Montana State University’s most prestigious scholarship was awarded to 22 high school graduates from across the nation and the world, including 13 students from Montana.
The MSU Presidential Scholarship is awarded based on scholastic achievement, demonstrated leadership and exemplary public service. Recipients receive an annual stipend plus a tuition waiver, renewable for three additional years if students maintain superior academic standing at MSU and active membership in the Honors College.
“Our Presidential Scholars represent different hometowns, disciplines and life experiences, but they share a common drive to become community leaders. This will serve them well at MSU,” said MSU President Brock Tessman. “I look forward to seeing where this determination will take them in the next stage of their academic journey at Montana State.”
MSU selected the scholars from a pool of 1,215 applicants, said Richard Badenhausen, dean of the Honors College.
“The students in this year’s class of Presidential Scholars are notable for how they have balanced academic excellence with a commitment to serving their local communities,” Badenhausen said. “We look forward to welcoming them to the Bobcat family soon and supporting them as they look to leave a similar mark at MSU.”
The Montana recipients hail from Billings, Bozeman, Columbia Falls, Great Falls, Harlowton, Helena, Kalispell, Missoula and Winnett.
Billings Senior High School graduate Beyla Cassie, who plans to study environmental sciences, served as senior class president and captained her school’s speech and debate team. From Bozeman High School, Daniel Peace, headed for mechanical engineering, earned perfect scores at state and district music festivals and received the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award, while classmate Elaina Tripet, pursuing cell biology and neuroscience, captained her hockey team and volunteered at Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital.
Columbia Falls High School’s Ashley Andrews, who plans to study English education, served as a National Honor Society officer and varsity track and cross-country leader. From C.M. Russell High School in Great Falls, Finley Durocher, pursuing biological engineering, was a four-year Symphonic Band member and All-State musician, while classmate Taylah Jaques, headed for nursing, was active in student government and HOSA Future Health Professionals.
Harlowton High School valedictorian Ella Cooney, who plans to study agricultural business and finance, represented her community at American Legion Auxiliary Girls State and hopes to return to rural Montana to work in agricultural lending.
Three scholars came from Capital High School in Helena: Sydney Harman, pursuing biomedical engineering, placed first in the state in Science Olympiad’s Codebusters competition for two years; Delaney Lynch, headed for cell biology and neuroscience, served as a student trustee on the Helena Public Schools Board of Trustees; and valedictorian Caden McCullough, pursuing a pre-medicine track, was a two-year golf captain and three-year tennis captain.
From Glacier High School in Kalispell, Quinn Berkram plans to study kinesiology and earned the Montana Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish. Big Sky High School’s Josephine Schulze, of Missoula, founded her school’s International Club chapter and conducted oncology research with the American Cancer Society ahead of pursuing a microbiology degree.
Winnett High School graduate Shaylie Ahlgren, who grew up on her family’s ranch in eastern Montana, plans to double major in agricultural business and economics and founded Winnett’s FFA chapter; she hopes to attend law school and become an agricultural attorney.