Thomas H. Lutsey

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Five 2021 Graduates Honored With The Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship

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Waseda Farms’ Sharon Lutsey, left, presents a 2021 Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship to Luxemburg-Casco High School graduate Aliza Jacobs.

 

More than $820,000 in college scholarships has been awarded to 124 graduating high school seniors from Wisconsin who have pursued a career in agriculture in the 36-year history of the program.

 

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Before the late Thomas H. Lutsey made a name for himself as an inventor in the mid-20th century of still-popular ice-cream snacks, his life’s work as an innovator started as a child working on his family’s farm in Pulaski, Wisconsin. Life skills of hard work, diligence and perseverance were acquired at a young age and served Lutsey well as a dairy farmer and with his groundbreaking concoctions in the dairy industry with automated machinery and sweet treats.

 

The agricultural and innovative legacy of Lutsey has carried on the last 36 years with the Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship. Lutsey started the scholarship as a way to help students in rural Wisconsin communities who have a passion for agriculture to work hard, advance their education and enhance their local community.

 

Matt Lutsey, president of Waseda Farms and grandson of Thomas H. Lutsey, is proud to announce the selection of five graduating Wisconsin high school students for the 2021 Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship. Each scholar receives a four-year, $10,000 college scholarship.

 

Since its inception in 1986, the Lutsey-Waseda Farms program, which is supported by Waseda Farms, has awarded more than $820,000 in scholarship money to 124 scholars.

 

“My grandfather would be very proud of the impact the scholarship program is having on dozens of communities in various regions of Wisconsin with the support of the future of agriculture through education,” Matt Lutsey said. “This new generation of agricultural enthusiasts has been tested in unimaginable ways as we have all grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic the last year and a half. Their resiliency to overcome so much will serve them well as they pursue their interests in agriculture and help advance their community.”

 

To be considered for the Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship, students must be in their final year of high school, graduating from a high school that is within 150 miles of Green Bay, in good academic standing, planning to attend an accredited four-year college or university, and committed to pursue a career in agriculture that will enhance Wisconsin’s rural communities.

 

2021 Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship Recipients

This year’s scholars include an impressive mix of high-achieving standouts in the classroom, FFA leaders and young entrepreneurs.

 

“Each spring, the Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship Committee has the enriching task of assessing and judging the scholar applications and then deciding as a group who, among all impressive applicants, stands out as most deserving to receive a Lutsey-Waseda Farms scholarship,” Matt Lutsey said. “The 2021 scholars are an outstanding group for all they have accomplished inside and outside of school, their proactive leadership qualities and service to community, their industrious spirit, and their shared passion to enhance agriculture in their local communities. We congratulate them and thank all those who applied for the Lutsey-Waseda Farms scholarship this year, and we wish everyone continued success as they move on to college.”

 

The 2021 Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship recipients are:

 

Abigail Helbach, Amherst, Wis. Introduced to agriculture as a young child when she would ride the tractor with her father on the family’s cash crop farm, Helbach’s fond childhood experiences out in the fields included checking the farm’s irrigation systems. Those invaluable experiences, including the last six years of working as a farmhand at Helbach Farms, have her aspiring to become a manager with a livestock company. She also would like to start an e-commerce boutique specializing in western fashion. To get started, Helbach will enroll at Oklahoma State University, planning to double major in animal science and agricultural communications. She is the first Amherst High School graduate to receive a Lutsey-Waseda Farms scholarship after ranking in the top 10 of her class academically and serving as the school’s FFA president, along with being a longtime 4-H youth leader in Portage County.

 

Aliza Jacobs, Luxemburg, Wis. Praised as “a fantastic role model” in Kewaunee County for youth agriculture, Jacobs has a strong passion for promoting and educating her community about all aspects of agriculture. The avid volunteer has a mantra of “Ag-vocating,” which she carried over to working multiple jobs caring for calves on local farms as well as breeding prize-winning Boer goats. She will attend the University of Wisconsin-Platteville with a goal of becoming an agriculture educator. Jacobs is the first Lutsey-Waseda Farms scholar from Luxemburg-Casco High School since 1992 and the fourth overall. She ranked in the top 25 of her graduating class and was the school’s FFA vice president of community development. She also was longtime president of her 4-H chapter.

 

Cora Kleist, Richland Center, Wis. The resourceful Kleist has a career goal of bettering the lives of farmers and their families by caring for the health of their herds as a large-animal veterinarian. As just the second Lutsey-Waseda Farms scholar from Richland Center High School, Kleist plans to major in animal science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She’s acquired plenty of relevant experience with animals, working as a farmhand and administering vaccines to the cattle on the farm. Regarded for having a strong work ethic, Kleist flourished academically with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average to rank in the top 10 of her high school graduating class. She also held multiple leadership roles. Kleist was president of the school’s FFA and Science Club and a captain for Richland Center’s track and field team, and she was president of her 4-H chapter.

