Costello receives scholarship for FFA summer leadership retreat
BATH (May 27, 2025) - Agriculture education teachers/FFA advisors make a world of difference for the students they teach. This spring, students put into words the impact their ag teachers/FFA advisors have had on them as part of an FFA Advisor Tribute Scholarship application. Seventeen students, including Garretson's Jacoby Costello, will receive a scholarship to attend a SD FFA Leadership Retreat this summer based on the powerful stories they shared about the impact their teachers have had on their lives. Costello spoke highly of FFA Advisor Alysha Kientopf.
The selected students were not afraid to share the admirable characteristics of their advisors and how they have placed a lasting impact on them and their fellow classmates.
Costello, a Garretson High School junior, commented, “Ms. Alysha Kientopf helped me out of my shell with public speaking. She encouraged me out of my bubble with ag broadcasting and now I can stand in front of a whole gym of people and not get nervous.”
Costello was awarded the Walt Johnson Memorial Scholarship.
Scholarships are made possible through the SD FFA Foundation by Rhonda Wosje, Jason and Ashley Frerichs, and the Walt Johnson Memorial Fund; in memory of two past FFA advisors: Leonard DeBoer and Walt Johnson. Both men led by example and their advice was truly ripened with wisdom. Mr. Johnson served as the SD FFA Foundation President, as well as on the SD FFA Foundation board, in Newell as an ag teacher, supporter and coach for FFA career development events. He was devoted to agriculture education and earned his Honorary American FFA Degree in 2007. Mr. DeBoer spent his life teaching young people about agriculture and the leadership skills that would make them successful in their career choice. He was the FFA advisor in Chamberlain for almost 40 years where he lived FFA's mission by making a difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
Along with Costello, 16 other students from around South Dakota were awarded scholarships. They, too, spoke of how their advisor increased their confidence, self-esteem, and leadership skills.
For more information about the South Dakota FFA Foundation and South Dakota's FFA programs, visit www.sdffafoundation.org.
