also , as young garden designer , he looks forward to watching his most recent works evolve .
JENNA MALTBIE Jenna is a junior at Oklahoma State University , pursuing a major in agribusiness with a double major option in agricultural communications . Jenna currently works at Oklahoma Gardening Television , where she serves as the social media coordinator . As the coordinator , Jenna manages Oklahoma Gardening ’ s social media outlets and answers follower ’ s questions . Jenna ’ s passion for gardening was sown in the seeds she , her mother and grandmother planted together in their garden when she was young . Those precious moments were where she learned some of life ’ s greatest lessons and made priceless memories with her family . After completion of her degree , Jenna plans to pursue a career in marketing and sales in the food industry , as well as help educate the public on where their food comes from .
AVERY MARCOTT Avery is a graduating senior at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls , with a major in horticulture with a business emphasis . She grew up in the small town of Fountain City , Wisconsin , where she first was exposed to horticulture through her high school greenhouse and FFA . After finding her passion in horticulture , Avery fueled it further by exposing herself to horticulture through course
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