GASTONIA, N.C. -- WIX Filters has again this year awarded six scholarships to graduating high school students via the National FFA Organization in honor of their academic achievements, FFA participation, school and community activities and future goals.
       
“Selected from more than 8,000 applicants from across the country, recipients of FFA Scholarships are on the right path to be tomorrow’s business, agriculture and community leaders,” said Jeff Blocher, brand manager for WIX Filters, which has been providing scholarships through the National FFA Foundation since 1985. “WIX Filters is proud to provide more than $50,000 a year in educational support through our various partnerships with the FFA, including this scholarship program and our annual WIX/FFA box top program.”
      
Scholarships are made available through the National FFA Foundation by business and industry sponsors to reward and encourage excellence and enable students to pursue their educational goals. WIX Filters has helped the FFA raise funds for 26 consecutive years and has donated more than $500,000 since 2000 to local FFA chapters and students through its annual scholarship and box top programs.
      
This year’s scholarship recipients are: Micah Zehr of Fairbury, Ill.; Dylan Kraus of Maple Hill, Kan.; Justin Kolb of Meadow, S.D.; Cory Blaes of Cherryvale, Kan; Jake Bonham of Washington, Ohio; and Chadd Petrick of Anamosa, Iowa. The scholarships are part of 1,443 awarded through the National FFA Scholarship Program this year.
    
The National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of 506,199 student members – all preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture – as part of 7,429 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The National FFA Organization changed to its present name in 1988, in recognition of the growth and diversity of agriculture and agricultural education. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.