Ag-Arama True Grit Award
The most coveted of all awards presented at Ag-Arama, the True Grit Award is dedicated to Todd Opsahl, a student in 1973-74. Most of the students and faculty around Todd did not know that he was suffering from terminal leukemia, a disease that took his life shortly after he left college.
Despite this condition, Todd was extremely active in campus activities, especially in the Agriculture Division where he studied Animal Science.
In his remembrance, the True Grit Award is presented annually to the student who best demonstrated the spirit of Todd Opsahl in active participation and in encouraging others to participate.
Past Recipients...
Award Recipients
2022
Sam McGregor
2021
Grace Ruckheim
2020
Emma Bliss
2019
TBA
2018
Ashley Rohr, Long Prairie, MN
2017
Aaron Bengtson, Battle Lake, MN
2016
Luke Lundeby, Osnabrock, ND
2015
Dylan Pratt, Clarissa, MN
2014
Victoria Martin, Worland, WY
2013
Matthew Green, Greenbush, MN
2012
Samantha Lahman, Parker's Prairie, MN
2011
Amanda Thorsvig, Detroit Lakes, MN
2010
Desiree Severance, New York Mills, MN
2009
Kari Hendrickx, New York Mills, MN
2008
Craig Roerick, Upsala, MN
2007
Kelli Pulford, Richville, MN, Thor Vettleson, Trail, MN., and Gretchen Smeby, Grygla, MN
2006
Alison Stone, Lakeville, MN
2005
Josh Johnson, Hoffman, MN
2004
Karen Ballou, Barnum, MN
2003
Bill Rinkenberger, Fosston, MN
2002
Angie Pommerening, Oakdale, MN
2001
Barb Heinze, Elrosa, MN
2000
Bonnie Haehnel, Motley, MN
1999
Natalie Foltz, Callaway, MN
1998
Angie Roering, Sauk Centre, MN
1997
Julie Jean Schermerhorn, New York Mills, MN
1996
Heather Pohlmeier, Hutchinson, MN
1995
Roberta Shepard, Lester Prairie, MN
1994
Peggy Kruize, Elbow Lake, MN
1993
Nathan Benesh, Crookston, MN
1992
James Kruize, Elbow Lake, MN
1991
Janie Knott, Red Lake Falls, MN
1990
Andy "Stormy" Bates, Red Lake Falls, MN
1989
Theresa Skibicki, Red Lake Falls, MN
1988
Patty Jo Aanerud, Waubun, MN
1987
Rob Larson, Bagley, MN
1986
Shelly Sime, Grand Rapids, MN
1985
Tammy Severts, Gatzke, MN
1984
Barb Lind, Carlton, MN
1983
Shelly Nielsen, Madelia, MN
1982
Dayna Denn, Cold Springs, MN
1981
Roy Bell, Motley, MN and Steve Rinkenberger, Fosston, MN
1980
Sid Henagin, Onamia, MN & Jon Aakre, Rollag, MN
1979
Vicki Janisch, Emo, Ontario, Canada
1978
Scott Bjornson, West Fargo, ND
1977
Glenn Fladmark, Pelican Rapids, MN
1976
Jeff Kratochwill, Blaine, MN