AVMA Funded FFA grant scholarship Awarded to aspiring veterinarian in Missouri

— The National FFA Organization awarded a $1,000 American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) scholarship to Megan Westerhold of Rich Hill, Mo.

This is the second year that the AVMA has sponsored scholarships for aspiring veterinarians through the FFA. Ms. Westerhold plans to use the scholarship to pursue an undergraduate degree and then a veterinary degree at University of Missouri – Columbia. She is interested in practicing large animal veterinary medicine.

"I am very grateful to have been chosen to receive this year's AVMA scholarship. I just completed my first year at University of Missouri and look forward to returning this fall," Westerhold says. "As an animal science/pre-vet major, this scholarship will be a big help towards pursuing that degree. I hope to someday become a large animal veterinarian and practice in southwest Missouri."

The AVMA granted two scholarships through the FFA this year and will be offering them again in 2010. The AVMA and its charitable arm, the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF), will distribute more than 23 scholarships this year, including 21 to students attending AVMA-accredited veterinary schools in the United States. This year, the AVMF scholarships are aimed at students interested in large animal veterinary medicine, food safety, public health, and shelter medicine.

Ms. Westerhold was chosen for the AVMA scholarship from 7,810 applicants from across the country who applied for FFA scholarships. Selections were based on the applicant's academic record, FFA and other school and community activities, supervised agricultural experience program in agricultural education and future goals.

For more information about the AVMA and its programs, please visit www.avma.org.

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The AVMA and its more than 78,000 member veterinarians are engaged in a wide variety of activities dedicated to advancing the science and art of animal, human and public health. Visit the AVMA Web site at www.avma.org for more information.

The National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of 507,763 student members – all preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture – as part of 7,439 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The National FFA Organization changed to its present name in 1988, in recognition of the growth and diversity of agriculture and agricultural education. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Visit www.ffa.org for more information.