Penn State Student Named Shinoda Foundation Scholar of the Year

Jennifer Zurko

The Shinoda Foundation has awarded its highest honor, the Shinoda Scholar of the Year, to Mikaela Hermstedt, a Horticulture major at The Pennsylvania State University.

“Future growers like Mikaela embody our industry’s potential,” said Bob Otsuka, president of the Shinoda Foundation. “It’s our privilege to help support that passion.”

Mikaela, a 21-year-old senior from Lincoln, Delaware, plans to pursue a career in commercial greenhouse production of flowering plants. One professor recommending her for the award noted, “I would rank Mikaela as one of my top students in the past 10 years at Penn State in terms of work ethic, but also in terms of attention to detail, cooperative spirit and excellent communication skills.”

Mikaela has worked in the Penn State botany greenhouses and completed a Nursery Management Internship at Longwood Gardens. In addition, she has served as Collegiate FFA President, Agricultural Student Council President, International Association of Agricultural Students Treasurer and as a Student Organization Resource Team Member. She has received numerous academic honors and scholarships.

The Shinoda Foundation Board of Trustees awarded six scholarships this year totaling $17,000 plus 10% grants to colleges and universities of $1,700, for a total of nearly $19,000. Since 1965, The Shinoda Foundation has awarded more than $826,250 in scholarships to 673 students. GT