Four Area Students Earn Minnesota State Fair Scholarships For Agriculture And Skilled Trades

ST. PAUL (WJON News) -- Four area students are among the recipients of the 2026 Minnesota State Fair Scholarships. The Great Minnesota Get-Together has announced the 25 winners for its Youth Scholarships and Trade Scholarships.

Bryce Frericks of Albany, Ellianna Schendel of Milaca, and Riley Joyner of Litchfield all received a $1,000 Youth Scholarship. Lucas Deyle of Browerville received a $2,000 Trade Scholarship. The Minnesota State Fair Scholarship program awards up to 22 Youth Scholarships of $1,000 each to rural youth or those enrolled in agriculture programs annually.

They also award $2,000 Trade Scholarships to people of any age entering a skilled trade career or furthering their training. The program has awarded over $600,000 since its inception in 1994.

You can see the full list of scholarship recipients below:

YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS:

• Luella Beckendorf of St. James, Minn.
• Cora Bumgarner of Nelson, Minn.
• Leah Carter of Walnut Grove, Minn.
• Alyvia Caskey of Pipestone, Minn.
• Bryce Frericks of Albany, Minn.
• Alivia Fruechte of Verdi, Minn.
• Caden Grossman of Harris, Minn.
• Hanna Gudknecht of Wanamingo, Minn.
• Ahna Heins of Morris, Minn.
• Wyatt Herman of Hastings, Minn.
• Riley Joyer of Litchfield, Minn
• Kirby Olson of Ortonville, Minn.
• Anna Rott of Elgin, Minn.
• Ellianna Schendel of Milaca, Minn.
• Mara Schwarz of Fountain, Minn.
• Katelyn Soost of Nicollet, Minn.
• Natalie Thomforde of Goodhue, Minn.
• Allison Van Nurden of Sunburg, Minn.
• Liv Vander Kooi of Worthington, Minn.
• Hannah Visser of Hutchinson, Minn.
• Kayla Visser of Hutchinson, Minn.
• Edward Winters of Zumbro Falls, Minn

TRADE SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS:

• Lucas Deyle of Browerville, Minn.
• Colby Dohrn of Zumbrota, Minn
• Tyson Prigge of Winona, Minn.