Jefferson County Cattlemen award scholarships to Briana Steele, Lilian Buie

The Jefferson County Cattlemen have announced that the recipients of their college scholarships are Briana Steele of Fairfield High School and Lilian Buie of Pekin High School.

Steele and Buie each received a $2,500 scholarship, which the Jefferson County Cattlemen present every year to local high school seniors with a passion and dedication to the agricultural industry. Both scholarship recipients are active 4-H and FFA members in Jefferson County, with their high schools, and other community groups.

Briana Steele is the daughter of Jason and Carrie Steele (Lockridge) and lends a hand on their family’s multi-generational Simmental operation. She plans to attend Iowa State University to major in Elementary Education with a minor in Agronomy. Briana also plans to join the collegiate Soils Evaluation team, an activity she has been very successful in as a high school student - bringing home multiple banners and plaques this year with her latest success taking her team to Oklahoma to participate in the National Soils Evaluation Contest.

Lilian Buie is the daughter of Rebecca Clemons (Fairfield) and the late James Daniel Buie (Batavia). She is the youngest of her family but has carried on the family legacy of producing high-quality livestock. Her success earned her multiple buckles, banners, and accolades across the country during her junior years. Lilian plans to attend Northern Oklahoma Community College to major in Animal Science and compete on the collegiate livestock judging team. After finishing her two-year degree, she will continue to a four-year university to earn a bachelor’s degree and eventually her doctorate in veterinary medicine.

The Jefferson County Cattlemen’s Association opened the scholarship to all high school seniors and students in an undergraduate program who attended a school or 4-H/FFA group in Jefferson County. The applicants did not need to be enrolled in an agricultural program but did need to have experience advocating for the beef and agriculture industry.

JCCA recognized a majority of today's students do not live on a farm but choose to be a part of the agriculture industry due to family ties or involvement in agricultural organizations for youth. These students are the future of the beef industry; the Jefferson County Cattlemen’s Association takes pride in being able to support the industry leaders of tomorrow. This scholarship will be offered again next year - upcoming seniors and college students be on the lookout for the application next spring!

  Buy Photo