Alaska State Fair announces 2024 scholarship recipients

PALMER — The Alaska State Fair recently announced the 2024 scholarship recipients.

According to a press release, ASF awarded $8,000 in scholarships to six college-bound high school students across the state. ASF offers annual scholarships as a part of its mission to “educate and entertain.”

Scholarships are open to all Alaska junior and senior high school students who plan to attend college or vocational school.

The application period usually starts in January and runs through March with scholarships being awarded in May. Every student who submits an application receives two free admission tickets to the Fair.

A total of 65 students applied for scholarships from ASF this year, setting a new record for total applications. Fair officials indicated in the press release that this record setting number of applications highlighted the “need to support Alaska students in the pursuit of higher education.”

Elizabeth Djajalie of Juneau won first place with a $3,000 scholarship. Djajaliea is a senior at Thunder Mountain High School who plans to attend Stanford University to earn a bachelor’s degree that will allow her to pursue her “passion for STEM and society-oriented innovation.”

Sophia Harper of Wasilla won second place with a $2,000 scholarship. Harper is a senior at Mat-Su Middle College School who plans to attend the Colorado School of Mines to study electrical engineering.

According to the press release, Harper wrote about an idea for a new free activity that comes with Fair admission: FairQuest, a digital bingo/scavenger hunt game that would give fairgoers the opportunity to explore aspects of the Fair that could be overlooked while raising awareness for ASF vendors and Alaska women in agriculture.

“FairQuest has the potential to enrich the Fair experience for members of all ages, and become a staple event in the beloved Alaska State Fair,” Harper wrote in her essay.

Ty Harmon of Palmer won third place with a $1,500 scholarship. Harmon is a senior at Mat-Su Career Technical High School who plans to attend Utah State University.

Harmon wrote his essay about his experiences “Growing up at the Alaska State Fair” raising animals to show and sell at the Fair in addition to volunteering at the Fair petting zoo.

ASF officials stated in the press release that Harmon's essay “demonstrated his expertise and enthusiasm for Alaska’s fish and fishing industry, and explained his idea for a Fair booth, featuring a fish tank, methods of catching fish, a net-pulling simulator, and a fly tying demonstration.”

“I believe highlighting one of Alaska’s most awe inspiring and amazing natural resources will inspire kids and adults alike to appreciate and protect fishing in Alaska for years to come,” Harmon wrote in his essay.

Inga Peterson of Fort Wainwright won a $500 scholarship with the 4 H/FFA/Vendor Award. Peterson is a senior at FOCUS Homeschool who plans to enroll at the University of Alaska Fairbanks to pursue a career path in agriculture education or research.

Matthew Fleischhacker of Chugiak also won a $500 scholarship through the 4H/FFA/Vendor Award.

Fleischhacker plans to attend Delaware Valley University after graduating from Chugiak High School to earn a degree in horticulture with the goal of opening his own greenhouse, retail store, coffee shop, gardens, and art studio.

Mackenzie Betts of Chugiak won a $500 scholarship as an honorable mention. Betts is a senior at Chugiak High School and Alaska Middle College who plans to attend Colorado Mesa University to major in both criminal justice and Spanish while competing on the school’s rodeo team.

For more information, contact ASF director of community and corporate relations, Kelly Larson at 907-746-7164 or kelly@alaskastatefair.org.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com