eight students awarded $7,500 in walworth county fair partnership
UNION GROVE – A talented group of young, future leaders were recognized for their excellence in agriculture, engineering, fashion and art in being named this year’s recipients of Community State Bank’s LEAD Scholarship.
Eight area students were awarded scholarships totaling $7,500. Those students are Amanda Bender, Kathryn Domino, Kyle Ellsworth, Grace Giovingo, Nathan Huff, Ben Reed, Landon Rehberg and Lucy Stinebrink.
The LEAD (Leadership, Expectation, Achievement, Dedication) Scholarship was developed by Community State Bank in partnership with the Walworth County Fair Meat Animal Sale Committee.
It recognizes exhibitors that are committed to serving their community.
“We had another year of exceptional applicants,” said Molly Krause, Community State Bank Vice President – Cash Management.
“It was inspiring to read all about the applicants and see how these young exhibitors are giving back to the community with both their time and talent. Walworth County is fortunate to have such an amazing group of future leaders.”
The LEAD Scholarship is for Walworth County Fair exhibitors. Applicants must be a graduating high school senior or a post-secondary education student enrolled in the 2024-25 school year.
A selection committee chose recipients based on an essay or video describing how they meet the LEAD criteria.
Here is a closer look at this year’s recipients:
Amanda Bender
Hometown: Walworth
High School: Big Foot
College: University of Wisconsin
Major: Plant Pathology
Exhibit: Swine, goats
Did you know?: Bender began showing pigs at the Fair when she was eight years old.
Quotable: “I can’t imagine a future shaped the way I want it to be without the Walworth County Fair instilling a passion for agriculture within me.”
Kamryn Domino
High School: Lake Geneva Badger
College: TBA
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Exhibits: Arts, crafts, natural science, shooting sports, LEGO non-mechanical
Did you know?: In the past three years, Domino’s artwork won five Grand Champion ribbons and multiple Judge’s Favorite honors at the Fair.
Quotable: “The Fair has taught me how to be patient and how to work hard. The Fair has taught me how to be dedicated and how to show up not only for myself, but for others.”
Kyle Ellsworth
Hometown: Elkhorn
High School: Elkhorn Area High School
College: University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Major: Animal Sciences
Exhibit: Beef cattle
Did you know?: Ellsworth spent the majority of his childhood working on his family’s beef and crop farm.
Quotable: “I want to instill in the youth the value of hard work and the love of seeing a project through until the end. My goal is to make an impact on the future generations to come.”
Grace Giovingo
Hometown: Genoa City
High School: Lake Geneva Badger
College: TBA
Exhibit: Home Environment, Clothing, Child Development
Did you know?: Giovingo finished second in Fashion Construction at the 2024 Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Nationals this summer in Seattle, Wash.
Quotable: “Leadership is more than just a position or title. It is a series of actions, experiences and important opportunities that shape an individual’s ability to guide and inspire.”
Nathan Huff
Hometown: Delavan
High School: Delavan-Darien
School: UW-Stevens Point
Major: Physical Education
Exhibit: Beef
Did you know?: The three-sport varsity athlete spent 14 years showing animals at the Fair. Huff was seven years old when he showed his first Hereford heifer in the open barn with his dad and grandparents.
Quotable: “I wouldn’t trade those years for anything. I will still enjoy coming and visiting the Walworth County Fair.”
Ben Reed
Hometown: Delavan
High School: Elkhorn Area
College: Gateway Technical College
Exhibit: Steer, restored tractor, vegetables, crops
Did you know?: Reed co-chaired the restoration of a 1962 Oliver 770 tractor. The project is a finalist at the National FFA Convention & Expo on Oct. 23-26 in Indianapolis.
Quotable: “I am dedicated to lifelong learning because I’m terrible at sitting down and doing nothing. I like to challenge myself.”
Landon Rehberg
Hometown: Elkhorn
High School: Elkhorn Area
School: Iowa State University
Major: Agricultural Engineering
Exhibit: Beef, swine
Did you know?: Rehberg began showing livestock when he was 8 years old. He hopes to work at John Deere as an engineer.
Quotable: “I believe agricultural engineers play a crucial role in impacting agriculture and rural America. One day, I hope to take part in making improvements to the agricultural industry as an engineer and hopefully give my children the opportunity to show livestock.”
Lucy Stinebrink
Hometown: Lake Geneva
High School: Lake Geneva Badger
College: University of Kentucky
Major: Animal Sciences
Exhibit: Sheep
Did you know?: Stinebrink is combining her love for animals and community into a future career as a veterinarian.
Quotable: “My expectation for my future is to be able to spread as much good in my community through charity, volunteering and community organizations as my family before me did.”