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Peoria resident wins college scholarship from Arizona Milk Producers

BY PEORIA TIMES STAFF

A Peoria resident has won a college scholarship from the Arizona Milk Producers annual contest, demonstrating the overall importance of milk and dairy.

Louie Crabtree snagged second place in the “Cream of the Crop” annual College Scholarship Contest from the nonprofit organization. The high school graduate has been awarded a scholarship in the amount of $6,000. The contest requires high school students to create a 30-second video demonstrating their love of milk and dairy and the role it plays in their daily lives.

“Each year we are amazed by the talents and drive that our students exhibit, pushing through adversity in pursuit of their dreams,” Arizona Milk Producers Communications Manager Cindy Swansiger said. “It’s an honor to be a small part of all who have entered in this year’s program.”

Arizona Milk Producers is a nonprofit promotion, communication and nutrition education organization working on behalf of Arizona dairy farmers to increase dairy sales, foster innovation, and inspire consumer confidence in dairy products and practices. Arizona Milk Producers, together with Dairy Council of Arizona, works on behalf of farmers to share the nutrition and farm-to-table story of local dairy.

Crabtree’s story involves a love of theater, in which he will continue to pursue at Grand Canyon University.

It was Crabtree’s mom who saw the scholarship contest on Facebook, knowing it fit her son like a glove. Not only does Crabtree love drama, but milk is his guiding light. His friends even gave him gallons of milk for his 16th birthday.

According to Crabtree, “My grandpa used to say, ‘If you want to be a superhero you have to drink your milk.’”

Two other students were also awarded scholarships.

First place went to Chris Ruiz of Tucson. Ruiz will be the first college-bound student in his family. The aspiring doctor describes himself as the son of religious immigrant parents. He has spent his time at Sunnyside High School in programs such as EMS and biotechnology.

He has gained licensing in basic life support and Heart Saver First Aid, as well as award-winning licensed nursing assistant and has his EMT certification from programs at accredited colleges. Ruiz will also soon gain his certified nurse assistant certification.

Ruiz’s $8,000 scholarship will go toward his college education at the University of Arizona this August, where he will study medicine.

“I experienced an epiphany that my future resided in medicine,” Ruiz said. “Furthermore, I dedicated my life to the welfare of others currently through academia and community outreach.”

Ruiz attributes his grandmother as his inspiration for his love of milk. She always gave him café con leche.

Third place went to Alexis Carreon, a student at Sahuarita High School in Sahuarita. She was awarded $4,000 to help pursue her dreams of medicine at University of Arizona.StarTimes_fall_parent.pdf 1 4/12/21 12:02 PM

She is a graduate of the Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps Leadership Academy. Carreon is a battalion commanding officer in the Sahuarita NJROTC program of 171 students.

The 2021-22 fall scholarship contest will launch in early September.

Visit arizonamilk.org for more details.