HARRISBURG – Four outstanding livestock youth received $1,000 scholarships from the Pennsylvania Livestock Association (PLA) based on leadership skills, a keen interest in the livestock industry, involvement in the Keystone International Livestock Exposition (KILE), and support of PLA.

 

Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff and PLA President Tammy Weaver presented the awards at the Opening Ceremony of the 52nd KILE on Thursday, Oct. 2.  Recipients were Katelynn Curtis, Tiffany Dean, Katrina Frey, and Mallory Ketterer.

	Katelynn Curtis is the daughter of Carl and Christine Curtis of Landisburg, Perry County.  An active 4-H and FFA member, Katelynn exhibited market lambs, steers and beef breeding at local, state and national levels, including KILE.  She held several offices and served in leadership capacities on many committees.  She believes that “as livestock exhibitors we learn the responsibility of caring for someone other than ourselves.” A graduate of West Perry High School, Katelynn was a member of the National Honor Society and Civics Leadership Team.  Now a student at Penn State-Harrisburg in the pre-medicine program, she plans to pursue a career as an obstetrician/gynecologist.
	Tiffany Dean of Strasburg is the daughter of Gary and Joan Dean.  As a Lancaster County 4-H member, Tiffany took projects in market lambs, market swine, steers and beef heifers that she showed on local, state and national levels, including at KILE.  She was a member of the Pennsylvania 4-H Livestock Judging Team and a Pennsylvania delegate to the 2004 National 4-H Congress.  A Lampeter-Strasburg High School graduate, Tiffany is now a dean’s list student at Penn State University studying Animal Science with a business option. She is involved in Block & Bridle and Dairy Science clubs, Collegiate Farm Bureau and Ag Student Council. Upon graduation, Tiffany plans to work in agriculture sales and marketing in any region of the country, stating “agriculture has the same name no matter where you travel, but it exhibits different faces in different regions of the country.”
	Katrina Frey is the daughter of Fred “Fritz” and Nancy Frey of Quarryville.  A Solanco High School graduate and Lancaster County 4-H and FFA member, Katrina showed steers, Angus heifers, breeding sheep and market lambs on local, state and national levels, including KILE.  She was a member of the 2007 Pennsylvania 4-H Livestock Judging Team, and placed second at the Big E FFA Judging Contest.  Katrina has also held offices in the Pennsylvania and National Junior Angus Association.  When considering all her competition, she said “If there is one lesson I have learned from competition, it doesn’t matter how well you place, it is how you got there that matters most.”  Currently a student at West Virginia University, Katrina is enrolled in the pre-pharmacy program and plans to become a pharmacist.
	Mallory Ketterer of Bernville is the daughter of Brian and JoAnn Ketterer.  The Berks County native and Tulpehocken Area High School graduate is the reigning Pennsylvania Lamb & Wool Queen who began showing sheep in 4-H when she was eight years old.  She now has a flock of Border Leicester sheep.  She has served in various leadership roles in her 4-H clubs, and was named the Outstanding 4-Her at the 2008 Reading Fair.  Mallory is enrolled at Albright College in the art education program with plans to teach secondary art.  Her volunteerism includes the Easter Seals, youth basketball leader and the Reading Soup Kitchen.  She serves as a youth mentor and nursery assistant at Epler’s United Church of Christ, and served on its playground fundraising committee.  Mallory believes her 4-H experiences “have allowed me to teach others, and provide the same opportunities I was given.”

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