 

Maleah Redmann, Athens, Wis. Having attained a near-perfect grade-point average, Redmann was the salutatorian of her graduating class at Athens High School. She is only the second Lutsey-Waseda Farms scholar from her school, where her long list of achievements also included serving as state president and vice president of SkillsUSA, vice president of FFA and captain of the academic decathlon team, playing in the school band, and competing in three sports. Redmann has her sights on becoming a large-animal veterinarian and plans to double major in equine science and pre-veterinary medicine at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Working with animals comes second nature to Redmann. She’s cared for calves as a farmhand on a dairy farm and has been a veterinary assistant at Athens Veterinary Service and been on farm calls for treating large-animal patients. What’s more, Redmann trains mustangs after she started the Triple R Equines service for wild horses as a 17-year-old.

 

Adam Zee, Pittsville, Wis. Zee will step onto the Iowa State University campus to begin his college studies with the rare double distinction of being a Grand Champion and a business owner. He’s been crowned a Grand Champion three times for steers he’s shown at local county fairs. And he’s been a beef entrepreneur since starting his company June Acres Cattle in 2016, where he’s managed a few dozen cows. Zee plans to continue to raise angus cattle as he pursues a career as an agricultural engineer with a focus on biological systems. He hopes to work for a firm that designs structures for agricultural purposes. Zee is the first Marshfield High School graduate to earn a Lutsey-Waseda Farms scholarship. He ranked in the top 15 of a graduating class of more than 300 students, played hockey and baseball, and was extensively involved with FFA in leadership roles.

 

A Commitment to Sustainable Farming and Education

The Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship bears the name of the late creator of the scholarship program 35 years ago. Thomas H. Lutsey was a dairy farmer in Pulaski, Wisconsin, who developed Gold Bond Ice Cream (later known as Good Humor-Breyers) and ice-cream novelties such as the Eskimo Pie. His son, Tom Lutsey, founded Waseda Farms in 2008.

 

Waseda Farms is a certified organic, sustainable farm in Door County, Wisconsin, that encourages the best environmental practices and humane animal treatment and provides agricultural jobs to the community. Waseda Farms also operates Waseda Farms Market on the farm in Door County, provides walk-in and curbside pickup orders at its butcher shop in De Pere, Wisconsin, and ships nationwide through its online marketplace. More information on Waseda Farms can be found at WasedaFarms.com.

 

The Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship underscores Waseda Farms’ commitment to organic, sustainable and responsible farming and its commitment to education. Thomas Lutsey was a strong believer in hard work and diligence being essential to success. He wanted to help students who had a passion for agriculture and a dedication to furthering their education to better their local communities. The annual goal is to support students in rural communities who go to college and plan to commit themselves to living and working in those communities to advance Wisconsin’s agricultural future.

 

More information on the Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship can be found at lutsey.org.

Five 2020 Graduates Selected for the Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship

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In the 35-year history of the program, almost $800,000 in college scholarships has been awarded to 118 graduating high school seniors from Wisconsin who have pursued a career in agriculture.

Hard work, tenacity, adaptability, resilience are among the traits that define those working in agriculture. The same can be said for the high school graduates who comprise the Class of 2020.

Despite having their in-school classes, extracurricular activities, proms, senior trips and graduation ceremonies abruptly shifted to virtual attendance or altogether canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, not all was lost. The springtime tradition of supporting young people in Wisconsin who aspire to advance their education and a career in agriculture through the Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship program continued for the 35th consecutive year.

Matt Lutsey, president of Waseda Farms and grandson of program founder Thomas H. Lutsey, is proud to announce the selection of five graduating high school students for the 2020 Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship. Each scholar receives a four-year, $10,000 college scholarship.

Since its inception in 1986, the Lutsey-Waseda Farms program, which is supported by Waseda Farms, has awarded almost $800,000 in scholarship money to 118 scholars.

“To say the least, this year has been uniquely challenging, disruptive, worrisome and painful for so many because of the unexpected and unfortunate spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19),” Matt Lutsey said. “As our hearts go out to those in our communities who have lost resources, jobs, businesses, and, tragically, loved ones, our team at Waseda Farms has remained committed to the mission of the Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship program: ‘Supporting the future of agriculture through education.’ We tip are hats to the Class of 2020 for their grit and resolve as they completed the school year under trying circumstances. And we thank the over 150 graduates who applied for the Lutsey-Waseda Farms scholarship this year; the response and pool of applicants was impressive!”

To be considered for the Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship, students must be in their final year of high school, graduating from a high school that is within 150 miles of Green Bay, in good academic standing, planning to attend an accredited four-year college or university, and committed to pursue a career in agriculture that will enhance Wisconsin’s rural communities.

