Meet the 2025 Scholarship Winners!
We’re proud to celebrate the outstanding recipients of our 2025 scholarship programs! Each winner is an active member of 4-H and/or FFA, demonstrating leadership, dedication, and a true passion for agriculture, community service, and personal growth.
These students embody the values and traditions that 4-H and FFA stand for. Their hard work and achievements have earned them recognition and support as they continue their educational journeys.
Join us in congratulating the 2025 winners and wishing them continued success in all that lies ahead!
NDSF GRADUATING CLASS SCHOLARSHIP
The North Dakota State Fair proudly awards six outstanding students a $1,000 scholarship each in recognition of their achievements and commitment to 4-H and/or FFA.
Our 2025 recipients are:
Alyssa Korgel – Minot
Baily Kunz – New Salem
Karady Evans – New England
Rose Schiele – Balfour
Martin Haberlie – Des Lacs
Zach Volson – Balfour
We applaud their dedication and wish them continued success in their educational journeys!
HESS SCHOLARSHIP
The Minot Area Community Foundation, in partnership with Hess Corporation and the North Dakota State Fair, is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Hess Corporation Scholarships. This annual scholarship program supports North Dakota high school seniors involved in 4-H and FFA, empowering students whose academic and career goals aim to enhance the quality of life in their communities—whether through direct industry involvement or by enriching the social, educational, or environmental fabric of North Dakota.
This year, $40,000 in scholarships have been awarded to eight deserving students across the state.
Three students were selected to receive scholarships of $10,000 each:
Martin Heberlie from Des Lacs will study Engineering at Bismarck State College.
Makayla Kraft from Minot will study Biological Sciences at North Dakota State University.
Kaden Nelsen from Leeds will study Plumbing & HVAC at Northland Career and Technical College.
Five additional students have each been awarded a $2,000 scholarship:
Karady Evans from New England will study Education at Black Hills State University.
Elsa Axtman from Fargo will study Business Management/Studio Art at St Thomas.
Rose Schiele from Balfour will study Elementary Education at Valley City State University.
Andrew Zikmund from Park River will study Economics/Computer Science at North Dakota State University.
Austin Lakefield from Mohall will study Career & Technical Education at Valley City State University.
HESS grant
The NDSF, in conjunction with Hess Corporation and the Minot Area Community Foundation, is pleased to support 4-H clubs and FFA chapters across the state with grant opportunities. Each year, 20 – $500 grants are awarded to empower clubs and chapters to pursue impactful projects within their communities or participate in the North Dakota State Fair.
The 4-H club and FFA chapter grant recipients for 2025 are:
Manley Mixers 4-H Club
Tri County Ag 4-H Club
Jim River Kids 4-H Club
Burleigh County 4-H Council
Mavericks 4-H
Divide County Flickertails
Kidder County Roughriders
Ward County Ambassadors
Mountrail Pioneers 4-H Club
Divide County Roughriders 4H Club
Dickey County 4-H Ambassador
Hankinson FFA
Sunshiners
Mouse River Stars – Renville County
Stanley FFA
Columbus Roughriders Burke County
Pembina County Junior Leaders
Hooves and Hearts
Ragged Butte Roughriders
Wilo Willing Workers
Congratulations to all of the organizations selected and thank you for all of the work you do in your communities and here at your North Dakota State Fair.
Thank you to everyone who applied for our scholarship programs this year! We extend our congratulations to all participants for your hard work, dedication, and achievements.
A heartfelt thank you goes to Hess for their generous contribution to the scholarship program, to the Minot Area Community Foundation for their leadership in managing the scholarship process, and to the family of Dick Jensen for their generous support of the NDSF Scholarship program.
We could not have done this without each of you. Your support helps us continue investing in the future of our youth.
Until next year…
