(La Porte County, IN) - A scholarship named after the late founder of Pioneer Land at the La Porte County Fairgrounds has been awarded.  Zoey Parrett-Hock is this year’s recipient of the $1,000 scholarship. 

Parrett-Hock is presently a student at Purdue University studying pre-agricultural and biological engineering.  The former 10 year member of 4-H youth program was presented with the scholarship during the La Porte County 4-H Livestock Auction during the fair last week.  The scholarship was awarded by the La Porte County 4-H Council.

The scholarship is named after Richard “Dick” Reel, the founder and chief caretaker of Pioneer Land until his passing in 2022.  Pioneer Land began in 1995 with construction of a log cabin. 

About a dozen other buildings went up in future years with Reel, a retired Purdue Extension educator at the time, leading the development and operation of the 1800’s village.