UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Five Penn State Recipients Of 2005 Farm Show Scholarship Foundation Scholarships Were Pleasantly Surprised Last Month At The Foundation's Awards Ceremony Breakfast.

After receiving $3,000 scholarships from the foundation, the students listened as Robert Steele, dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences, made a surprise announcement that the college would match their scholarships. 2005 marks the first year that the college has matched the Farm Show scholarships for students enrolled in the college.

The Farm Show Scholarship Foundation was formed in 1993 by several Pennsylvania agricultural leaders and companies to help prepare Pennsylvania's youth for careers in agriculture. Funding for the scholarships comes from Farm Show livestock champion sales, corporate membership dues, individual contributions, proceeds from hotel and restaurant listings in the annual "Farm Show Accommodations" brochure, buyer contributions from the Farm Show's Junior Livestock Sale and the foundation's annual benefit dinner and auction.

Each year, the foundation awards scholarships to a select group of 4-H and FFA members who have exhibited junior market animals at the Farm Show, are enrolled in a post-secondary educational institution, and display exemplary academic and leadership qualities. This year, 24 students from across Pennsylvania were recipients.

The scholarship recipients were recognized at the Farm Show Scholarship Foundation breakfast, as well as before the Sale of Champions at the 2005 Farm Show. Since its formation, the foundation has provided nearly $300,000 to 174 4-H and FFA youth across Pennsylvania.

This year's Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences recipients include:

--Kristy Dietrich of Hamburg, Pa., a sophomore majoring in animal sciences.

--Morgan Firestine of Womelsdorf, Pa., a freshman pursuing a degree in animal sciences and agribusiness management.

--Randy Koontz of Everett, Pa., a senior majoring in agricultural and extension education with an emphasis in leadership development and communications.

--Kevin Stahl of Mercersburg, Pa., a sophomore animal sciences major.

--Amanda Stoltzfus of Geigertown, Pa., a freshman majoring in animal sciences.

###

EDITORS: For more information, contact Denise Connelly at 814-865-0113.

Jill Hoover Office 814-865-3636

Chuck Gill Office 814-863-2713 FAX 814-863-9877