Natalie Foltz of Callaway was the recipient of the 1999 True Grit Award at the 23rd annual University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC) Ag-Arama which was held recently at the University Teaching and Outreach Complex.

The True Grit Award is the most coveted of all awards in Ag-Arama. It is dedicated to Todd Opsahl, a student in 1973-74. Most of the students and faculty around Opsahl did not know that he was suffering from terminal leukemia, a disease that took his life shortly after he left college. Despite this condition, Opsahl 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 students who best demonstrate the spirit of Opsahl in active participation and in encouraging others to participate.

Students, alumni, faculty, staff and community members tested their skills in a wide variety of games and contest held at the University Teaching and Outreach Center on the campus. The two-day event concluded with a dance at the Crookston VFW.

This year’s Ag-Arama was dedicated to Greg Zak of Angus MN. UMC faculty advisor was Paul Aakre of Angus MN.

Posted 03/12/99 by Andrew Svec
Author and Contact: Barbara Weiler, 218-281-8435