Adelee Grace Dillon, a senior at the University of Tennessee, and recent Robert L. Patton High School graduate Ellie Shuping were awarded Edith Vanderbilt Youth Livestock Endowment scholarships during the opening weekend of the N.C. Mountain State Fair.
This endowment is in honor of Edith Vanderbilt, a pioneer force in Western N.C. who supported youth development and agricultural education. The endowment provides financial assistance of $1,000 for young people pursuing higher education who have participated in the N.C. Mountain State Fair’s livestock shows. Students must be currently enrolled in an accredited college, university or technical school. Recipients are selected based on a 100-point system that includes academic achievement, a livestock experience resume, an essay on career goals, a general resume and local residency. Recipients may be awarded the endowment a maximum of four times over their academic career.
Adelee Grace Dillon
• Addie’s ambition to pursue a major in animal science stems from a lifelong passion ignited by her involvement with two 4-H show lambs at the age of seven. This marks Addie’s 13th year showing lambs at the N.C. Mountain State Fair.
• By showing livestock, Addie has learned the fundamentals of responsibility but also gained insight into the intricate science behind raising high-quality market animals.
• At the age of 10, Addie became involved with livestock judging, honing her ability to discern quality livestock and articulate her decisions through critical thinking—an experience that further fueled her interest in animal science.
• In 2024, she was Senior Champion of the University of Tennessee Block and Bridle and the Southern Livestock Exposition Livestock judging competitions. Addie is a member of the UT Block and Bridle Club, Collegiate 4-H and FFA Club.
• Addie enjoys sharing her passion for raising, showing and judging livestock with other youth. She has served as a mentor for the N.C. Leap Into Sheep Program as well as to numerous other young sheep show participants. She aspires to become an official judge where she can continue to support and encourage other youth in the show ring.
• At the University of Tennessee, Addie is pursuing an animal science degree while remaining actively engaged in livestock judging and shows.
Ellie Shuping
• Ellie graduated from Robert L. Patton High School in May 2025. During her time in high school, she was a dedicated student-athlete, serving as a varsity softball captain for two years and maintaining the academic excellence required to be a member of the National Honor Society.
• She also held a leadership position as Vice President of the Anchor Club, where she contributed to many community service initiatives.
• Outside of school, she co-founded along with her sister Hanging with Ewe, a non-profit designed to provide children with special needs the opportunity to learn how to show sheep in a supportive and inclusive environment.
• Ellie is deeply involved in livestock showing, both raising and exhibiting sheep and cattle. Her passion for agriculture extends to leadership roles within the industry. She serves as treasurer of the North Carolina Junior Angus Association and is an active member of the National Junior Angus Association.
• This fall she is attending Western Piedmont Community College to obtain credit hours towards her bachelors degree in Poultry Science. In January, she will be moving to Raleigh and attending N.C. State University.