Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, [email protected]

CANYON, Texas — A plant, soil and environmental science major from Justin has been named Intern of the Year at West Texas A&M University.

Kylie Scott was honored Friday during a Zoom reception for her work at Corteva Agriscience’s Plainview Research Center. The award is designed to honor an outstanding student who has participated in an internship and exhibited unusual skills and/or made a significant contribution to their employer. These internship experiences are typically out-of-the ordinary, groundbreaking experiences.

As an integrated field sciences intern, Scott gained hands-on experience with field research techniques, witnessed challenges which threatened scientific progress and applied knowledge of water management with an independent research project, according to her application.

“This experience working with Corteva has set me up with the foundational knowledge to pursue a career in agricultural research and development,” Scott said. “I was genuinely so excited and surprised to receive this honor.”

She was awarded a $1,000 prize by Phillips 66 and will be submitted for the national Cooperative Education & Internship Association Academic Intern of the Year award.

Scott did her own research into genes that could help plant life survive in drought conditions, as well as field work, including singlehandedly repairing leaks in irrigation systems.

“This is not something we usually entrust to interns, as incorrectly repaired leaks will inevitably need to be revisited, and no one likes repairing a leak a second time,” wrote Corteva field scientist Scott Adair. “Leak repair involves being down on your knees in the mud with your arms elbow-deep in a hole that usually has water seeping into it. Kylie never flinched about getting down in the dirt to get the job done.”

Scott also was lauded for her initiative by her adviser, Dr. Brock Blaser, associate professor of plant science.

“She went above and beyond the internship expectations to ask questions and propose solutions. I know she performed extremely well in this internship, and it strengthened her desire to move on to graduate school,” Blaser wrote in a letter supporting Scott’s nomination. “Of the several thousand students I have taught in my career, and the few hundred I have personally advised, I do not hesitate to say that Kylie is in the top one percent.”

Scott, currently serving as WT student body vice president, was named to the President’s List for the Spring 2020 semester. She serves as Agronomy Club president from 2019 to 2021 and is a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Randall County master gardener intern. She plans to graduate in May 2021.

Twenty-six other students — all juniors, seniors or graduate students — applied for the Intern of the Year Award: Lee Baca, electrical engineering major from Canyon; Sadie Bow, agriculture media and communication major from Happy; Chase Brady, digital media major from Dumas; Gavin Ray Butz, criminal justice major from Billings, Mo.; Collin Cameron, public service and administration major from Universal City; Lucas Castro, biology major from Canyon; Wyatt L. Clark, agriculture business and economics major from Monte Vista, Colo.; Eve Duck, early childhood education major from Amarillo; Elizabeth Edwards, equine industry and business major from La Porte; Mari Ferrel, environmental science major from Farwell; Miguel A. Gutierrez, graphic design major from Dallas; Victoria Hernandez, public administration major from Amarillo; Melissa Hunt-Tolley, social work major from Amarillo; Alyssa Jenkins, pursuing a master’s of science in social work, from Amarillo; Madeline Kleinschmidt, business major from Kenai, Alaska; Lauren Kuehler, biology major from Groom; Kelsey F. Leseman, agriculture media and communication major from Canyon; Seth Murphree, agriculture business and economics major from Friona; Dakota Puga, business marketing major from Canyon; Jennifer Ramirez, mechanical engineering major from Canyon; Jorge Rojas, mechanical engineering major from Ecuador; Katelyn Taylor, plant soil and environmental sciences major from Pampa; Gloria R. Torres, corporate communication major from Slaton; Jairo Vazquez, business major from Turpin, Okla.; Ramey Walther, agricultural media and communication major from Decatur; and Matthew Webb, computer information systems major from Amarillo.

WT’s commitment to successful, resourceful students is a key component of the University’s long-term plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

About West Texas A&M University

WT is located in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. With enrollment of more than 10,000, WT offers 60 undergraduate degree programs, 38 master’s degrees and two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest’s finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 15 men’s and women’s athletics programs.