(NewsUSA) - The stakes were high at the Illinois State Fair this year with a herd of young farmers ready to showcase their hard work and expertise in the agricultural industry. 

As the world’s leading derivatives marketplace, CME Group is committed to the education of future market participants so they can manage their business risks throughout their careers. For the 10th consecutive year, CME Group awarded a $5,000 scholarship to each Grand Champion livestock exhibitor. Additionally, the company recognized each Illinois 4-H Skillathon champion with a $1,000 scholarship. Over the past decade, CME Group has contributed more than $500,000 to advance the education of young Illinois farmers and ranchers.

“We are incredibly proud of this next generation of producers and are honored to support them as they further their education of and passion for agriculture," said John Ricci, Global Head of Agricultural Products at CME Group. “This community is vital to our business, and we remain committed to developing the students who will feed the world and advance our global economy.”

The 2025 Grand Champion scholarship recipients were: Kadie Hummel (Kankakee County), John Lukach (LaSalle County), Trevor Rhoads (DeKalb County), Ashley Wiegand (Woodford County), Bryce Clayton (Scott County), Olive Ryan (Christian County), Maddox Horner (Jasper County), Austin Ater (Champaign County) and Conner Robinson (Morgan County).

The 2025 Skillathon scholarship winners, out of a record 63 participants, were: Gracie Walker (Hamilton County), Preston Howell (DeWitt County), Addison Tebbe (Clinton County), Abby Wamsley (Christian County), Olivia Quertermous (Johnson County), Deacon Shanks (Christian County), Luke Short (Christian County), Jollie Johnson (Henderson County) and Kalen Setterdahl (Knox County). 

Image Caption (names left to right): Ashley Wiegand, Conner Robinson, John Lukach, Bryce Clayton, Austin Ater, Trevor Rhoads, Maddox Horner, Kadie Hummel, Olive Ryan