Agribusiness graduate offers tips for college

June 11, 2020

By Mary Crawford, NCTA News

CURTIS, Neb. – Stepping foot on a college campus for the first time can be exhilarating and unnerving.

However, recent college graduate Paige Twohig of Wilcox says friendly people, common goals and youth programs in junior and senior high helped pave the way.

“When I came on my college visit here at NCTA, I fell in love with the small college and community and knew this is exactly where I wanted to attend college,” says the May graduate.

The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture at Curtis became her home for the next three years.

“My mom graduated from the college at Curtis 22 years ago,” Twohig says of Kerri Twohig, Class of ’98, APS.

At first, Paige chose to follow in her mother’s footsteps, majoring in agriculture production systems.

“I wanted to go off and be my own person, but also stay fairly close to home, and NCTA let me accomplish that,” says Paige.

In May, during a virtual commencement, she earned her associate degree with double majors in agribusiness and APS ag education.

Proximity to Wilcox was important, as an occasional 90-minute drive home allowed her to watch some of her brother’s junior high football and basketball games, and help at the family’s diversified farm.

Twohig added a third year for agribusiness studies, which is becoming more common at the two-year college, due to affordability and convenient location for students who also farm and ranch.

Helping hand

She was named 2020 Outstanding Returning Student in Agribusiness Management Systems by Mary Rittenhouse, associate professor and AMS division chair.

“Paige is an energetic leader and excellent representative of the NCTA Aggie work ethic,” Rittenhouse says. “She helped others along the way. She shared her challenges to help others find a way to accomplish the task on hand. And always with a great sense of humor.”

Twohig was active was a work study student two years at the facilities and operations office, served as a student ambassador giving campus tours and presentations, and helped with recruiting outreach her third year.

Aggie activities included Collegiate Cattlemen, Women in Ag, president of Phi Theta Kappa academic honorary, vice president of Agribusiness Club, served on an employee search committee, and was a student ambassador.

She also was one of three nominees for the overall annual NCTA award, Aggie of the Year.

“Paige is an amazing, responsible, and pleasant young adult who goes above and beyond in everything she does,” wrote Randi Houghtelling, NCTA facililties operation supervisor.

“On top of being a student, leader of many groups, looked to from her peers, she handles all tasks effortlessly. She will truly be missed being my right hand man here in the office. I am proud of all she has accomplished during her time at NCTA.”

Twohig also had a part-time job at a Curtis business. In spite of her busy schedule, Paige said academics were foremost, and she graduated magna cum laude (3.75-3.99 GPA).

Tips for college planning

“My advice for high school students is to study hard and figure out what you are passionate about. Whatever it may be, think about how you can pursue it in college and make a difference in the world!” she says.

“Be involved in activities and organizations that you can while in high school,” she adds, taking her leadership, 4-H and FFA experiences along to college.

This fall, Twohig intends to take online classes through Chadron State College and earn her bachelor’s degree in agribusiness.

“I have loved every minute I’ve spent at NCTA. My time was full of opportunities and personal accomplishments, and I thank the school/faculty/staff for that,” she says.

“My passion and knowledge for agriculture has only grown stronger with my time here, and I have been able to share that with others.”

Part of the University of Nebraska system, the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture is a two-year institution with a statewide mission of preparing students for successful careers in agriculture, veterinary technology and related industries. NCTA is known for its affordable tuition, high job-placement rate for its graduates, and for the success of student teams in competitive activities including crops judging, ranch horse events, livestock judging, shotgun sports, stock dog trials, and intercollegiate rodeo. The college is consistently ranked as one of the best two-year schools in the nation.