GASTONIA, N.C. — WIX Filters continued its support of the National FFA Organization this spring by awarding scholarships to six students in honor of their academic achievements, FFA participation and other community activities and future goals.
      
“Through our FFA partnerships and programs, WIX Filters is able to give local communities more than $50,000 a year in educational support,” said Jeff Blocher, brand manager for WIX Filters, which has donated more than $500,000 since 2000 to local FFA chapters and students through its annual scholarship and box top programs. “The selection criteria are stringent for the FFA scholarships, and we know the individuals chosen will continue to display excellence in the classroom and their communities as they pursue their diplomas.”
      
This is the 25th year that scholarships have been 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.
      
The six students who received the WIX Filters scholarships are Ryan Billman of Norwayne High School FFA, Ohio, who plans to pursue a degree at Ohio State University – Columbus; Clinton Wilmes of West Nodaway FFA, Mo., who plans to pursue a degree at University of Missouri – Rolla; Donald Cummins II of Central High FFA, Va., who plans to pursue a degree at Nashville Auto Diesel College; James Hawn of Blue Juniata FFA, Pa., who plans to pursue a degree at Pennsylvania State University – University Park; Alex Schroeder of Perry Central Jr./Sr. High School FFA, Ind., who plans to pursue a degree at Vincennes University; and Travis Smith of Wheeler Central High School FFA, Neb., who plans to pursue a degree at Southeast Community College.
           
The National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of 507,763 student members – all preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture – as part of 7,439 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.