May 8, 2026 — Top students from West Texas A&M University’s Department of Agricultural Sciences were celebrated at The Ag Gathering, the department’s annual year-end banquet.
The department, which is housed in the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, honored its students May 6 in the Piehl-Schaeffer Pavilion on WT’s Canyon campus.
“WT Ag students continue to raise the bar every year with their many outstanding accomplishments. It is truly incredible to witness the depth and consistency of our student achievements across all programs in the department,” said Dr. David Lust, department head. “This celebration showcases not just an individual highlight, or the success of a single program. It is an ongoing parade of University, regional, and national-level champions in one program after another. The collective achievements of our students in so many differing areas is impressive, humbling, special and rare.”
Two students—Eleanor Crouch, a senior animal science major from Bryan, and Abbigayle Smith, a junior agricultural media and communication major from Robert Lee—were presented Smallwood Leader Awards, which comes with a $1,000 scholarship. The award is named for Dr. Charles Smallwood, who was head of the Department of Agriculture from 1958 to 1978.
Selected as outstanding seniors in their respective programs were Montana Goodman, an agribusiness major from Canyon; Oaklynn Recker, an agricultural business and economics major from Andrews; Madelyn Ley, an agriculture major from Cañon City, Colorado; Emily Montgomery, an agriculture education major from Shallowater; Kaslyn Moczygemba, an agricultural media and communication major from Hobson; Helene Keiser, an animal science major from Gothenburg, Nebraska; Jordyn Matus, an animal science / pre-vet major from Cedar Creek; Lainey Konetzki, an equine industry and business major from Sheridan, Wyoming; and Landon Langenbau, a plant, soil and environmental science major from Canyon.
Bailey Lamb, a graduate student in animal science from Huntsville, was honored as Outstanding Graduate Student.
The department’s intern of the year is Baileigh Shaw, a senior agribusiness major from Frost.
The successful competitive teams throughout the department were recognized, as were members of the department’s active student organizations.
The Western elegance-themed event was organized by students in Agricultural Program and Event Planning, taught by Ellis Vidmar, instructor of agricultural media and communication and events coordinator for the department.
The banquet also recognized other top students in each undergraduate program:
Agribusiness: Cody-Paige Audrain, a sophomore from Stratford; Bella Bridges, a sophomore from Brownsboro; Kenzie Brossman, a sophomore from Cheyenne Wells, Colorado; Blas Cadena, a sophomore from Dimmitt; Haylee Freel, a sophomore from Mosca, Colorado; Justin Lerwick, a sophomore from Albin, Wyoming; and Kinsley Mayo, a sophomore from La Junta, Colorado.
Agricultural Business and Economics: Caroline Colten, a freshman from Paradise; Nelson Couch, a sophomore from Midland; Allison Dieringer, a freshman from Hallettsville; Landry Dukes, a sophomore from Wheeler; Callie Hinds, a sophomore from Campo, Colorado; Kaylea Marionneaux, a sophomore from Zachary, Louisiana; Noah Pelzel, a sophomore from Oak Point; Carson Smith, a sophomore from Simla, Colorado; Mikah Wareman, a freshman from Norwood, Colorado; and Lexi Wollert, a sophomore from Burlington, Colorado.
Agriculture: Colby Guerrero, a junior from Lockney; Grant Haynes, a sophomore from Clarendon; Mallory Jackson, a junior from Colby, Kansas; Elizabeth Rankin, a junior from El Dorado Hill, California; and Jaelyn Smith, a junior from Farwell.
Agriculture Education: Bethany Blackwell, a sophomore from Iowa Park; Cayden Hodnett, a junior from Lubbock; Landen Schertz, a junior from Anna; Dylan Stephens, a junior from Merkel; Kate Swan, a sophomore from Sanger; and Claudia Tepper, a junior from Wolfforth.
Agricultural Media and Communication: Tessa Ash, a sophomore from Lipscomb; Bailee Burnett, a sophomore from Iowa Park; Shaylee Edmiston, a sophomore from Mason; Maison Flory, a sophomore from Lawrence, Kansas; Caroline Langley, a sophomore from Hico; and Hannah Wages, a sophomore from Center.
Animal Science: Stone Beach, a sophomore from Shallowater; Lukas Busby, a sophomore from Pickton; Addie Criner, a sophomore from Coweta, Oklahoma; Ryder Day, a sophomore from Meadow; Ethan Hendrix, a sophomore from Stephenville; Kade Lawrence, a junior from Canyon; Lanie Rieter, a junior from Gainesville; Mila Thompson, a junior from Stratford; Calob Walker, a sophomore from Moody; and Avel Zermeno, a sophomore from Lubbock.
Animal Science / Pre-Vet: Emma Amato, a sophomore from Trinidad, Colorado; Mary Clevinger, a sophomore from Boyd; Armando Duarte, a sophomore from Canyon; Taylor Goin, a sophomore from Valley View; Chloe Jones, a freshman from Tulare, California; Mack Kimball, a freshman from Aledo; Seltz Kimball, a freshman from Aledo; Madeline Schickendanz, a junior from Perryton; Dericka Vaughn, a sophomore from Abilene; and Charli Wells, a junior from Holdrege, Nebraska.
Equine Industry and Business: Catherine Borchardt, a sophomore from Spring; Kennedy Hill, a freshman from Aledo; Elizabeth Iandoli, a freshman from Carmel Valley, California; Kailey Roberts, a freshman from Austin; Kurtlee Smith, a sophomore from Athens; and Avery Turner, a freshman from Pittsburg.
Plant, Soil and Environmental Sciences: Emily Dubose, a freshman from Katy; Taylee Ehlert, a sophomore from Leila Lake; Rowdy Gray, a freshman from Hagerman, New Mexico; Zachary Keith, a sophomore from Ralls; Hayden King, a sophomore from Howe; Bryce Richman, a sophomore from Katy; Thomas Sluder, a sophomore from Gainesville; and Noah Wood, a sophomore from Groom.
Spring commencement ceremonies are scheduled for May 15 and 16.
Recruiting, retaining and rewarding the best students is a key component of the University’s long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.
That plan is fueled by the One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which raised more than $200 million dollars, the largest such campaign in Texas Panhandle history.
