2016 NCACAA Youth Scholarship Winners

2016 North Carolina Association of County Agricultural

Agents Association (NCACAA) Youth Scholarship Award Winners

Submitted By: Tiffanee Conrad, NCACAA Youth Scholarship Committee Chair

The North Carolina Association of County Agricultural Agents Association proudly announces Justin Scott-Banks, Abigayle Fogarty, Lawson Pollard, and Elizabeth Thornton as the 2016 youth scholarship award winners. The scholarship award is being presented to 4 most deserving students who have exhibited excellence in leadership and community service. North Carolina Association of County Agricultural Agents established this $1000 scholarship to four member or life members’ children or grandchildren to aid them with tuition at any University of their choice.

Justin Scott-Banks is the son of Dean Scott and Shawn Banks from Wilson County. Justin is studying Chemical Engineering at North Carolina State University. Justin said that ever since he can remember, he has always been fascinated with understanding how things work and lately how can a concept be used in a different way. He enjoys helping others and the feeling of being productive and beneficial to those around him. For his career, he wants to do different things every day with a high involvement of chemical reactions and the math that is involved. When asked how his Extension Agent father, Shawn Banks has impacted his life, he says, “My dad has always been an important role model in my life. He has taught me the value of getting higher education. He has taught me that hard work pays off and to never give up. Because of his influence on my life, I strive to understand the material in my classes and not just memorize it for a test. Because of his example, I have learned perseverance, dedication, integrity, and to always give everything my best effort.”

Abigayle Fogarty is the daughter of Christine and David Fogarty from Gaston County. Abigayle will be studying Psychology and Biology at UNC Chapel Hill University in the fall. Abigayle hopes that her classes will teach her about neuroscience, a passion she discovered while working with neuro developmentally disabled adults. While at Chapel Hill, she will be preparing herself for graduate studies, probably in the form of medical school so that she can become a neurologist or psychiatrist. When asked how her Extension Agent father, David Fogarty has impacted her life, she says, “My father has been my earliest teacher. At 5 years old I was learning the proper depth to plant a cantaloupe seed. Later that summer, I discovered the joy of eating fruit grown in your own backyard. Trips to the Farmer’s Market opened my eyes to the origins of my meals and the economic benefits of buying locally. A walk in the park was an opportunity for my dad to point out the foliage differences in the many trees we passed. My father also fostered my involvement in community affairs, for example he took me to a Senior Citizen Thanksgiving Dinner annually, where we served food and danced to Elvis Presley. My dad’s impact came in a wide variety of forms, but they all undoubtedly helped mold me into the curious, involved, and grounded daughter that I am today.

Lawson Pollard is the son of Damon and Julie Pollard from Burke County. Lawson will be studying Agricultural Sciences at North Carolina State University in the fall and plans to attend Veterinary School after that. Lawson said that he has been interested in the field of animal science for pretty much his whole life. He would like to someday start his own large animal veterinary practice. When asked how his Extension Agent father, Damon Pollard has impacted his life, he says, “My Dad, introduced me to the realm of agriculture at an early age. He has instilled in me the values of responsibility, time management, leadership, and honesty. He has also bestowed on me his knowledge of animal science and without his timely advice and guidance, I could not have ever came close to the things I have achieved today. My father is my role model, and I will never forget anything he has taught me.

Elizabeth Thornton is the daughter of Allan and Laura Thornton from Sampson County. She plans to major in biology at UNC Chapel Hill or Wake Forest University in the fall. After that, Elizabeth plans to obtain a doctorate in medicine to be a pediatric surgeon or a neuro-surgeon. She enjoys working with children and likes the fast pace of a hospital. Her dream is to work with Doctors Without Borders to give back in a larger global community. When asked how her Extension Agent father has impacted her life, she says, “I would not be the person I am today had it not been for my father. He has instilled in me the values of hard work and integrity. My dad is the hardest working person I know, which has taught me that hard work will take you far in life. He has taught me to set goals and finish strong. Secondly, my dad has taught me the value of integrity, always doing the right thing even when no one is watching. He has taught me that being honest and taking responsibility is not always the easy choice, but it is always the right choice. Throughout my life, my dad has instilled a sense of integrity and the ability to work hard and I strive to work as hard and have as good of a character as my dad.