SPOKANE — Three Washington high school seniors are the first recipients of the new Spokane Ag Show scholarship.

Alyssa Williams, of Lind-Ritzville, and Amelia Ray, of Reardan, both received $4,000 scholarships.

Tucker Walter, of Odessa, received a $2,000 scholarship.

The scholarship is available to active Inland Northwest ag farm youth planning to study agriculture, trade and education.

“We had a ton of applications,” said Kara Rowe, Spokane Ag Show president. “Every one of the applicants was very deserving.”

The application period for the scholarship will open in the end of summer or early fall, Rowe said.

Alyssa Williams

“It’s a really great opportunity for youth agriculturalists in the area,” Williams told the Capital Press, regarding the scholarship.

Williams plans to attend Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, where she received a competitive events offer and plans to compete in meats and livestock judging and other ag-related competitive events.

Williams is the daughter of Lind-Ritzville FFA advisor Andy Williams and Junior Livestock Show of Spokane executive director Lori Williams. She is an ambassador to the livestock show.

She hopes to major in animal sciences, and hopes to get her master’s degree and doctorate in animal science, with a focus in beef production.

“So I can do research in improving growth efficiency, while also addressing the climate issue, reducing carbon and greenhouse gas emissions from cattle,” she said.

What kind of career is she looking for?

“I think I’ll figure that out once I get to college,” she said. “Being a collegiate professor would be cool, so I can coach those teams and continue the research.”

Williams encourages students to apply for scholarships such as the Spokane Ag Show’s.

“There are so many scholarships out there that just want to help kids in ag with their education,” she said. “I hope to take as many educational opportunities as possible, to learn as much as I can about the ag industry and beef industry, so that eventually I can bring that information back to the Pacific Northwest.”

Amelia Ray

“It’s a good way for me to be able to start saving for college and being able to afford the next two years after community college,” Ray told the Capital Press.

She has a full-ride for livestock judging for two years at Casper College in Casper, Wyo. The scholarship will help with housing as well the following two years to get her bachelor’s degree.

Ray plans to double major in agricultural business and accounting. She hopes to become an agricultural accountant.

Ray is also an ambassador for the Junior Livestock Show of Spokane. She helps on her uncle’s farm.

Ray’s grandmother sent her information about the scholarship.

“It was kind of a no-brainer of, ‘Yeah, definitely apply for this one,’” Ray said.

Tucker Walter

“This will help me go to a trade school for welding, help me get all my stuff together and see where it takes me,” Walter told the Capital Press.

Walter helps a cousin raise alfalfa, barley, wheat, corn, sunflowers, peas, lentils and potatoes as a hired hand around Odessa and Wilbur.

“I’ve been working farming as a hired hand since I was probably 8,” he said.

He also works at the Odessa Trading Co. during school.

He plans to get his certificate, and then join a pipefitters union for welding.

Any advice for future applicants?

“Just gotta get it done, apply and make sure you do your essay as well, know what you’re talking about,” he said. “Just apply for it – you won’t get it if you don’t.”