Around 100 WT Ag Students Honored at Year-End Celebration

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, cchandler@wtamu.edu

CANYON, Texas — Nine students in West Texas A&M University’s Department of Agricultural Sciences won major awards and dozens of others were honored at the department’s end-of-year banquet.

Two students—Julia Smith, a junior agricultural media and communication major from Poteet, and Helene Keiser, a junior animal science major from Gothenburg, Nebraska—were presented Smallwood Leader Awards, which comes with a $1,000 scholarship. The award is named for Dr. Charles Smallwood, who was head of the Department of Agriculture from 1958 to 1978.

Selected as outstanding seniors in their respective programs in the Department of Agricultural Sciences in the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences were Lauren Fritzler, an agricultural media and communication major from Merino, Colorado; Anna Wilhelm, an equine industry and business major from Shannon, Illinois; Grady McAlister, a plant, soil and environmental sciences major from Nazareth; Austin Cook, an agribusiness major from Walsh, Colorado; Shannon Anderson, an agriculture education major from Seguin; Leanna Sarman, an agriculture education major from Spring Creek, Nevada; Ryan Heitschmidt, an animal science major from Nazareth; and Jacob McMillan, a pre-vet major from Newcastle.

“Our students in the Department of Agricultural Sciences are simply outstanding.” said Dr. David Lust, department head. “This gathering showcases their many achievements both academically and through our competitive teams and student organizations. WT Ag students’ excellence is regularly recognized not just locally, but at the national level—and this year is no exception. Our students are winners. More than that, they are great people, epitomizing hard work, great character, and WT Ag values. We could not be prouder of our students.”

The students were honored during The Ag Gathering 2024 on May 1. The black-tie event was organized by students in Program and Event Planning, taught by Ellis Vidmar, instructor of agricultural media and communication and events coordinator for the department.

The successful competitive teams throughout the department were recognized, including the national champion meat judging team, the national champion horse judging team, the reserve national champion horse judging team, the national qualifying equestrian team and more.

Kylee Henneberry, a junior agricultural business and economics major from Slinger, Wisconsin, was recognized for being named WT Intern of the Year in November.

Members of the department’s active student organizations also were recognized.

The banquet also recognized other top students in each program:

Agricultural media and communication: Paige Brandon, a senior from Edgewood, New Mexico; Addie Brown, a sophomore from Beeville; Mallory Bunch, a sophomore from Plains; Kooper Cox, a sophomore from Silverton; Macy Downs, a senior from Plains; Delaney Draegert, a freshman from Brush, Colorado; Hanna Gruhlkey, a sophomore from Adrian; Dray Hall, a sophomore from Cheraw, Colorado; Mary Vivian Ivey, a freshman from Fort Smith, Arkansas; Berkley Lukish, a freshman from Cypress; Jacie Pennington, a sophomore from Bryson; Abbigayle Smith, a sophomore from Robert Lee; Sara Salas, a sophomore from Miami, New Mexico; Brooklyn Spencer, a senior from Porter, Oklahoma; Kristina Todd, a senior from Wills Point; and Graham Wristers, a sophomore from Spring.

Equine industry and business: Ashlynn Albaugh, a freshman from Gardendale; Emma Burke, a freshman from Johnson City; Olivia Craft, a sophomore from Selkirk, New York; Jennica Dannehl, a senior from Bertrand, Nebraska; Isabel Fernandez, a sophomore from Austin; Paige Finegan, a senior from Orchard, Colorado; Allisandra Fleming, a sophomore from Lewisville; Saul Flores, a sophomore from Hereford; Elizabeth Harvey, a freshman from Cody, Wyoming; Lainey Konetzki, a sophomore from Sheridan, Wyoming; Myleigh Linsey, a sophomore from Vinita, Oklahoma; Dallie Miller, a sophomore from Amarillo; Ashley Polson, a senior from Rhome; Alaina Scher, a sophomore from Pflugerville; Karlee Vickerman, a sophomore from Lakeview; Diana Webster, a senior from Longmont, Colorado; and Alexandria Woestman, a freshman from Fort Worth.

