Amarillo Students Shine With New Scholarships and Community Wins

In March, two students from Potter County earned scholarships from Oklahoma State University’s Ferguson College of Agriculture for the 2026‑27 year. Maddie Barnett, who studies Animal Science, was awarded the Joseph Fleming Memorial Continuing Scholarship and later joined Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest honor society. Lainey McCubbin also pursued Animal Science and received the Clyde R. Evans Annual Scholarship. The awards were presented at a banquet held on March 26, highlighting the students’ academic achievements and the generosity of alumni donors. The Ferguson College is a hub for agricultural education, offering 16 majors and more than 60 student groups. Its programs help students grow intellectually while preparing them for careers in farming, research and related fields. The college’s scholarships are part of a larger $1. 8 million support package that students can combine with other departmental and university honors.Beyond campus, Amarillo is buzzing with events that boost local talent and community service. The upcoming Spring Job Fair on April 7 will host over 80 employers, giving residents a chance to meet hiring managers face‑to‑face. Meanwhile, the city’s VA health system is launching a mobile food pantry for veterans on April 18 to tackle food insecurity among those who served. In the realm of public safety, Canyon Police Captain Matthew Coggins has been accepted into the FBI National Academy—a prestigious 10‑week leadership program in Virginia. The academy trains officers in advanced law‑and‑order skills, and Coggins plans to bring new ideas back to his community. Other highlights include a Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers award for local extension agent Marcel Fischbacher, and the launch of a micro‑grant program by the Old Route 66 Association to help small businesses along the historic highway improve their storefronts. These initiatives show how Amarillo’s residents and institutions collaborate to support education, economy, and community well‑being.