Clinton CFB Foundation announces 2026 scholarship winners

Twenty-eight (28) college students have been selected to receive scholarships from the Clinton County Farm Bureau (CFB) Foundation for the 2026-27 school year based on their academic ability, financial need, leadership involvement and professional career goals. This year’s scholarships total is $31,250. 

Funds for many of the scholarships are made available by a $22,000 donation from the Dorothy & Wilhemine Ratermann Trust. The Ratermann’s believed strongly in agriculture and the education of American youth. In addition to the gift from the Ratermann Trust, the Foundation received over $5,500 in contributions from approximately 1,000 members this past year. For the fourth year in a row, we also awarded the Marie Krausz Memorial Scholarship. Donated funds were designated to assist a student pursuing a degree in nursing. Additional scholarship funds were raised from our annual “Pulling for Agriculture” tractor pull held in September.  

The Clinton CFB Foundation is a charitable trust foundation is a charitable trust foundation that is property of Clinton County Farm Bureau members and administered by a local Board of Directors. The Clinton CFB Foundation was formed to provide scholarships and other resources for the promotion and education of agriculture. Anyone can contribute to the Foundation and all contributions are tax-deductible. To-date, the Clinton CFB Foundation has awarded 593 scholarships to sons and daughters of Clinton CFB members with a total of $557,550. 

The Clinton CFB Foundation salutes each of this year’s winners and wishes them continued success in their future pursuits.  

Blake Twenhafel ($3,500) – son of Michael and Angie Twnehafel of New Baden. Blake is a 2023 graduate of Wesclin High School and is currently attending The University of Illinois pursuing a degree in Crop Science.  

Kierstan Lampe ($3,000) – son of Craig and Stacey Lampe of Aviston. Kierstan is a 2023 graduate of Central High School and is currently attending Iowa State University pursuing a degree in Animal Science.  

Drew Lueking ($2,500) – son of Douglas and Sheila Lueking of Centralia. Drew is currently a senior at Christ Our Rock Lutheran High School with plans to attend Lake Land College and later transfer to a four year university to obtain a degree in Animal Science/Ag Business. 

Cara Carrillon ($2,500) – daughter of Curt and Nicole Carrillon of Carlyle. Cara is a 2025 graduate of Central High School and is currently attending the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to obtain a degree in Animal Science. 

Kalie Wellen ($1,750) – daughter of Cory and Brianne Wellen of Albers. Kalie is 2024 graduate of Central High School and is currently attending Murray State University majoring in Animal Science with food animal emphasis.  

Evan Beal ($1,500) – son of Jonathan and Kerri Beal of Centralia. Evan is currently a senior at Christ Our Rock Lutheran High School with plans to obtain a degree in Agribusiness with a focus in Beef Production.  

Grace Henrichs ($1,500) – daughter of Bryan and Emily Henrichs of Breese. Grace is currently a senior at Central High School with plans to pursue a degree in Ag Business and History on a pre-law track.  

Caiden Litteken ($1,500) – son of Mark and Jenny Litteken of Aviston. Caiden is currently a senior at Central High School with plans to attend Lake Land College with plans to later transfer to a university to obtain a degree in Animal Science with an emphasis in Animal Nutrition.  

Kara Schomaker ($1,250) – daughter of Nick and Anita Schomaker of Germantown. Kara is currently a senior at Central High School, planning to pursue a biology degree with a pre-medical track at the University of Mississippi. 

Clayton Jansen ($1,000) – son of Ryan and Kelly Jansen of Albers. Clayton is currently a senior at Central High School with plans to attend Southern Illinois University in Carbondale to earn a degree in Aviation Management/Professional Flight. 

Alexis Kampwerth ($1,000 Marie Krausz Memorial Scholarship) – daughter of Ryan Kampwerth and Brandi Starko of Aviston. Alexis is a 2023 graduate of Mater Dei High School currently pursuing a degree in nursing at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville. 

Jackson Kampwerth ($1,000) – son of Matthew and Tanya Kampwerth of Carlyle. Jackson is currently a senior at Central High School with plans on earning a degree in Agribusiness Economics.  

Reid Koch ($1,000) – daughter of Dale and Monica Koch of Germantown. Reid is a 2025 graduate of Mater Dei High School and is currently attending Murray State University pursuing a degree in Agriculture Science with a minor in equine science.  

Abigail Voss ($1,000) – daughter of Jared and Lisa Voss of Carlyle. Abigail is a 2025 graduate of Central High School and is currently attending Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, pursuing a degree in Elementary Education. 

Lilly Henrichs ($750) – daughter of Michael and Rebecca Henrichs of Breese. Lilly is currently a senior at Central High School, planning on pursuing a degree in nursing at Murray State University. 

Adelyn Schroeder ($750) – daughter of Jacob and Pamela Schroeder of Bartelso. Adelyn is currently a senior at Central High School with plans to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville. 

Abigail Steinkamp ($750) – daughter of Eric and Jennifer Steinkamp of Bartelso. Abigail is currently a senior at Carlyle High School with plans to attend the Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville to obtain a degree in Biological Sciences.  

Rebecca Albers ($500) – daughter of Bryan and Ann Albers of Trenton. Rebecca is currently a senior at Wesclin High School with plans to attend Kaskaskia College before transferring to a four-year college to earn a Biology Degree. 

Ethan Brinkmann ($500) – son of Jason and Elisha Brinkmann of Carlyle. Ethan is currently a senior at Carlyle High School and plans to attend Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, to major in Pre-Law to become an Environmental Lawyer. 

Madeline Fuhler ($500) – daughter of Robert and Debra Fuhler of Pocahontas. Madeline is currently a senior at Central High School with plans to attend Kaskaskia College and later transferring to a four-year university to obtain a degree in Animal Science.  

Clara Gerdes ($500) – daughter of Alan and Renee Gerdes of Bartelso. Clara is currently a senior at Central High School with plans on attending the University of Missouri to obtain a degree in Animal Sciences with hopes to attend veterinary school in the future. 

Trent Korte ($500) – son of Keith and Erin Korte of Damiansville. Trent is a 2025 graduate of Mater Dei High School and is currently attending Kaskaskia College with plans to transfer to a four-year university to pursue a degree in finance. 

Carson Moore ($500) – son of Tim and Renee Moore of Bartelso. Carson is a 2025 graduate of Central High School currently attending Southwestern Illinois College pilot training program. 

Christopher Richter ($500) – son of Allen and Barbara Richter of Aviston. Christopher is a 2024 graduate of Central High School and is currently attending Southern Illinois University Edwardsville pursuing a degree in Computer Science. 

Karli Thole ($500) – daughter of Randy and Joanie Thole of Germantown. Karli is currently a senior at Central High School with plans to attend McKendree University to obtain her master’s in accounting with a minor in business or finance.  

April Wilken ($500) – the daughter of Adam and Rose Wilken of Germantown. April is currently a senior at Central High School with plans to attend the University of Missouri, Columbia, to obtain a degree in Strategic Communications/Public Relations focusing on Agribusiness. 

Emily Cirrincione ($250) – daughter of Joseph and Laura Cirrincione of St. Rose. Emily is currently a senior at Central High School with plans to attend Kaskaskia College to study to be a paramedic/EMT.  

Brady Moore ($250) – son of Tim and Renee Moore of Bartelso. Brady is a 2022 graduate of Central High School currently attending McKendree University majoring in Physical Education and Health Education.