Plant, soil and environmental sciences: Carter Crabtree, a senior from Kerrick; Ryon Howell, a sophomore from Elida, New Mexico; Alex Kuehler, a senior from Groom; Landon Langenbau, a sophomore from Arp; Lexi Metz, a senior from Monte Vista, Colorado; Paige Richardson, a sophomore from Booker; and Tyler Schneider, a senior from Cope, Colorado.

Agribusiness: Connor Appier, a sophomore from Amarillo; James Dadzie, a freshman from Canyon; Jaden Davenport, a senior from Lubbock; Montana Goodman, a sophomore from Fort Morgan, Colorado; Kenli Johnson, a senior from Happy; Alyssa McAlister, a senior from Portales, New Mexico; Cutter McLaughlin, a sophomore from Amarillo; and Riley Moore, a senior from Roswell, New Mexico.

Agricultural business and economics: Courtney Deason, a sophomore from Texline; Henry Downing, a sophomore from McCamey; Mariah Dyson, a senior from Weatherford; Shaylee Gee, a sophomore from Calhan, Colorado; Trenton Hammerand, a senior from Epsworth, Iowa; Will Hauerland, a sophomore from Columbus; Karleigh Jones, a sophomore from Wolfforth; Mia McCracken, a senior from Canyon; Ava Pluchino, a sophomore from Houston; Cash Reeder, a sophomore from Muleshoe; Lane Remmich, a senior from Yuma, Colorado; Tyson Schneider, a senior from Cope, Colorado; Dustan Sides, a sophomore from Farwell; Annie Valicek, a senior from Houston; and Chase Weaver, a freshman from Hamilton.

Agriculture education: Tessa Barrett, a senior from Plainview; Landon Bogan, a junior from Amarillo; Kassidee Clark, a senior from Tucumcari, New Mexico; Kadence Fangman, a sophomore from Trent; Cody Graham, a senior from Joshua; Jamie Lahey, a senior from Perrysburg, Ohio; Grace Lewallen, a senior from Lipan; Brandon Melnikoff, a senior from Collbran, Colorado; Campbell Offield, a junior from Plainview; Lyndsey Pancost, a freshman from Milliken, Colorado; Zachary Rich, a junior from Capitan, New Mexico; and Steleigh Stegall, a junior from Bridgeport.

Animal science: Brenlea Broyles, a freshman from Spring Branch; Anna Decker, a sophomore from Taft; Mia Encinias, senior from Edgewood, New Mexico; Charles Graybill, a senior from Keenesburg, Colorado; Sabine Harmer, a senior from Washoe Valley, Nevada; Kaslyn Moczygemba, a sophomore from Hobson; John Pennington, a senior from Paradise; Cole Petit, a senior from Seymour; Ridley Strackbein, a freshman from Fredericksburg; Cole Verret, a senior from Grapeland; and Spencer Walahoski, a sophomore from Overton, Nebraska.

Pre-vet: Megan Cordry, a senior from Clyde; Auburn Frost, a sophomore from San Marcos; M’Lehne Linson, a senior from Comfort; Faith Snapp, a senior from Slaton; Ryan Stricker, a sophomore from Magnolia; Maddie Thompson, a senior from Wiley, Colorado; and Rebecca Tracy, a senior from Borger.

Recruiting, retaining and rewarding the best students is a key component of the University’s long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign’s new goal is to reach $175 million by 2025; currently, it has raised nearly $160 million.

About West Texas A&M University

WT is located in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT, a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, boasts an enrollment of about 10,000 and offers 59 undergraduate degree programs and more than 40 graduate degrees, including two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest’s finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 14 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

Photo: Ag Development Association board member Remington Holt presented the Smallwood Award to Julia Smith, one of several recent honorees at The Ag Gathering at West Texas A&M University.

—WT—