10-25-2024 4:03am

$20K AWARDED IN

Join us in congratulating nine 2024 F. Grove Miller Memorial Scholarship Winners and the Maryland State Fair Marlin K. Hoff Scholarship Winner. The Scholarship Winners were honored during a special presentation at the 2024 Maryland State Fair by the late Chairman Emeritus F. Grove Miller's Grandson and MD State Fair Board Member Robbie Miller (at the podium) and Maryland State Fair Board President Fran Burns (right). Scholarship Winners (left to right): Bryce Zepp, Laura Jean Maher, Ashlynn Kidwell, representative for Elisabeth Holmes, Austin Doppel, Caroline Clark, and Marissa Bookoff.Not Pictured: MD State Fair F. Grove Miller Scholarship Winners Andrew Heffner, Elisabeth Holmes and Sierra Wean and Marlin K. Hoff Scholarship Winner Kelsey Zepp.

Md. State Fair Awards $20,000 in College Scholarships

Through F. Grove Miller Maryland State Fair Scholarship Program

The Maryland State Fair & Agricultural Society, Inc. has awarded a combined $20,000 in college scholarships through its F. Grove Miller Maryland State Fair Scholarship Program named in memory of Chairman Emeritus and Honorary Board Member Miller, and the Marlin K. Hoff Scholarship Program named in memory of former Board Member Hoff. (Photo by Charles DeLoye on Unsplash)

TIMONIUM, Md. — The Maryland State Fair & Agricultural Society, Inc. has awarded a combined $20,000 in college scholarships through its F. Grove Miller Maryland State Fair Scholarship Program named in memory of Chairman Emeritus and Honorary Board Member Miller, and the Marlin K. Hoff Scholarship Program named in memory of former Board Member Hoff.

An additional $20,000 in other college scholarships and educational awards were presented by The Maryland State Fair & Agricultural Society, Inc. during the 2024 Maryland State Fair season.

“Since its inception in 1879, agriculture education has been one of the Maryland State Fair’s top priorities,” said Maryland State Fair General Manager Andy Cashman. “Our competitive scholarships highlight and reward the accomplishments of youth, help them with their educational pursuits, and promote the importance of agriculture to our state, country and world.”

The F. Grove Miller Maryland State Fair Scholarship Program annually recognizes the importance of education and youth participation in the Maryland State Fair. This year, the Maryland State Fair & Agricultural Society, Inc. awarded nine $2,000 Scholarships to Maryland youth who have participated as exhibitors at the Maryland State Fair and who are enrolled in a four-year college, post-secondary college or trade school. Applicants completed an application and essay on the impact of their experience participating in the Maryland State Fair and how the scholarship will benefit them with their career goals.

2024 F. Grove Miller Maryland State Fair Scholarship Winners:

Marissa Bookoff, of Phoenix in Baltimore County, attends Virginia Commonwealth University majoring in Fine Arts with a focus on sculpture. Marissa has participated in the Maryland State Fair as a 4-H and Open Class Exhibitor for the last 14 years.

Caroline Clark, of Thurmont in Frederick County, attends University of Maryland College Park majoring in Animal Science. Caroline has been a 4-H Livestock Exhibitor since she was young and still exhibits at the Maryland State Fair. The Maryland State Fair & Agricultural Society Inc. a private non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, supports agriculture, education. preserves and promotes Maryland’s agricultural roots, and provides competitions and events showcasing Maryland’s premier industry.

Austin Doppel, of Hagerstown in Washington County, attends Hagerstown Community College majoring in Exercise Science. Austin participated in the Maryland

State Fair Market Goat, Dairy Goat, Swine, and Sheep divisions.

Andrew Heffner, of Columbia in Howard County, attends Howard Community College majoring in Plant Science. Andrew participated in the Maryland State Fair in a variety of Home Arts divisions.

Elisabeth Holmes, of Fallston in Harford County, attends Elon University majoring in Computer Science and Data Analytics. Elisabeth participated in the Maryland State

Fair Farm & Garden division.

Ashlynn Kidwell, of Sykesville in Carroll County, attends University of Maryland College Park majoring in Animal Science with a minor in Sustainability. Ashlynn participated in the Maryland State Fair Poultry division, is a member of the Maryland State Fair Junior Fair Board and is president of the MD 4-H State Council. Ashlynn assists with many events during the state fair including U-Learn Barn, Barnyard Bedtime Tales, and other agriculture education programs.

Laura Jean Maher, of Essex in Baltimore County, attends University of Maryland College Park majoring in Agricultural Science and Technology. Laura Jean has participated in the Maryland State Fair in the Holstein Cattle division.

Sierra Wean, of New Windsor in Carroll County, attends West Virginia University studying Agricultural and Extension Education and plans to become an agricultural teacher. She is the Co-Captain of the Western Equestrian team. Sierra participated in the Maryland State Fair as a member of the Maryland State Fair Junior Fair Board and as a State FFA Officer in U-Learn Farm.

Bryce Zepp, of New Windsor in Carroll County, attends Stevenson University majoring in Business. Bryce participated in the Maryland State Fair Dairy and Beef divisions and the Maryland State Dairy Judging Contest.

The 2024 Marlin K. Hoff $2,000 Scholarship is awarded to a Maryland youth who exhibited at the Maryland State Fair, has carried a dairy project, and is enrolled in a four-year college, post-secondary college or trade school.

2024 Marlin K. Hoff Scholarship Winner:

Kelsey Zepp, of New Windsor in Carroll County, attends Black Hawk Community College – East Campus in Galva, Illinois. Kelsey participated in the Maryland State Fair Dairy, Beef, Goat, and Sheep divisions and in the Maryland State Dairy and Livestock Judging Contests. Most recently, she was a MD State Fair Administrative Intern.

For additional information contact Ms. Edie Bernier at 410-252-0200, x225 or ebernier@marylandstatefair.com. Coming soon, 2025 scholarship information at

www.marylandstatefair.com/general-info/scholarships