Rutledge awarded NILE Foundation scholarship

Press release

BILLINGS - The NILE Foundation has announced that Andrea Rutletdge of Big Sandy is among a group of people receiving scholarshipts for the 2018-2019 academic year. 

"Through the efforts of the NILE Foundation the total scholarship amount was increased from $30,000 to $32,000 to help support this year's scholarship winners, interns, and rolling scholarship winners from previous years," said Al McCormick, NILE Scholarship Committee chairman.

Rutledge was one of three high school seniors awarded rolling scholarships in the amount of $1,000 annually for up to four years.  She is the daughter of Kelly and Kristie Rutledge of Big Sandy and plans to attend Montana State Univserity in Bozeman to major in animal science, with the option livestock management and industry. Rutledge said she hopes to work as a beef reproduction specialist after completing college. 

The NILE Foundation again increased the total scholarship amount budgeted for this year's scholarship recipients and also set money aside for the upcoming internship program this fall. Sixteen new recipients were awarded scholarships and nine rolling scholarships were renewed.

Since 1990, the NILE and NILE Foundation have awarded over $860,000 in cash and live animal scholarships to deserving youth active in 4-H, FFA, and their communities. They excelled in the classroom while participating in NILE events.

The NILE Foundation was established in 2009 as a supporting arm of the NILE organization, which is dedicated to the promotion of livestock, agriculture education and respect for the western culture.

Each year the NILE and NILE Foundation touch the lives of nearly 10,000 youth through the many programs, events, live animal scholarships and college scholarships. Together, these organizations provide over $75,000 in cash and live animal scholarships annually. 

People who are interested in contributing to the NILE Foundation can send a donation to P.O. Box 1981, Billings, MT 59103.