CME Group Announces $50,000 In Scholarships To Illinois State Fair Grand Champions

CME Group, the world's leading and most diverse derivatives marketplace, has presented one-time scholarships totaling $50,000 to the Illinois State Fair's Grand Champion student exhibitors. CME Group Executive Chairman and President Terry Duffy presented the surprise scholarships of $5,000 to each student exhibiting Grand Champion livestock at last night's Governor's Auction of Champions and will be used for each student to further their education.

"These scholarships are just another way to show our support for the future farmers and ranchers in Illinois who are vital to our state, the national economy and play an important role in feeding the world," said Duffy. "The talent and commitment of the students participating in 4-H and competing at these fairs is impressive. And at CME Group, we are honored to help them further their education."

Recipients of the CME Group scholarships were:

Morgan Wilderman, Greenville IL
Jacob Hinshaw, Secor IL
Carlee Critchelow, Chandlerville IL
Skylynn Flemming, Paxton IL
Cole Ellerbrock, Atkinson, IL
Trace Titus, Alexis IL
Grant Kiefer, Gridley, IL
Dylan McCafferty, Sherman IL
Taylor Donelson, Clinton IL
A.J. Line, Seaton IL

The scholarships were awarded as part of CME Group's ongoing educational efforts, including the third consecutive year of its partnership with the National 4-H Council, the country's largest youth development organization to educate children about the economics of agriculture. Together they bring the popular, award-winning Commodity Carnival experience to state and county fairs across the country - reaching over 100,000 youth to date. The Commodity Carnival is an interactive and educational game about the business of agriculture and teaches young fairgoers how to manage the costs and risks associated with bringing an animal to market. Beyond the fairgrounds and throughout the year, the Commodity Carnival mobile app, Risk Ranch, enables people of all ages to try their hand at agricultural risk management from their mobile devices, as well as online.