Starion Bank has awarded $500 scholarships to Trent Brokaw and Carli Merkel, Ellendale High School graduates; Mackenzie Reiser and David Schmitz, Oakes High School graduates; Sydney Harris, Rolla High School graduate; Hannah Strong, Rolette High School graduate; and Jacob Undlin, Mohall High School graduate. Alex Roney, Oakes High School graduate, was awarded the Starion Bank 2022 FFA Scholarship.
To be eligible for these scholarships, the applicant must live in the general Starion banking area or be the dependent of someone who lives in the general banking area of a local Starion branch.
The applicants were evaluated in a variety of areas including leadership, community involvement, and future career goals and plans. Of our many applicants, these eight students displayed a great level of excellence and promise in all these areas.
Trent Brokaw has been active as a hand at the Brokaw family ranch and as a general help in the Ashley Veterinary Clinic. He has also participated in several school sports at the varsity level. Brokaw graduated from Ellendale with plans to pursue a degree in diesel technology at Lake Area Technical College in Watertown, South Dakota.
Carli Merkel earned ribbons and awards in FFA, FCCLA, drama and other activities throughout her high school career, all while working in several local businesses. Merkel graduated from Ellendale with plans to pursue a degree in animal and equine sciences at North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota.
Mackenzie Reiser has participated in a variety of high school activities including choir, speech, track and student council. She has also worked as a cashier and cook at local business Good Oil. Reiser graduated from Oakes with plans to pursue a degree in elementary education at Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota.
David Schmitz spent three years as a lifeguard at Oakes Pool and worked as summer help for the city. Schmitz won 2nd in the state in DECA, qualifying for Nationals. He also served as Vice President in student council, captained the football team where he was elected twice to the all-state team, and is a member of the National Honor Society. Schmitz graduated from Oakes with plans to pursue a degree in agriculture economics at North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota.
Sydney Harris has been active in choir and speech, as well as National Honor Society, where she served as chapter vice president, and NCCLA, where she won two district gold medals and a Senior Award. She has also worked at Harris Fireworks and volunteered with Turtle Mountain Animal Rescue. Harris graduated from Rolla High School with plans to attend Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts and pursue a psychology degree.
Hannah Strong has been active in basketball and volleyball in school. She has also held the offices of president, vice president and secretary in the local 4H club, held several offices at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and worked at her family’s business, The Meat Shack. Strong graduated from Dunseith High School and plans to attend North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota, to pursue a degree in equine science.
Jacob Undlin has been active as a well sprayer at M&J and as a farm hand at B&D Custom Spraying. In school, he participated in several sports, and served as team captain on the football and basketball teams. Undlin graduated from Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood High School with plans to pursue a degree in management at Bismarck State College in Bismarck, North Dakota.
Alex Roney has been heavily involved in the Roney family farm, combining, football, and FFA. Roney graduated from Oakes with plans to pursue a degree in agriculture production at Lake Area Technical College in Watertown, South Dakota.
For more than 20 years, Starion Bank has awarded scholarships to support local students in their pursuit of higher education.
