The Oregon Nurseries Foundation announces its 2022 scholarship recipients

The Oregon Nurseries Foundation (ONF) supports incoming or continuing college students who are preparing for careers in horticulture or related fields. Please join us in congratulating the 2022-2023 Scholarship Award Winners. Students were evaluated based on academic achievement, nursery industry commitment, financial need, and OAN affiliation. Scholarships are applied for during winter term and awarded by the ONF’s committee each spring. The next cycle of applications will open in January. Applications are due by April 1, 2023.

Kiara Benavides has been awarded the Larry Fitzgerald Memorial Scholarship and the Nurseries Foundation Scholarship for her pursuit of a master’s degree from California Polytechnic State University — San Luis Obispo. Kiara has been accepted to the Agriculture Education Program. After graduation, she will pursue her dream of becoming an ag teacher.

Taylor Berreth is a Molalla High School senior and plans to attend Montana State University to study agricultural business and ranching. An employee at OAN-member company, OBC Northwest, Taylor has been awarded the Retail Chapter Award I.

Dawn Cohoe is enrolled in the Landscape Design Program at Portland Community College. She plans to use her education to expand her current business, Maple Twig Medicinals, to include a nursery and landscaping design ideas with edible and native plants. She has been awarded the Arthur Spada Memorial Scholarship.

Makayla Flannagan will be an incoming freshman at Oregon State University, pursuing a degree in horticulture. She has been awarded the Sid and Cindy Miles Nursery Award.

Kylie Holveck is currently a junior at the University of Idaho with a plan to return to Oregon after graduation and become a teacher. She will incorporate horticulture into her curriculum and involve students in greenhouse and SAE plant-related projects. Kylie was awarded Retail Chapter Award III.

Chloe Hupp has been awarded the Willamette Chapter Award to apply towards her prerequisite studies at Chemeketa Community College. Chloe plans to transfer to the University of Idaho to complete an agribusiness degree, where she will then continue the family tradition of owning a nursery. 

Brooke Jerie is the recipient of the Nursery Employee Award. While a full-time horticulturist at Iseli Nursery, Brooke is pursuing a master’s degree in agriculture education through Iowa State University’s online program.

Mike Lynch is returning to the classroom as a former science teacher, this time as a student working towards a horticulture degree at Clackamas Community College. Mike hopes to own/operate a native plant nursery that will provide plants for local organizations doing restorative work in the Pacific Northwest. He has been awarded the Clackamas Chapter Ed Wood Memorial Award.

Julie Miller is pursuing an online degree in botany from Oregon State University. She is a full-time grower for Cantigny Park outside of Chicago, Illinois, and hopes to continue her career in research, plant breeding, or greenhouse management. Julie has been awarded the Royal Boltman Memorial Award.

Grace Pelton is currently a junior at the Brigham Young University — Idaho campus and is pursuing a degree in horticulture. Grace is from Estacada, Oregon, and has been awarded the Mt. Hood Chapter Award I.  

Ellie Perkins has been awarded the Clackamas Chapter Award. She will be an incoming freshman at Oregon State University pursuing a degree in horticulture. Ellie is interested in greenhouse growing, urban horticulture, and plant breeding and hopes to work her way to managing/owning a nursery.

Liz Roberton is entering Portland Community College’s environmental landscape management technology track. Liz has been awarded the Emerald Empire Chapter Award and hopes to put her education and experience to work in environmental restoration.

Madison Sheets has been awarded the Mt Hood Chapter Award II. She is currently a sophomore at Clackamas Community College pursuing a degree in horticulture. She is very interested in greenhouse technology developments and wants to be part of this ever-advancing greener future. 

Cydney Stables is a sophomore at Graceland University pursuing a degree in agribusiness. Her future plans include being an advocate for the agriculture industry, which is the most essential industry. Cydney has been awarded the Bill Egan Memorial Award.

William Stencel has been awarded the Retail Chapter Award II for a second year. He will be a senior at the University of Wisconsin — Superior, where he is working towards a degree in horticulture and business management. 

Stephen Stresow will start the Master of Professional Studies Program in horticulture at Cornell University. He has been awarded the Nurseries Memorial Award. Stephen has many accolades, including being a Master Gardener, a researcher with Texas A&M, and a grower apprentice with hydroponic greenhouse operation. He’s also working towards American Society for Horticultural Science Associate Professional Horticulturist and Certified Crop Advisor credentials.

Xavier Tacker is a junior at Oregon State University with a dual major in forest management and bioresource research, as well as a minor in chemistry. Xavier was named a Barry Goldwater Scholar as a sophomore. He plans to continue his studies toward a Ph.D., and is fully immersed in all research opportunities that come his way. Xavier was awarded the Bob Fessler Family Foundation/Woodburn Nursery Award II.

Abigail van Klaveren has been awarded the Joseph H. Klupenger Award. She is currently a junior at Oregon State University pursuing a degree in horticulture. She plans to return to the family nursery in Califorina, Generation Growers, after graduation and continue the legacy of growing quality plant material while incorporating new ideas and leadership skills.

Isaac Watcherson is a sophomore at Clackamas Community College pursuing an associate degree in arboriculture. Isaac plans to become a certified arborist and start his own business, providing high-quality tree care to homeowners and businesses. He has been awarded the Bob Fessler Family Foundation/Woodburn Nursery Award I.

The ONF committee is comprised of OAN members that serve a five-year term, with their fifth year as chair.  Each year, we look to add a new OAN member to the committee.  If you are interested in being on this committee, please contact Stephanie Weihrauch at the OAN office, 503-582-2001 or [email protected].