NCTA Castle scholarships to sophomores Kirchner and Ward

NCTA Castle scholarships to sophomores Kirchner and Ward

Joe Kirchner and Melissa Ward received Chandie Castle scholarships in May from Chandie’s father, Randy, and sister, Amanda Castle Bookout who graduated from NCTA. (Crawford/NCTA News photo)
Joe Kirchner and Melissa Ward received Chandie Castle scholarships in May from Chandie’s father, Randy, and sister, Amanda Castle Bookout who graduated from NCTA. (Crawford/NCTA News photo)

July 5, 2017

By NCTA News

CURTIS, Neb. – The legacy of an industrious student who died prior to completing her second college degree will live on for two agriculture students next year at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.

Joe Kirchner of, Blue Hill, Nebraska, and Melissa Ward of Thermopolis, Wyoming, were selected in May to receive the Chandra Castle Memorial Scholarship for the 2017-2018 academic year at NCTA, said NCTA Dean Ron Rosati.

Chandie Castle was killed in a tragic auto accident in January, 2008, after finishing credits for an associate degree in agribusiness, and was set to earn a second degree in production agriculture. Her family of Olathe, Colorado, continues to support agricultural students with annual scholarships.

Joe Kirchner and Melissa Ward will be sophomores at NCTA this fall.  Each receives a Chandra Castle Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $1,000, said Kevin Martin, advisor with NCTA Student Services.

“Joe and Melissa are deserving students and, like Chandie, are dedicated individuals who appreciate the opportunities to study agriculture and pursue a college education,” Martin said.

Joe Kirchner, majoring in diversified agriculture management, is a graduate of Blue Hill Community Schools where he assists his family, Jim and Jackie Kirchner and sister, Jami, with crops and livestock at the farm established by his grandparents. He also works Saturdays at the Blue Hill Livestock Market.

“I chose NCTA because the agriculture program is great, and I like the small classes and small town activities,” Kirchner says. He is a member of NCTA Collegiate 4-H and FFA, and Collegiate Farm Bureau clubs.

Melissa Ward, was homeschooled with her four siblings at the family ranch in Wyoming where she cares for livestock and rides her horses each day.  She is the daughter of Paul and Ginger Ward.

Melissa is studying animal science at NCTA where she also brought her horse for the Colt Starting Class in the spring semester. Her volunteer activities in Curtis include coaching fourth and fifth grade basketball, and participating in NCTA intramural sports.

Castle scholarship recipients are named at the end of their freshmen year of studies. Students are selected based on financial need, academics, leadership and campus involvement.

Information on NCTA programs and financial aid is available at 1-800-3CURTIS or at ncta.unl.edu.

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