Maggie Polk, will be a 2023 Pleasant Hope High School graduate in Pleasant Hope, Mo. She will attend Ozark Technical College for pre-requisite classes and then enter the Veterinary Technician program at Crowder Community College in Neosho, Mo.

Maggie developed a passion for agriculture early on and has been an active member of her FFA Chapter. She has served as her Chapter Parliamentarian and Historian. Throughout her high school FFA experiences, she has earned the Greenhand Award, SAE Proficiency Awards, a top female fundraiser for National Convention, and her State FFA Degree.

Maggie's passion for animals comes from being raised on a farm with cattle and horses. She personally owns livestock and provides care for those animals.

Her future goals are to apply her academic knowledge on her own farm and work in a veterinary clinic.

Maggie is the daughter of MAWD Member Tracy Keithley.

Jennifer Hinkle will be a 2023 graduate of Knox County High School in Edina, Mo. She will be attending the University of Missouri-Columbia in the fall and will be pursuing a degree in Business Administration.

Jen has developed a passion for leadership over the past several years and has been an active member of Future Business Leaders of America. She serves as National Honor Society Vice-President, is a member of the Spanish Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. A decorated athlete, Jen has learned the importance of focusing on the needs of a team while working to improve individual performance.

Letters of Recommendation state that Jen is an excellent student who isn’t afraid to take classes that challenge her. She sets high standards for herself and works hard to meet them. Jen is willing to put in the effort needed to accomplish her goals and is driven to do her very best.

Jen’s long-term goal is to create a personal brand, stating “I get to advertise and market it, come up with my own logo and slogan, and I can express myself through it.”

Jennifer is the daughter of MAWD Member Kim Hinkle.

Ava Roderick is a 2021 Rock Bridge High School graduate in Columbia, Mo. She is currently attending the University of Missouri-Columbia, seeking degrees in psychology and philosophy.

Ava’s passion for psychology and philosophy has grown over the past several years, but it has been her coursework in Social Development in Childhood and Ancient Western Philosophy that has encouraged her to pursue a career in developmental psychology with her ultimate career goal of research and counseling in family and peer interactions.

Ava has been involved in the Discover and Undergraduate Research Programs for Psychology Majors. She has served as an ambassador of the Discover Program, which inspired her to get involved in the data transcription and coding of sibling and peer interactions research program. Not only are educational opportunities a top priority for Ava, but she has made significant contributions

in other involvements, namely, by working towards building a stronger community amongst the individual members of her workplace and the acrobatic gymnastics team. Her experience on the Columbia Acro and Tumbling Team and a Patient IQ team at the Missouri Orthopedic Institute has allowed her to gain insight into how those within a group can work together and lean on each other in

times of need while working towards achieving a common goal. Ava’s ability to utilize her skills and strengths allows her to help foster a sense of trust and establish tight-knit bonds, which are key personal skills in the field of psychology.

Ava is the daughter of MAWD Member Keith Roderick.