JOHNSTON CITY -- Cade Cockburn has made a name for himself in the world of goats.
Now, the Johnston City High School senior is taking that reputation to the next level.
Cockburn is one of 29 high school seniors to be awarded a $2,000 scholarship from Farm Credit of Illinois.
He can add that to his previous award, the SIU Chancellor's Scholarship, noted as "SIU's most prestigious award," by Chancellor Austin A. Lane in a Mar. 2 article from the SIU News Service.
That scholarship will provide Cockburn with tuition, fees, room and board for four years.
Cockburn was one of only 34 recipients in a field of around 450 applicants.
"I'm excited," said Cockburn, a JCHS valedictorian with a perfect 4.0 average, something he's maintained since the 6th grade.
Cockburn plans to major in Animal Science, not surprising, since he has quite a background already in the agriculture industry in the Midwest.
The owner of "Cade's Lil Farm," Cockburn raises Nigerian Dwarf goats. He averages 60 at any given time, but has had as many as 80 when kids are on the ground.
Already having worked on his own herd, breeding to produce structurally sound animals for the show ring as well as those that are productive, Cockburn hopes to specialize in animal production.
"Someday I think I would like to be an animal nutritionist," he said, explaining that it entails developing feeding regimens for farms. "Other times I think I might like to be a professor."
He knows, though, that his education at SIU will provide opportunities to explore the world of agriculture that has become a part of his life for the past decade.
"It's a great opportunity," said his mom, Channa, a teacher at JCHS. "He's going to be able to do more of his passion with animals than what has been available to him so far."
Cockburn has excelled in several areas at JCHS including being a student government leader, National FFA Organization, and the George R. Kee Chapter of the National Honor Society.
However, the opportunity to focus on his love for the animal industry is something he describes as "exciting."
His mom agrees.
"I've seen a new excitement in him after meeting and being around other kids his age who share his interests," she said. "Of course I'm proud, but I'm really excited to see him find his niche in the agriculture field."
