Carrying Forward Sam's Legacy Through Opportunity and Hard Work
Created by Sam's family, this scholarship honors his legacy, love for agriculture, and passion for working with his hands. It supports students pursuing a future in ag mechanics through the John Deere Technician Program.
The Sam Christensen Legacy Memorial Scholarship was created by his family as an enduring legacy
Sam Christensen, born Samuel Paul Christensen on May 25, 1999 in Omaha, NE, passed away in a tragic tractor accident on June 1, 2022 near Dodge, NE.
Sam's life and his life together with Taylor Christensen was cut short, the two having been married only 9 months before the accident. Sam loved spending time with his new wife Taylor and their rescued Australian Shepherd / Border Collie mix, Newbie. Sam and Taylor loved having regular date nights, country music concerts, and the roar of live tractor pulls.
Sam graduated from Omaha Benson High School in 2017. His interests there included the golf team and robotics Team — even placing in the top ten and earning a spot / participating in the International Robotics Competition. After highschool, he attended Southeast Community College at Milford and studied Ag Diesel Mechanics. Sam went on to work for the John Deere dealership in Missouri Valley, IA and in March of 2021 began working for Platte Valley Equipment in Fremont, NE.
Sam was a city kid, yet very much a farm kid at heart. He had dreams of becoming a farmer one day. He grew up helping his uncle and cousin farm and absolutely loved working with his hands. Sam was constantly on the lookout for his next restoration project after he rebuilt his dad's red '56 Ford pickup. On the day Sam passed, he had called his uncle earlier to share the exciting news of just buying his "dream tractor" — a 4020. Sam, as a city kid, always dreamed of being a farmer and he could fix anything.
Eligibility
Candidate must be enrolled or enrolling in John Deere Technician Program at Southeast Community College, Milford, Nebraska OR Lake Area Technician College, Watertown, South Dakota, and seeking sponsorship from Platte Valley Equipment. To be considered for this scholarship opportunity, you must first complete the online application below to the Sam Christensen Legacy Memorial Scholarship. Applications are open now through November 30, 2024.
2024 AWARD
One individual award for $1,000, payable to the academic institution as to which they are enrolled will be awarded in December of 2024. A scholarship committee will notify the winner of the scholarship of the award end of December 2024.