North Dakota Stockmen’s Foundation awards 10 scholarships

Posted 09/27/2025

For immediate release:

Sept. 26, 2025

For more information, contact:

Randy Schmitt, NDSA president: (701) 537-3440 • [email protected]

Julie Schaff Ellingson, NDSA executive vice president: (701) 223-2522 • [email protected]

North Dakota Stockmen's Foundation awards 10 scholarships

The North Dakota Stockmen's Foundation (NDSF) awarded 10 scholarships during the North Dakota Stockmen's Association's (NDSA) 96^th Annual Convention & Trade Show in Minot, N.D., this afternoon.

The NDSF awarded five Legacy Scholarships to Austin Lakefield of Mohall, N.D.; Ty MacDonald of Bismarck, N.D.; Abby Rivinius of Gackle, N.D.; Bethany Small of Moffit, N.D.; Bailey Urlacher of Regent, N.D.; and Sofie Huff of Donnybrook, N.D.

Lakefield is the son of Daniel and Kristi Lakefield. He is studying career and technical education and agribusiness.

MacDonald is the son of Will and Jerilyn MacDonald. He is studying animal science and agricultural communication.

Rivinius is the daughter of Ryan and Becky Rivinius. She is studying nursing.

Small is the daughter of Mike and Becky Small. She is studying nutrition, dietetics and sustainability.

Urlacher is the daughter of Gregg and Mary Urlacher. She is studying agricultural education and animal science.

The NDSF awarded two Myron Wold Memorial Scholarships, which honor the longtime Watford City, N.D., rancher and NDSA member. The winners were Shay Burian of Manning, N.D., and Blake Larson of Hettinger, N.D. Burian is the daughter of Paige and Brenda Burian. She is studying agribusiness management. Larson is the son of Anthony and Jodi Larson. He is studying agribusiness.

The Tokach Angus Ranch Memorial Scholarship, which honors Richard M. "Dick" Tokach, the NDSA president from 1984 to 1986, was awarded to Josie Bryn of Rugby, N.D. Bryn is the daughter of Aaron and Koreen Bryn. She is studying animal science.

Kacee Wasem of Halliday, N.D., was awarded the Jack and Vander Reich Memorial Scholarship. It honors the memory of Jack Reich, who was the NDSA president from 2008 to 2010, and his son, Vander. Wasem is the daughter of Chris and Jolyn Wasem. She is studying animal science.

The NDSF Endowment Scholarship was awarded to Sofie Huff of Donnybrook, N.D. She is the daughter of Blaine and Dorinda Huff. She is studying pre-vet medicine.

The NDSF will be offering scholarships again in 2026. Information and downloadable applications can be found at https://www.ndstockmen.org. The deadline is March 1.

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