WAWG
The Asotin County wheat growers have awarded 2023 Asotin High School graduates, Haylee Appleford and Samantha Johnson, $1,000 scholarships for their college ambitions.
Haylee Appleford
Appleford is the daughter of Dusty and Sunni Appleford. She grew up on her family’s wheat farm in Anatone, Wash., where they also raise some cattle. At Asotin High School, Appleford was active in volleyball, basketball, and track. She was very involved in FFA and the National Honors Society. She is planning to attend Lewis-Clark State College (LCSC) in Lewiston, Idaho, with an eye towards a degree in either ag business or radiographic science, which would qualify her as a radiology technician. She will also be competing on LCSC’s track and field team in shot put and discus.
Appleford hopes to use her college education to provide an income while she helps her family grow their cattle ranching.
“I’m very grateful that I was able to receive this scholarship. I know there were quite a few other people who applied for it,” Appleford said. “I want to thank Asotin County wheat growers. I very much appreciate that they granted it to me in order to pursue school.”
Samantha Johnson
Johnson is the daughter of Chad Johnson and Patty Scott. She is the 5th generation on her family’s farm, where they raise wheat, alfalfa, and grass for hay. While a freshman and sophomore in high school, Johnson participated in FFA. In her junior year, however, she started taking classes at Walla Walla Community College (WWCC) through the Running Start program. She graduated from high school with an associate’s degree. She plans on returning to WWCC to get a bachelor’s degree in ag business and eventually take over her family’s farm.
“I’ve always grown up around the farm, so it’s one of the things I know best. I’ve always enjoyed all the hard work, effort, and community,” she said. “I mostly want to thank the Asotin County wheat growers for considering and accepting me. Getting the scholarship will help me go to school, learn and grow, and be more successful.”