YHS Senior Ella Kilgore awarded Nevada Dairy Farmers Culinary Scholarship

Yerington NV – June 5, 2026

Ella Kilgore will be graduating from Yerington High School on June 11, 2026 and plans to attend the University of Nevada Las Vegas UNLV in Fall 2026 studying Hospitality Food & Beverage Management. Ella is known in our community for her entrepreneurial skills: for several years, she and her brother, Charlie, have owned and operated the Looney Leprechaun, a mobile food & beverage business.

Congratulations to Ella on being awarded a $2500 Nevada Dairy Farmers Culinary Scholarship!

Nevada Dairy Farmers Awards $20,000 in Culinary Scholarships to Nevada Students

June 5, 2026 (RENO, Nev.) – The Nevada Dairy Farmers has awarded $20,000 in scholarships to four Nevada students pursuing careers in the culinary arts through the 2026 Nevada Dairy Farmers Culinary Scholarship Program.

Created to support the next generation of culinary professionals while celebrating the versatility and nutritional value of real dairy, the scholarship program recognizes students who demonstrate passion, creativity and commitment to the culinary field.

The 2026 scholarship recipients are:

First Place: Abigail Rodriguez, Debbie Smith CTE Academy, enrolled in The Culinary Institute of America
Scholarship Amount: $10,000

Second Place: Jesus Vazquez-Mireles, Truckee Meadows Community College
Scholarship Amount: $5,000

Third Place: Ella Kilgore, Yerington High School, enrolled in UNLV Hospitality Food & Beverage Management
Scholarship Amount: $2,500

Fourth Place: Alisson Haughey, Truckee Meadows Community College
Scholarship Amount: $2,500

Applicants were evaluated based on acceptance or enrollment in a culinary program, demonstrated commitment to a culinary career, quality of written application materials and the creativity and execution of an original dairy-focused recipe and accompanying video submission.

“Each of this year’s recipients showcased incredible talent, creativity and dedication to pursuing a future in the culinary industry,” said Libby Lovig, RDN, LD, general manager of Nevada Dairy Farmers. “We are proud to support these students as they continue their education and explore innovative ways to incorporate dairy into culinary experiences.”

The scholarship program returned in 2026 following the success of previous Nevada Dairy Farmers culinary scholarship initiatives. Open to Nevada residents age 17 and older, the program encourages students to highlight dairy as a key ingredient through original recipes, photography and video storytelling.

For more information about Nevada Dairy Farmers and future scholarship opportunities, visit the Nevada Dairy Farmers Scholarship webpage.

About The Nevada Dairy Farmers:

The Nevada Dairy Farmers are a group of dairy producers and dedicated advocates who work together to promote responsible dairy farming, nutritional products, and the people who make it all happen, our farmers. Our mission is to promote the nutritional benefits and affordability of natural, nutrient-rich dairy products as part of a healthy lifestyle for youth, families, and adults.

The Dairy Council® of Nevada is a non-profit organization comprised of a team of dedicated professionals devoted to the promotion of agriculture, lifelong health, and the enjoyment of food. We work on behalf of Nevada’s Dairy Farm Families to provide timely, scientifically-based nutrition information to the media, health professionals, consumers, and others concerned about fostering a healthy diet in addition to promoting fun, community-based events to showcase dairy foods and dairy farmers.

For more information about The Nevada Dairy Farmers, visit nevadamilk.com.