Syngenta celebrates the power of the written word as they announce the national winners of the third annual Syngenta Agricultural Scholarship essay contest: master’s winner Sharon Perrone of the University of Minnesota and bachelor’s winner Abigail Arthaud of Oklahoma State University.
Perrone and Arthaud were selected from approximately 200 eligible applicants who crafted essays about someone in their lives who inspired them to be rooted in agriculture and how this person’s influence motivated them to pursue a degree in the industry. Each applicant discussed how they will pay it forward and encourage others to be rooted in agriculture as well.
“The advancement of agriculture is contingent on its future leaders,” said Mary Streett DeMers, senior communications lead, Syngenta, in a recent release. “We are happy to have found two students who have been inspired to pursue careers in the industry, and to honor them and those who sparked their passion.”
Perrone and Arthaud received $1,000 in regional awards and $6,000 in national awards to assist them in meeting financial obligations and ultimately realizing their educational and career goals.
In her essay, Perrone describes her first time working on a farm, the development of her relationship with her teacher, who also served as a mentor, and how it inspired her to pay it forward.
Raised on a farm, Arthaud said she is continually amazed by the level of patience that her father possesses. Her essay focused on how his character shaped her perspective of agriculture and influenced her desire to tell the stories of farmers around the world.
Six additional students were each awarded a $1,000 regional scholarship prize. Recipients included Gilma Castillo (University of Florida), Leah Schwinn (The Ohio State University), Clara Ervin (Virginia Polytechnical Institute and State University), Jonathan Stephens (Pennsylvania State University), Eduardo Garcia (California Polytechnic State University), and Elizabeth Warren (Washington State University).
