Montana State University names 2024 provost scholars

From the MSU News Service

BOZEMAN — Thirteen high school graduates, including Chinook graduate Quentin Edwards, from throughout the state and country, including six from Montana, have been named 2024 Montana State University Provost Scholars.

The award is one of MSU’s most prestigious scholarships.

“We are honored that these students have chosen to attend Montana State University,” MSU provost Robert Mokwa said. “We know they will impact our community, state and nation in significant ways.”

The MSU Provost Scholarship awards are based on scholastic achievement, demonstrated leadership and exemplary public service. Recipients of the Provost Scholarship also receive an annual stipend plus a tuition waiver. The scholarship is for four years if the students maintain superior academic standing at MSU.

“This scholarship reflects these students’ extraordinary accomplishments, hard work and potential to make significant contributions to society,” said Durward Sobek, interim dean of the MSU Honors College.

“We celebrate their success and look forward to welcoming them to the Bobcat family as they embark on this exciting new chapter in their educational journey.”

Edwards graduated from Chinook High School and plans to major in biomedical engineering and then attend medical school. He was a member of the National Honor Society and president of the student council. He was involved in football, basketball, track and field, pep club, pep band and Science Olympiad. Edwards was a delegate to the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Conference and was a Western Aerospace Scholar. He also volunteered for a local wildlife museum, the community food pantry and his church. His parents are Tammy and Sean Edwards.

The other 2024 MSU Provost Scholarship recipients from Montana are:

Abigail Pilskalns graduated as valedictorian from Bigfork High School and plans to pursue a degree in biology while completing pre-medicine curriculum. She finished high school in three years, completed a year of college credits from Flathead Valley Community College, participated in soccer and Cave Club for all of high school and played tennis at Bigfork for two years. She is also part of her school’s chapter of the National Honor Society and is involved in community programs such as teaching middle schoolers, coaching middle school soccer, teaching a class at her church, conducting breast cancer research over the summer and volunteering at culture-based programs at Bigfork High School and FVCC. Her parents are Nanci and Paul Pilskalns.

Emma Guter is a graduate of Great Falls High School and plans to pursue a degree in cell biology and neuroscience. She was co-president of her student body, head of the service committee for her school’s chapter of the National Honor Society and a varsity swimmer for four years. She also participated in the Montana All-State Band and the All-Northwest Band as a French horn musician. She volunteered for four consecutive summers at Toby’s House Crisis Nursery and interned at the McLaughlin Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences the past two summers. Her parents are Colleen Marron and Karl Guter.

Adam Grasmick is a graduate of Capital High School and plans to pursue a degree in computer science with a minor in mathematics. He participated in varsity sports such as soccer, football and powerlifting, for which he won two state championships. He was also involved in activities such as Science Olympiad, Science Bowl and Health Occupations Students of America. His parents are Shannon and Charlie Grasmick.

Zora Holt is a graduate of Hinsdale High School and plans to study pre-veterinary medicine. She participated in 4-H, FFA, band, choir, basketball and track and field all four years of high school and held offices in her 4-H club and FFA chapter. She was also involved in National Honor Society and cross-country. Notable accomplishments include winning the 2022 Montana FFA Star State Secretary award, breaking Hinsdale’s 3,200-meter record during her senior track season and graduating as valedictorian. Her parents are Jason Holt and Sierra Stoneberg Holt.

Alexandra Naber y Rosario graduated as valedictorian from Fergus High School and plans to pursue a degree in biomedical engineering. She served as senior class president and captain of the cross-country team, and she also participated in track and field, band, Business Professionals of America and Key Club all four years of high school. She joined Scouts BSA in 2019 and recently earned the rank of Eagle Scout. She is a 2024 National Merit Scholar and a Montana University System Honor Scholar. Her parents are Helge Naber and Chase Rosario.