DOSWELL, VA (Rocktown Now) — Nearly 30 youth who participated in the 2025 State Fair of Virginia 4-H and FFA livestock and general competitions were awarded a total of $41,625 from the fair’s Applied Scholarship Program. 

Two new scholarships were awarded this year.

The Wayne & Pattie Pryor Scholarship offered $3,000 to a top applicant who demonstrated interest in trade skills and agricultural restoration. This is a $26,000 scholarship fund that will be awarded through 2035. Wayne Pryor served 18 years as president of Virginia Farm Bureau, and the Pryors have been been longtime supporters of the youth competitions. 

The Suzanne S. Youngkin Scholarship is an endowed donation of $10,000, and this year $500 was awarded to a senior female top applicant.

Additionally, a $1,000 Farm Credit Scholarship was available to any youth exhibitor who participated during the State Fair. Also, five $2,000 youth development scholarships and three $1,000 youth development scholarships were offered for participants in any State Fair competition.

A $1,000 scholarship also was offered to participants in State Fair 4-H, FFA or youth craft, skill or trade competitions. That scholarship was part of the Gatewood Holland Stoneman Endowment, established in 2018 in memory of W.N. Stoneman Jr. The Stoneman family continues to be active in the fair and other agricultural causes.

For the Applied Youth Livestock Scholarships, judging was based on applicants’ livestock show participation, as well as on leadership, community service activities and an essay. The scholarships were offered in three age groups: Juniors (9-12), Intermediate (13-15) and Seniors (16 and older). Funds allocated for those scholarships represent a portion of proceeds from the 11th annual Youth Livestock Sale of Champions benefit auction, held Oct. 4, 2025.

Past scholarship recipients have noted how important their involvement in livestock shows as well as the other 4-H, FFA and youth craft, skill and trade competitions have helped them achieve their goals.

The winners are:

Youth Livestock Scholarships

Senior

• First place: Grayson Long of Rockingham County, $2,775

• Second place: Abigail Miller of Wythe County, $2,312.50

• Third place: Kennah Kerns of Frederick County, $1,850

• Honorable mention: Leslie Linton of Fauquier County, $1,156.25

• Honorable mention: Reagan Babb of Chesapeake, $1,156.25

Intermediate

• First place: Sedona Sifford of Fauquier County, $2,081.25

• Second place: Kaid Altman of Orange County, $1,734.25

• Third place: John Mason Haile of Hanover County, $1,387.50

• Honorable mention: Ella Miller of Wythe County, $867.25

• Honorable mention: Kylie Blevins of Washington County, $867.25

Junior

• First place: Macyn Beamer of Rockingham County, $2,081.25

• Second place: Shelby Shifflett of Madison County, $1,734.25

• Third place: Emily Somers of Page County, $1,387.50

• Honorable mention: Hayden Ruebush of Augusta County, $867.25

• Honorable mention: Katelyn Meanley of Hanover County: $867.25

General State Fair Scholarships

Youth Development Scholarships

• Lily Henicheck of Hanover County, $2,000

• Grayson Long of Rockingham County, $2,000

• John Mason Haile of Hanover County, $2,000

• Emma Wisecarver of Frederick County, $2,000

• Savannah Jones of Appomattox County, $2,000

• Abigail Miller of Wythe County, $1,000

• Sedona Sifford of Fauquier County, $1,000

• Janie Davis of Augusta County, $1,000

Wayne & Pattie Pryor Scholarship 

• Luke Whetzel of Shenandoah County, $3,000

Suzanne S. Youngkin Scholarship 

• Corinne Cooley of Frederick County, $500

Gatewood Holland Stoneman Scholarship

• McKenzie Wilson of Henry County, $1,000

Farm Credit Scholarship 

• Emma Tetley of Hanover County, $1,000

“The applicants are all incredibly gifted, and their talents represented skills in the arts, horticulture, livestock and FFA,” noted Lynwood Broaddus, chair of the SFVA Scholarship Committee. “Any youth who compete in state fair competitions are eligible to apply for youth scholarships in that given year, so we hope more will take advantage of this great program.”

Since 2013 the State Fair has awarded 2,903 scholarships and over $1.15 million to support youth education. The fair offers youth more than $100,000 each year in scholarship funds through 4-H, FFA and vocational competitions and specific equine, fine arts and horticulture competitions.