Jake Hlas, from Tama County, was awarded the $1,000 Great Western Bank Scholarship through the Iowa 4-H Foundation at the recognition event Sunday, June 4 in Ames.

The Iowa 4-H Foundation has announced the recipients of over 70 Iowa 4-H college scholarships valued at over $100,000. Recipients accepted their awards on Sunday, June 4 at the Foundation’s Scholarship Reception held in the Scheman Building at Iowa State University. Over 500 applications were submitted and scholarships have been awarded to recipients from 48 counties across the state of Iowa with a wide variety of 4-H experiences.

Hlas will be attending Iowa State University in the fall of 2017 majoring in animal science. His goal is to attend veterinary school, and then find a career involving advanced genetics.

Hlas has been heavily involved at his high school, county and state. He has served as the student body vice-president, along with involvement in Spanish club, FFA, and student council. On the county level, he served as the Garwin Roughriders President and a member of the Tama County Council. On the state level, he is a North-East Iowa FFA district officer. Jake’s 4-H involvement has allowed him to participate in numerous project areas and grow his leadership skills.

“Growing up in and around 4-H events has without a doubt influenced my college choice and career path, as well as my personal goals,” said Hlas. “Out of everything 4-H has granted me, the ideal that means the most is the passion that was instilled into me to advocate for agriculture”

“We are thrilled this year to be able to offer over $100,000 in 4-H College Scholarships,” said Doug Den Adel, president of the Iowa 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees. “With the help of donors from across the state, we are able to recognize deserving young people who have demonstrated leadership potential, a commitment to service and a desire to succeed.”

Great Western Bank Agri Business in West Des Moines provides a $1,000 award to one male and one female who are participating members in Iowa 4-H and show promise in their career plans. Each student must major within Iowa State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.