The Maryland State Fair & Agricultural Society Inc. has awarded a combined $20,000 in college scholarships through its F. Grove Miller Maryland State Fair Scholarship Program and the Marlin K. Hoff Scholarship Program to 10 students from throughout the state.
An additional $20,000 in other college scholarships and educational awards were presented by The Maryland State Fair & Agricultural Society, Inc. during the 2024 Maryland State Fair season.
Laura Jean Maher, an Essex native, was one of the 10 scholarship recipients. She attends the University of Maryland College Park and majors in agricultural science and technology. Mayer has participated in the Maryland State Fair in the Holstein Cattle division.
Marissa Bookoff is another Baltimore County native who was named an F. Grove Miller Scholarship Awardee. Bookoff is from Phoenix in the northern section of the county. She attends Virginia Commonwealth University, majoring in fine arts with a focus on sculpture.
Bookoff has participated in the Maryland State Fair as a 4-H and open-class exhibitor for the last 14 years.
“Since its inception in 1879, agriculture education has been one of the Maryland State Fair’s top priorities,” Maryland State Fair General Manager Andy Cashman said.
“Our competitive scholarships highlight and reward the accomplishments of youth, help them with their educational pursuits, and promote the importance of agriculture to our state, country and world.”
The F. Grove Miller Maryland State Fair Scholarship Program annually recognizes the importance of education and youth participation in the Maryland State Fair.
This year, the Maryland State Fair & Agricultural Society, Inc. awarded nine $2,000 Scholarships to Maryland youth who have participated as exhibitors at the Maryland State Fair and who are enrolled in a four-year college, post-secondary college or trade school.
Applicants completed an application and essay on the impact of their experience participating in the Maryland State Fair and how the scholarship will benefit them with their career goals.
The other 2024 F. Grove Miller Maryland State Fair Scholarship Winners are as follows:
Caroline Clark, of Thurmont in Frederick County, attends University of Maryland College Park majoring in Animal Science. Caroline has been a 4-H Livestock Exhibitor since she was young and still exhibits at the Maryland State Fair. The Maryland State Fair & Agricultural Society Inc. a private non-profit 501©(3) organization, supports agriculture, education. preserves and promotes Maryland’s agricultural roots, and provides competitions and events showcasing Maryland’s premier industry.Austin Doppel, of Hagerstown in Washington County, attends Hagerstown Community College majoring in Exercise Science. Austin participated in the Maryland State Fair Market Goat, Dairy Goat, Swine, and Sheep divisions.Andrew Heffner, of Columbia in Howard County, attends Howard Community College majoring in Plant Science. Andrew participated in the Maryland State Fair in a variety of Home Arts divisions.Elisabeth Holmes, of Fallston in Harford County, attends Elon University majoring in Computer Science and Data Analytics. Elisabeth participated in the Maryland State Fair Farm & Garden division.Ashlynn Kidwell, of Sykesville in Carroll County, attends University of Maryland College Park majoring in Animal Science with a minor in Sustainability. Ashlynn participated in the Maryland State Fair Poultry division, is a member of the Maryland State Fair Junior Fair Board and is president of the MD 4-H State Council. Ashlynn assists with many events during the state fair including U-Learn Barn, Barnyard Bedtime Tales, and other agriculture education programs.Sierra Wean, of New Windsor in Carroll County, attends West Virginia University studying Agricultural and Extension Education and plans to become an agricultural teacher. She is the Co-Captain of the Western Equestrian team. Sierra participated in the Maryland State Fair as a member of the Maryland State Fair Junior Fair Board and as a State FFA Officer in U-Learn Farm.Bryce Zepp, of New Windsor in Carroll County, attends Stevenson University majoring in Business. Bryce participated in the Maryland State Fair Dairy and Beef divisions and the Maryland State Dairy Judging Contest.
The 2024 Marlin K. Hoff $2,000 Scholarship is awarded to a Maryland youth who exhibited at the Maryland State Fair, has carried a dairy project, and is enrolled in a four-year college, post-secondary college or trade school.
2024 Marlin K. Hoff Scholarship Winner:
Kelsey Zepp, of New Windsor in Carroll County, attends Black Hawk Community College — East Campus in Galva, Illinois. Kelsey participated in the Maryland State Fair Dairy, Beef, Goat, and Sheep divisions and in the Maryland State Dairy and Livestock judging contests. Most recently, she was a Maryland State Fair Administrative Intern.
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