scholarships
For over 30 years, the NILE (Northern International Livestock Exposition) has awarded scholarships to deserving FFA and 4-H students who have been leaders in their respective programs, excelled in the classroom, participated in NILE events and are actively involved in their communities.
- High School One Time Scholarship – Awarded to high school seniors that meet the qualifications listed in the guidelines.
- Rolling Scholarship – The rolling scholarships will be offered to a select group of High School Seniors who will have the opportunity to renew the scholarship yearly, up to four years of their secondary education. Recipients of rolling scholarships will be chosen from the pool of applicants that are current seniors in High School.
- Secondary One Time Scholarship – A one-time grant, for students already enrolled in College or a Vo-Tech school meeting the qualifications.
- Shining Star: All qualified applicants are eligible. This scholarship is for an applicant that stands out in the crowd.
- NILE Legacy Award – Offered to students that have been very active in various NILE events from the time they were young!
- Hugh F. Miller Memorial Scholarship was created in memory of long time NILE Member Hugh Miller. Two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded in his memory.
- Needle In The Haystack – This scholarship will be randomly drawn for during the NILE Foundation’s Stetson and Stilettos in the Spring 2025. All scholarship applicants will be eligible – must be present to win.
If you’re interested in contributing to the NILE Foundation, send a donation to P.O. Box 1981, Billings, MT 59103
Congratulations to these 2025 NILE Scholarship recipients!
SEVEN one-time scholarships have been awarded to the following seniors in high school in the amount of $1,000:
Johana DeMars
Johanna DeMars is the daughter of Joe & Jodi DeMars of Winifred, MT. She is currently a student at Winifred High School, where she will graduate in May. Johanna plans to attend Montana State University to study Mechanical Engineering with hopes of becoming an Agricultural Equipment Engineer.
Lane Hess
Lane Hess will be attending Montana State University – Northern where he plans to study Diesel Mechanics. In May, Lane will graduate from Park City High School. Lane is the son of John & Nicole Hess of Park City, MT.
Elizabeth Jordan
Elizabeth Jordan is the daughter of Wayne & Nicole Jordan of Alva, WY. After graduating from Hulett High School, she plans to attend Casper College to study Animal Science. Elizabeth plans to pursue a career in Bovine Reproduction, with specific interest in performing research on the effects of pine needles and how they induce abortions on late term calves.
Derek Lachenmeier
Derek Lachenmeier is a soon to be graduate of Huntley Project High School. Derek plans to attend the Western College of Auctioneering after graduation, where he plans to pursue a career as Auctioneer. He is the son of Josh & Lisa Lachenmeier of Huntley, MT.
Blair Sanchez
Blair Sanchez will be attending Fort Scott Community College in Fort Scott, KS where she plans to study Agricultural Business, while being an active member of the Livestock Judging Team. In May, Blair will graduate from Burns High School. Blair is the daughter of Eddie & Dawn Sanchez of Burns, WY.
Cooper Sanchez
Cooper Sanchez is the son of Eddie & Dawn Sanchez of Burns, WY. After graduating from Burns High School, he plans to attend Seward County Community College in Liberal, KS to study Ag Mechanics and be a member of the Livestock Judging Team. Cooper plans to pursue a career in Construction Management.
Alexia Smieja
Alexia Smieja is the daughter of Trevor & Cassie Smieja of Belgrade, MT. She is currently a home school student and will graduate in May. Alexia plans to attend Oklahoma State University to study Agriculture Education with plans of becoming an Agriculture Education Teacher/Extension Agent.
The 2025 Shining Star Award is a scholarship that will be given to an outstanding graduating high school senior for the one-time amount of $2,000:
Casie Flannagan
Casie Flannagan plans to attend college at Montana State University and study Agriculture Business where her future plans are to become a Ranch Manager. Casie is a soon-to-be graduate of Corvallis High School and is the daughter of Stacie Stornett of Florence, MT.
Students selected as rolling scholarship recipients must remain in good standing by maintaining a 3.0 cumulative GPA as a full-time student in college. These recipients must also continue involvement in NILE, while participating in college organizations and activities
Two high school seniors have been awarded rolling scholarships in the amount of $1,000 annually for up to four years – total of $4,000. They are:
Garrett Burkett
Garrett is the son of Jeremy & Karen Burkett of Evansville, WY. In May, Garrett will graduate from Natrona County High School. Garrett plans to study Animal Science at Casper College with plans of pursuing his goal of becoming a Veterinarian.
Claire Murnin
Claire is a soon-to-be-graduate of Shepherd High School. She is the daughter of Jared & Julie Murnin of Pompey’s Pillar, MT. Claire plans to attend Montana State University and study Agricultural Business, and her future plan is to be an Agriculture Lobbyist.
