Record Breaking New Year’s Eve Ag Gala

The annual Otero College Foundation New Year’s Eve Ag Gala was a “Night Under the Big Top” filled with a beef brisket dinner, live country music by The Kyle Alan Band, dancing, cash bar, door prizes, and live and silent auctions. With the help of 37 sponsors and numerous donated auction items, the Otero Agricultural Science Program and Foundation were able to raise just over $17,000 for the Agriculture Scholarships, making this the largest fundraiser yet! All proceeds from the Ag Gala benefit students majoring in Agricultural Science at Otero College through the Ag Premier Scholarship.

According to the Ag Gala chairman, Brooke Matthew, “The campus was full of fun as everyone rang in the 2023 year. The Otero Foundation and the Agriculture Program would like to thank all the amazing sponsors and donors. It would not be possible to offer the agriculture scholarship for Otero students if it was not for the support of the amazing Arkansas Valley community and especially the local agriculture industry.”

The Otero College Foundation developed the New Year’s Eve Ag Gala in 2012, to provide scholarships to students pursuing degrees in agriculture. The New Year’s Eve Ag Gala has raised $116,722.26 in scholarship dollars, from 2012 to 2021. It is through the Ag Gala that the Foundation has been able to provide scholarships to 50 different students, with seven students receiving the scholarship twice. In 2022-2023 academic year, students received $2,000 scholarships. The 2022-2023 Scholarship recipients are: Cord Proctor, Swink; Jacob Groves, Cheraw; Nathan Bregar, Pueblo; Olivia Woytiuk, Shell Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada; Talara Nittler, Kim; Rayana Hawks, Ordway; Jolie Bond, Rocky Ford; and Eryn Hoeffliger, Escondido, CA.

Scholarship recipient Jolie Bond stated, “I am very grateful for the support of the Ag Premier Scholarship as it has helped ease some of the financial stress that comes with getting a college education and allowed me to focus on my studies in agriculture business and communications. The support from the community and individuals for this event is appreciated by all students in the agricultural science department.”

The Otero Ag Program and Foundation is grateful for all the 2022 Ag Gala sponsors and their contributions.

1. Platinum sponsors include: First National Bank, Leininger Ranch, LPL Financial, Pipeyard, Southeast Colorado Power/SECOM, Southeast Health Group/Coffee Break Project, The State Bank, and Welch Cattle Company.
2. Gold sponsors include: Wallace Oil Company, Matthew Farms, ABC Title, Antelope Mesa, Ordway Cattle Feeders, 4 Rivers Equipment, Winter Livestock, and 007 Cattle.
3. The Silver sponsors include: La Junta Livestock, Crowder Ranch, Jake & Kristi Mayo, Broce’s Well Service, Darrel & Angie Hoss, Hall/Hinkle Family, Ark Valley Animal Hospital, SODEXO, Farm Credit of Southern Colorado, and Arkansas Valley Coop.
4. Turquoise sponsors include: SECO Ranch Planning, Dr. Tim Alvarez, Bruce & Kandi Nittler, Anchor Feeds, Bear Springs Ranch, Wade & Linsay Sumpter, Rusler Implement, Ricken Land & Cattle, Roger & Dale Davis.
5. Other sponsors: Dave & Almabeth Kaess and Toby Kandt.
6. Auction item donors: Scaff Brothers, Ron Davis, Hidden Hive, Cowgirl Outpost, Gayle Eveatt, Otero International Office, Otero Rodeo Team, Kristy Mayo, Southeast Health Group, Sheridan Honey, Mr. & Mrs. Bob Fowler, John & Laurie Bosco, Bonnie Rosser and Barb Leininger.

The continuous support and donations are invaluable, and we look forward to seeing everyone at the Ag Gala on New Year’s Eve in 2023.The scholarship deadline for the agriculture scholarship is April 1, 2023. For more information about how to contribute to Agriculture Scholarships, visit www.otero.edu or by directly contacting Otero Foundation Director, Dillon Martin at 719-384-6890, Dillon.Martin@otero.edu.