Washington Wheat Ambassador Leadership Program 
This program is sponsored by the Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) and is available to children of WAWG members living in Washington state. The program is designed to provide young adults with an excellent leadership and scholarship opportunity. It is also designed to increase the public’s understanding of the wheat industry and how farming
affects their daily life as consumers.

Two candidates will be selected as Washington Wheat Ambassadors. A $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to the top Ambassador, and a scholarship of $4,500 will be awarded to one alternate Ambassador. Both Ambassadors will be expected to participate in various activities and opportunities.

Term
Washington Wheat Ambassadors are expected to make a 12 month commitment starting December 2024 and ending December 2025. There are some required activities scheduled throughout the year, most are in the winter
months. Travel and meals will be compensated.

In addition to the required events, Ambassadors are highly encouraged to take part in at least two other leadership opportunities. These events include, but are not limited to: Ag Expo, Kennewick and/or Spokane Farm Fairs, and a hometown school presentation. We also invite the Ambassadors to take part in WAWG & WWF Board Meetings at the conclusion of the term.

Candidate Eligibility Requirements
• Must be the child of a current WAWG member living in Washington state
• Must be a high school senior with a cumulative 3.3 GPA or higher and who plans to attend a two or four year college immediately after high school
• Must be available to attend various activities throughout term
• Must have a genuine desire to promote agriculture and to help others better understand the value and importance of the industry

General Ambassador Responsibilities
• Promote and represent the wheat industry at local, regional and state venues
• Network with and present to outside groups
• Actively participate in various face to face meetings and events

Required Event 
WAWG annual dinner Coeur d’Alene, Idaho November 20, 2024
Advocacy trip Olympia, Wash. January 2025

Benefits
• Scholarship opportunity
• Opportunity to further develop confidence in leadership, communication and organizational skills
• Increased knowledge of the Washington wheat and grain industry

Application Process
The Washington Wheat Ambassador Program coordinates the selection of candidates to ensure that a similar, fair and equitable process is followed. Applications must be sent to the WAWG office at 109 E. First Ave., Ritzville, WA 99169 postmarked no later than October 15, 2024.

Selection, State Banquet and Presentation Process
An anonymous selection committee will judge all applications. The top two candidates will be notified of their selection as Washington Wheat Ambassadors by November 5, 2024.
The Ambassadors will then be required to attend the Washington Association of Wheat Growers’ annual state dinner and awards banquet held on November 20, 2024, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The Ambassadors and their
parents will be welcomed by their Ambassador Advisor and other Ambassador Program personnel, as well as wheat industry leaders.
Each Ambassador will be required to give up to a four minute speech on an agriculture-related topic of their choice at the banquet. At the conclusion of the banquet, the scholarships will be announced.

Click Here for the 2024-25 Application

Washington’s 2023-24 Wheat Ambassadors Samantha Holling and Izabella Myers 

Samantha Holling of Fairfield

Holling is the daughter of Casey and Miranda Holling. She is a student at Oakesdale High School where she maintains nearly a 4.0 GPA while being extremely active in FFA. She has served in many FFA chapter and district positions and is very active in her community, including being a youth mentor. She raises and shows pigs on her family’s wheat farm where she has been helping out since she was young. Besides FFA and her community involvement, Holling also plays volleyball and basketball. Holling is planning on attending the University of Idaho and majoring in agribusiness. She hopes to find a career working directly with farmers.

Izabella Myers of Latah

Myers is the daughter of Clint and Tawnya Myers. She is a student at Liberty High School where she maintains a high GPA. She has been involved in 4-H and FFA throughout her school years and raises and shows pigs while also helping out on her family’s wheat farm. When she’s not volunteering for a nonprofit that puts together activity kits for hospitalized children, Myers can be found playing on her high school basketball team. Last year, she started a small baking business and is in the process of getting a small plane pilot’s license. Myers plans to study agricultural education at a four-year university and become a high school ag teacher.