The following students of the class of 2024 have met the rolling scholarship requirements and will be rewarded with their second installment of their scholarship in the amount of $1,000.
Miya Carey
Miya is a current student at Wayne State College in Wayne, NE where she is studying Chemistry/Pre-Pharmacy, with goals of becoming a Pharmacist. She is the daughter of Tyler & Misty Carey of Atkinson, Nebraska.
Jhett West
Jhett West is the son of Justin & Rindy West of Sheridan, WY. Jhett is currently attending Blinn College in Brenham, TX where he is a member of the Livestock Judging Team and is studying Agriculture Business. His future plans include working as an Ag Lawyer once he completes his secondary education.
The following student of the class of 2023 has met the rolling scholarship requirements and will be rewarded with their Third installment of their scholarship in the amount of $1,000.
Leah Beery
Leah is the daughter of Matt & Krista Beery of Circle, MT. Leah is currently attending Northwest College in Powell, WY where she will graduate with her Associate’s Degree in May. This fall, Leah plans to attend South Dakota State University to continue studying Agriculture Education. Leah plans on working as an Agriculture Education in rural Montana or Wyoming after she completes her secondary education.
The following students of the class of 2022 have met these requirements and will be rewarded with their final installment of rolling scholarship in the amount of $1,000.
Brighton Lane
Brighton is a graduate of Huntley Project High School. She is the daughter of Matthew & Jamie Lane of Huntley, MT. Brighton will graduate from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M University in Miami, OK this spring. She plans to continue at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK to study Agriculture Communication and Animal Science with plans of becoming an Agricultural Lawyer or Advocate.
Raegan Nansel
Raegan Nansel is the daughter of Jay & Gayle Nansel of Billings, MT. Raegan graduated from Billings West High School and is currently majoring in Agriculture Business – Agribusiness Management and Economics at Montana State University in Bozeman. Her future plans include attending law school and advocating for folks within the Agriculture industry.
Five current college students pursuing degrees in higher education have been awarded a Secondary Scholarship in the amount of $1,000.
Morgan Friede
Hailing from Chinook, MT, Morgan is the daughter of Scott & Fay Friede. Morgan currently attends North Dakota State University and is majoring in Accounting with hopes of working for an agriculture based CPA firm while continuing to raise her own seedstock herd in the future.
Anna Geddes
Anna Geddes is a current student at the University of Idaho in Moscow, ID. Anna is studying Animal Science Production with hopes of working in Large Animal Nutrition after college. She is the daughter of Ben & Kellie Geddes of Connell, WA.
Samantha Gerlach
Samantha Gerlach is a current student at the University of Montana-Western in Dillon, MT, where she is a member of the UMW Rodeo team and is studying Kinesiology. She hopes to specialize in human and equine chiropractics. She is the daughter of Ryan Gerlach of Columbus, MT.
Lance Rutledge
Lance is the son of Kelly & Kristie Rutledge of Big Sandy, MT. Currently, Lance attends Montana State University and is studying Agricultural Business. His future plans are to work in the area of Ag Sales after college.
Kyona Yeager
Kyona Yeager is the daughter of Calon & Kande Yeager of Fairfield, MT. Kyona is currently attending University of Montana-Western in Dillon, MT where she is studying Early Childhood Education. Her future plans include potentially receiving a second degree in Ag Education and returning to teach.
NILE Legacy Award is a $500 award that is awarded to students, either a high school senior or college student, based on their involvement in NILE and NILE activities.
Quinn Logan
Quinn is the daughter of Justin & Brooke Logan of Huntley, MT. Currently, Quinn is a senior at Huntley Project High School. After graduation, Quinn plans to attend Montana State University in Bozeman to study Agricultural Business. Her future plans are to work as an Ag Investment Banker.
Quinn has been involved in the NILE in a variety of ways as a youth. She has exhibited in the Junior Fed Market Hog Division, competed in Ag Sales and Livestock Judging, sold event programs and 50/50 tickets and has been an integral volunteer by assisting with setting up panels and signage for NILE and MATE for last five years.
Kennedy Lyson
Kennedy is the daughter of Derek Lyson & Britney Follmer of Baker, MT. Currently, Kennedy is a senior at Baker High School. After graduation, Kennedy plans to attend Texas A&M University in College Station, TX to study Animal Science and has plans of returning to the family ranch after college.
Alyssa Williams
Alyssa Williams is a current student at Lind-Ritzville High School in Ritzville, WA. Alyssa plans to study Animal Science At Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX with goals of becoming a Beef Production Research Specialist after college. Alyssa is the daughter of Andy & Lori Williams of Ritzville, WA.