Annually, Eastern States Exposition’s (ESE) Board of Trustees recognizes academic and agricultural excellence among youths across New England that have a hand in ESE’s programs. This year’s recipients from Connecticut are Rebecca Syme and Alexandra Garlick. The $3,000 scholarships were presented by Interim-Dean of the University of Connecticut’s (UConn) College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources: Storrs Agricultural Experiment Station, Kumar Venkitanarayanan, PhD.
Attendees included ESE President and CEO Gene Cassidy; UConn’s Associate Dean of Academic Programs, Kristen Govoni; the Syme family; the Garlick family; ESE Director of the State of Conn., Richard Roberts; and the organization’s trustees from Conn.
Bonnie Burr, Department Head and Assistant Director of UConn’s College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources and ESE Trustee, said, “These scholarships always go to UConn students to honor former UConn Dean Wilfred B. Young and string UConn supporters Lee Marsh and Charlie Stroh, all of whom served on the ESE Board of Trustees and helped propel agriculture forward. These are two of the most important awards given in our college. They also acknowledge all the time that the UConn 4-H staff contribute to running the programs in ESE’s Agriculture and Education offices.”
“These scholarships and the programs at Eastern States Exposition reinforce the belief that the higher education of our young people will benefit the long-term economy of our region,” said Venkitanarayanan.
“A generous 44.6% of attendees at The Big E come from Connecticut,” said Cassidy. “I am willing to bet that there is no other land grant college that celebrates excellence in another state and awards scholarships there, but Eastern States Exposition is unique in its out-of-state representation as a multi-state event. The goal of our founder, Joshua Loring Brooks, was to promote the land grant colleges in the pursuit of agricultural greatness. In alignment with this, Eastern States Exposition aims to drive markets, educate people and promote the businesses that make it possible.”
The undergraduate scholarship was given to Rebecca Syme, a senior enrolled in the UConn College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources. She majors in natural resources and the environment with a concentration in water resources and climate. She and her family own Syme Family Farm in Broad Brook, Conn., where sustainability and precision agricultural practices drive management decisions around their horticulture enterprises, including cut flowers, bedding plants and Christmas trees.
At school, Syme is president of the UConn Dairy Club and active in both the Block & Bridle Club and the Woodsmen Team. She is a 12-year member of the Hartford County 4-H Program and serves as a junior advisor and former president for the Hartford County 4-H Fair Association. She helped create a video starring ESE President and CEO Gene Cassidy that discussed the opportunities the fair industry provides for young people to thrive with careers in project management and business. She has shown in beef and dairy shows at ESE, including during The Big E, the Northeast Spring Dairy Show in April and the Big East Beef Show in May. During the Fair this year, she showed her Shorthorn beef cattle in the Mallary Complex.
The graduate student scholarship was awarded to Alexandra Garlick of Groton, Conn. She is earning her master’s degree in animal science with a concentration in food microbiology and food safety. Her formative years shaped her global perspective and commitment to service.
In high school, Garlick lived in a military base in Okinawa, Japan, and volunteered at a Japanese cat rescue where she arranged veterinary treatment. When she returned to the United States, she expanded her skills and knowledge base with hands-on experience. She interned at Atlantic Animal Hospital as well as the Westerly Animal Shelter. At both sites, she assisted with medical examinations, surgeries, performed blood collection and administered preventative care for companion animals.
Garlick’s journey in animal science has been defined by academic excellence, leadership and community service. As an undergraduate student at the University of Rhode Island, she earned two bachelor’s degrees—one in animal science and the other in biology with a minor in wildlife and conservation biology. Her educational achievements reflect not only her intellect and determination but also her passion for advancing the fields of animal health and agricultural sciences.
Cassidy said to the recipients, “The impact that you have on agriculture is consequential and should be celebrated. Though entertainment is huge, we are mission driven, and we drive agriculture. Beyond the bright lights of our entertainment is the beating heart of our cause: agriculture. Moreover, it is you,” he continued, gesturing to Syme and Garlick. “The horsepower that we create is never enough, but all your efforts add to it and make it good. Tonight, we celebrate UConn’s agricultural program.”
In acknowledging and rewarding the hard work of students, ESE hopes to support and sustain the rising generation of agriculturists. Congratulations to Syme and Garlick.