Megan Opperman of Rockford, IL is the 2015 recipient of the Allen Tucker Memorial Scholarship. This $1,000 scholarship was established in memory of the late Allen E. Tucker of Brighton, IL who was a highly respected and successful breeder of Registered Holstein dairy cattle. More importantly, his legacy was built on his dedication to the development of young people. He was also known for his willingness to share the knowledge he gained over a lifetime to help guide young people involved with registered Holsteins and the dairy industry. The Allen Tucker Memorial Scholarship is presented annually to an Illinois Jr. Holstein member who exemplifies the character and leadership displayed by Mr. Tucker and who is planning to pursue a career in the dairy industry.
Megan’s passion for the dairy industry began at a young age as she grew up helping on the family farm, Erbacres Holsteins. Working alongside family members, she was very involved in showing registered Holsteins at the local, state and national level. Her achievements include; twice World Dairy Expo “top 10” Senior Showmanship recipient, exhibitor of numerous champion and reserve champions at the state Holstein Show along with several Junior All-Illinois winners, and a Junior All-American nomination. In addition to involvement at Erbacres farm, her dairy expertise has also grown through her work experience at Great Northern Land & Cattle and at college.
Megan is currently attending University of Wisconsin–Madison where she is pursuing a BS degree in Dairy Science. She is a member of the UW Dairy Badger Club, Badger Dairy Challenge Team, Collegiate Farm Bureau, and Association of Women in Agriculture. She served in leadership roles on various committees, including Midwest Spring Show Showmanship Chair, 17th Badger Invitational Cattle Care Chair, collegiate Ag in the Classroom, and American Dairy Science Association Dairy Bowl team. Her leadership and school involvement carries over from her high school career where she was involved in several clubs, math team, varsity soccer, varsity basketball, marching band, National Honor Society, and Illinois State Scholar.
A fourteen year member of the IL Junior Holstein Association, Megan has been a part of many state Holstein activities including dairy quiz bowl, coordinator of fund raising events, and “Spring Thing”. She also serves as 2014-2015 state secretary and was a member of the IL team at the 2014 National Holstein Quiz Bowl competition. Megan truly exemplifies the character and leadership for which this scholarship was dedicated. She credits her family, uncles, aunts, and cousins for her Holstein experiences that have helped her to gain the experience and knowledge that will lead her into a very rewarding dairy career. Megan is the daughter of Kathleen and Bob Opperman.