Bio: Mertens, Reed – Scholarship Recipient (2021)
Transcriber:
stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Mertens, Behr
----Source: THORP COURIER 15 Sep 2021
MADISON, Wisconsin [September 14, 2021] - The Wisconsin Rural Opportunities
Foundation, Inc. (WROF) is honored to announce Reed Mertens as the recipient of
the WROF Premier Scholarship. This award is presented to high school graduate
who is pursuing a college a degree here in Wisconsin with plans to return and
thrive in a rural community. There were over 130 extremely qualified candidates
that a committee of rural leaders vetted carefully and selected one overall
winner to receive $5,000 towards their education.
Reed Mertens is a 2021 Thorp High School graduate and will be continuing his
education at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. The son of James and
Kimberly, Reed was raised on dairy goat farm where his family milks 300 goats.
He assists daily with milking, animal health, and feeding. His own herd of goats
has grown to 30 head. Reed is also an accomplished outdoorsman. In the spring,
he enjoys making maple syrup, fishing during the summer, and the fall hunting
season.
Mertens graduated first in his class with a 4.0 GPA. During his high school
tenure, he was active in football, serving as team captain his junior and senior
years. He was also involved in I track and field, FFA, National Honor Society,
band, drama, the youth apprenticeship program, and the student run company of I
Sparks N' Sawdust.
"I chose to major in agricultural business because my passion resides in
agriculture. I chose ag business over other ag degrees because I noticed people
have trouble, at times, understanding the relationship between business and
farming. I hope to take
over the family farm after college so I decided to go to college to get a degree
that will hopefully help me improve and expand my goat dairy," says Mertens.
WROF is thrilled to award this scholarship to Reed Mertens. Reed wants to return
to rural Wisconsin upon graduation from college and rural Wisconsin needs his
abilities and drive. Our scholarship will allow him to focus on his studies,
earn his bachelor's degree and not worry about how he will finance his
education. That's a win-win for Reed and rural Wisconsin," states Joan Behr,
WROF Board President.
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