The Offutt Family Foundation is honored to announce the recipients of this year’s Connelly/Kreps Memorial Scholarship.
RDO team members and leaders mark each graduation season with an annual scholarship program celebrating the legacies of Mark Kreps and Steve Connelly, RDO leaders who left an indelible mark on the company.
An independent scholarship committee selects the recipients, assessing applicants based on qualities that Steve and Mark exemplified. These include a strong entrepreneurial spirit, dedication to hard work through various activities and jobs and a commitment to serving and leading others.
Read more about the 2026 Connelly/Kreps Memorial Scholarship recipients below.
Sophia Holm
Parent: Tiffaney Holm, Director of Learning and Development, Fargo, North Dakota
Pursuing a Nursing Degree at University of North Dakota
Sophia plans to attend the University of North Dakota to pursue a degree in Nursing. Her interest in healthcare began in middle school and continued to grow as she explored different specialties through job shadowing and hands‑on programs, including experiences in pediatric oncology, ambulance ride‑alongs and hospital procedures.
Along the way, Sophia gained valuable experience working as a Certified Nursing Assistant and at a daycare, where she learned the importance of patience and meeting people where they are. Personal experiences with cancer within her family further shaped her interest in nursing, especially in pediatric oncology. As she looks ahead, Sophia is excited to continue learning and work toward a career where she can support patients and families during some of life’s most challenging moments.
Quinn Faller
Parent: Deanna Faller, Sales Coordinator, Moorhead, Minnesota
Pursuing a Criminology Degree at University of North Dakot
Quinn has always been curious about unanswered questions and the stories behind them. What started as watching true crime shows with her mom grew into a genuine interest in criminology and understanding how communities seek clarity in difficult situations.
Through theater, choir and involvement in a family‑led charity supporting welding scholarships, Quinn has built strong leadership and communication skills. This fall, she’ll attend the University of North Dakota and is motivated by the chance to serve her community while following a path rooted in curiosity and purpose.
Andrew Watkins \
Parent: Josh Watkins, Field Service Technician, Phoenix, Arizona
Pursuing a degree in Health Science from Northern Arizona University
Andrew is pursuing a degree in health science at Northern Arizona University and plans to build a career in physical therapy. His interest grew through a Physical Therapy Technician program and was further shaped by experiencing rehabilitation firsthand.
During high school, Andrew held leadership roles in DECA and HOSA and served as a team captain for both football and basketball. He also gained valuable experience working in construction and customer service, where he developed a strong work ethic and appreciation for teamwork and responsibility. Andrew looks forward to supporting others through recovery and helping improve quality of life through his future work in healthcare.
Makayla Saude
Parent: Gabe Saude, Parts Specialist, Moorhead, Minnesota
Pursuing an Electrical Engineering Degree from North Dakota State College of Science
Makayla is pursuing an Electrical Engineering degree at the North Dakota State College of Science, building on a four‑generation family legacy in the electrical trade. Some of her earliest memories include helping her grandfather on projects, learning firsthand the responsibility and precision the work requires.
Drawn to problem solving and the challenge of a field where she can continuously prove herself, Makayla is eager to develop the technical skills needed for a reliable, long‑term career. She looks forward to working in an industry that values craftsmanship, adaptability and hard work while continuing to carve out her own path in a traditionally male‑dominated field.
Kiera Wiertzema
Parent: Daniel Wiertzma, Service Operations Manager, Breckenridge, Minnesota
Pursuing a Speech Language Pathology Degree from North Dakota State College of Science
Kiera is an aspiring Speech‑Language Pathologist with an interest in helping others communicate and connect. Drawn to working with children from an early age, she discovered Speech‑Language Pathology after observing how meaningful one‑on‑one support can be for students facing communication challenges.
She plans to attend the North Dakota State College of Science to begin her studies, building on her academic focus and involvement in school and community activities. Kiera is excited to continue learning more about communication across all stages of life and to work toward a career that allows her to support others in intentional ways.
Wyatt Vining
Parent: Lee Vining, Field Service Technician, Kindred, North Dakota
Pursuing a Diesel Technology degree from North Dakota State College of Science
Wyatt is pursuing a Diesel Technology degree, building on a lifetime of being around agriculture and equipment. Growing up with a father who works as a John Deere technician, he developed an early appreciation for the skill and problem‑solving it takes to keep machinery running and farms moving.
Over the past several years, Wyatt has worked alongside a local farmer, gaining experience with equipment repair, maintenance and parts coordination. Those experiences, along with time spent working directly with an RDO parts department, reinforced his interest in a career as a technician. Wyatt looks forward to continuing his training, learning new technology and staying connected to the agricultural community he knows so well.
Arely Olguin
Parent: Claudia Vargas, Service Manager, Laredo, Texas
Pursuing a Public Health degree from Texas A&M International
Arely plans to attend Texas A&M International University, where she will study public health with the goal of becoming a Physician Assistant. Her interest in healthcare grew from personal experiences in her community and a desire to help ensure that everyone has access to quality care, regardless of their background.
While in high school, Arely completed an Early College program and was involved in MCJROTC, earning more than 600 hours of community service. Through volunteering and leadership experiences, she learned the value of showing up for others and leading by example. As she looks ahead to college, Arely is excited to build a strong academic foundation and give back to communities like the one that shaped her.
Greta Verkuilen
Parent: Drew Sandberg, Data Scientist, Fargo, North Dakota
Pursuing a Professional Flight degree from Arizona State University's Polytechnic campus.
Greta is pursuing a degree in professional flight at Arizona State University’s Polytechnic campus. Her interest in aviation began at a young age, inspired by listening to her dad’s stories from his time working as an Air Force aircraft mechanic and his experiences supporting real‑world missions.
Last summer, Greta took a discovery flight in Grand Forks and quickly fell in love with flying. She is currently working toward her Private Pilot’s License and enjoys the challenge and excitement that comes with each new certification. Alongside her flight studies, Greta plans to complete a second degree in Spanish, a language she has studied since kindergarten. As she looks ahead to college and beyond, Greta is excited to keep learning, traveling and inspiring other young women to see what’s possible in aviation.
RDO Equipment Co.
Founded in 1968, RDO Equipment Co. sells and supports intelligently connected agriculture, construction, environmental, irrigation, positioning, and surveying equipment from leading manufacturers, including John Deere, Vermeer, and Topcon. With more than 80 locations across the U.S. and partnerships in Africa, Australia, Mexico and Ukraine, we deliver creative solutions so our customers can grow and build the world.
