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A pair of Austin siblings are among 22 recipients of the Minnesota State Fair Scholarship.

Abigail and Katherine VanPelt, as well as 20 others in the state, each received $1,000.

These scholarships are available to rural youth or those enrolled in an agriculture program in 2023-24. In addition, two $2,000 Trade Scholarships are awarded to a person of any age entering a skilled trade career or furthering their training.

The Minnesota State Fair has long been invested in the educational endeavors of young adults from greater Minnesota and is pleased to announce the 24 total recipients of the Minnesota State Fair Youth Scholarship.

The fair is committed to offering scholarship opportunities to deserving youth based on their leadership and achievement in youth livestock programs, as well as their involvement in the local community.

The 22 recipients of the Minnesota State Fair Scholarship are:

Rachael Dose – Arlington, Minn.

Allison Foss – Cambridge, Minn.

Wyatt Glessing – Waverly, Minn.

Kaleb Heins – Morris, Minn.

Alexis Hoefs – New Prague, Minn.

Kiera Lafferty – Springfield, Minn.

Shelby Lang – Buffalo Lake, Minn.

Mackenzie Moline – Saint Peter, Minn.

Carly Olson – Ortonville, Minn.

Lyndsey Penegor – Watertown, Minn.

Tyler Ratka – Cold Spring, Minn.

Emma Rowen – Rochester, Minn.

Lucas Ruen – Lanesboro, Minn.

Jacy Saemrow – Waterville, Minn.

Ava Schoenfeld – Lake Benton, Minn.

Mikayla Skiba – North Branch, Minn.

Britney Smith – Norwood Young America, Minn.

Sadie Sullivan – West Concord, Minn.

Abigail VanPelt – Austin, Minn.

Katherine VanPelt – Austin, Minn.

Hannah Wetzel – Faribault, Minn.

Katelyn Zeug – Lucan, Minn.

The two Trade Scholarship recipients are:

Jazlyn Geerdes – Fairmont, Minn.

Sidney Leonard – Millville, Minn.

Since its inception in 1994, nearly $600,000 has been awarded. The Minnesota State Fair Scholarships are funded by the Minnesota State Fair Foundation. Information about these scholarships can be found at

mnstatefair.org/about-the-fair/awards-and-recognition/