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Two $500 scholarships were awarded by the Darwin Bryan Scholarship fund to Kyle Blakley of Butler County and Anna Leis of Montgomery County. Kathryn Johnson, Franklin County, was awarded the first-ever Helen Bryan Scholarship and Barbara Steiner, Warren County, was awarded the Ohio Farm Bureau Scholarship.

Blakley, son of Kevin and Anita Blakley, is a freshman at University of Cincinnati majoring in civil and environmental engineering. He was active in Farm Bureau youth activities as well as junior fair board, 4-H and FFA.

In his scholarship application narrative, Blakley wrote: "Farm Bureau youth has given me the opportunity to meet people from the state of Ohio, as well as from around the country, and has also been an organization that helped mold me into a leader."

Leis, daughter of Randy Leis and Barbara Leis, is a sophomore at Ohio State University in Columbus where she majors in landscape horticulture. She also has been active in Farm Bureau youth events, both in the county and with Collegiate Farm Bureau, as well as 4-H and FFA.

In her scholarship application narrative, Leis wrote: "Much of my life has been dedicated to involvement relating to agriculture…I do these things because a life involving agriculture is the life I know and love."

Kathryn Johnson, daughter of William and Denise Johnson, is a June 2004 graduate of Upper Arlington High School. She will attend Ohio State this fall and plans to major in animal science and agribusiness. In addition to participation in Farm Bureau youth, Johnson is active in DARE, Habitat for Humanity and was president of the Franklin County Junior Fair Board.

In her scholarship application narrative, Johnson said, "…this scholarship will allow me to participate in Farm Bureau and stay active in my youth council, as well as become active in agricultural clubs at OSU…I want to become an assistant adviser for the Franklin County youth council after I am too old to participate."

The Darwin Bryan Scholarship honors the long-time youth program coordinator for the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation. His wife, Helen, passed away recently and a new scholarship was established in her memory.

Barbara Steiner, daughter of Joe and Annette Steiner, is the recipient of the Ohio Farm Bureau Scholarship, which is open to agribusiness and applied economics majors at Ohio State. A sophomore, she is a member of Collegiate 4-H, Agribusiness Club, Buckeye Dairy Club and the college’s Student Council.

To be eligible for the Darwin or Helen Bryan Scholarship, students or their parents must be Farm Bureau members. Students may apply annually for the award; applications are available after Aug. 2 from county Farm Bureau offices, youth council advisers or via e-mail from Darrell Rubel, OFBF director of safety and youth programs. Rubel's e-mail address is drubel@ofbf.org. Applications for the 2005 scholarships are due Jan. 31.