The late Thomas H. Lutsey started the scholarship. He was a dairy farmer in Pulaski, Wisconsin, who created Gold Bond Ice Cream (later rebranded as Good Humor-Breyers) and ice-cream novelties such as the Eskimo Pie. Thomas H. Lutsey’s son, Tom Lutsey, founded Waseda Farms in 2008. Waseda Farms is an organic farm in Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin, with two retail locations that also distribute certified organic food to restaurants, grocery stores, other retailers and schools throughout Wisconsin and other locations in the Midwest.

2020 Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship Recipients

This year’s scholars include three FFA presidents, a cattle owner and an affectionately nicknamed “cow whisperer.”

“As in previous years, the Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship Committee had no easy task in reading, reviewing and judging the applications for this year’s scholarships,” Matt Lutsey said. “We commend everyone who applied and congratulate those selected as the 2020 scholars. They have distinguished themselves already in their young lives with a diligent work ethic, versatile skillsets and achievements inside and outside of school, selfless service to community, exemplary leadership, and a strong passion for agriculture and bettering their local communities.”

The 2020 Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship recipients are:

Hailey Gaedtke, Luxemburg, Wis. As a sixth-generation farmer on her family’s dairy farm that started in 1885, Gaedtke says she has “busy feet.” The go-getter’s commitment to hard work has served her well away from the farm, too. She’s been a longtime participant in 4-H and served as president of her local club as well as FFA. She was a three-sport athlete at Kewaunee High School. She also excelled academically with a 3.9 grade-point average. As a big advocate of agriculture among the youth in her community, Gaedtke plans to study agricultural business at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls with an interest in educating consumers on food production. She is the first Kewaunee graduate to receive a Lutsey-Waseda Farms scholarship.

Katrina Hoesly, Denmark, Wis. Having been referred to as a “cow whisperer,” Hoesly has developed a close rapport with the cattle in her care. She’s juggled jobs as a herd manager and a farmhand at two livestock operations in her community. Hands-on experience she gained in the treatment of animals has Hoesly interested in pursuing a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and a career as a bovine reproductive specialist, after she completes her undergraduate studies at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville with an emphasis on dairy science and agribusiness. Hoesly is the record-setting ninth Lutsey-Waseda Farms scholar — and the first since 1999 – from Denmark High School. She compiled a 3.7 grade-point average and was president of the school’s robust FFA as well as her local 4-H club.

Morgan Jones, Cambria, Wis. A self-described “passion for agriculture” has been cultivated since she was a young girl. Jones’ extensive work on her family’s dairy farm has included owning a herd of 16 cattle as well as assisting with the cash crop operations. She plans to earn a degree in agribusiness at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville after starting her studies at Western Technical College. The Cambria-Friesland High School graduate ranked near the top in her class with a 4.0 grade-point average. She also was a three-sport athlete and served as a team captain in basketball and volleyball. Her long list of leadership and success extended to FFA and 4-H. Jones is the first Lutsey-Waseda Farms scholar from Cambria-Friesland.

Kaylee Mess, Rosendale, Wis. Advocating for agriculture comes naturally for the Laconia High School alumna. The “farm kid” has spent countless hours away from her studies and work on her family’s dairy farm by making the rounds at fairs and other community events to educate the public about the agricultural world. With a particular interest in introducing kids to the dairy industry, Mess wants to be a high school agriculture teacher and FFA adviser. She was her school’s FFA president, involved in other activities, and strong academically with a 3.8 grade-point average. Mess, who is the third Laconia graduate to be named a Lutsey-Waseda Farms scholar (first since 2010), plans to study agriculture education at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

Ben Stone, Ripon, Wis. Inspired by his mother, a veterinarian who died of cancer when he was just 7 years old, Stone is determined to forge a career as a vet specializing in large animals. He plans to study pre-veterinary medicine at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Stone has logged plenty of hands-on experience working on and managing his family’s dairy farm, which features Guernsey cattle. As the first graduate of Omro High School to earn a Lutsey-Waseda Farms scholarship, Stone followed in the footsteps of his father and an uncle by serving as the school’s FFA president. Stone also was president of the school band, in which he played drums, was a team captain in wrestling and cross-country, and was president of his local 4-H club. He graduated with a stellar grade-point average of 3.9.

A Commitment to Sustainable Farming and Education

Waseda Farms is a certified organic, sustainable farm in Door County that encourages the best environmental practices and humane animal treatment and provides agricultural jobs to the community. Waseda Farms also operates Waseda Farms Market on the farm in Door County, provides curbside pickup orders at its butcher shop in De Pere, Wisconsin, and ships nationwide through its online marketplace. More information on Waseda Farms can be found at WasedaFarms.com.

The Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship underscores Waseda Farms’ commitment to organic, sustainable and responsible farming and its commitment to education. Thomas Lutsey was a strong believer in hard work and diligence being essential to success. He wanted to help students who had a passion for agriculture and a dedication to furthering their education to better their local communities. The annual goal is to support students in rural communities who go to college and plan to commit themselves to living and working in those communities to advance Wisconsin’s agricultural future.

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