The Blair Garden club has awarded two $1,000 scholarships to Blair County seniors whose career plans reflect the values and beliefs of the organization.

The 2026 recipients are Ty Uplinger from Williamsburg Community and Norah Bechtel from Central High School.

Uplinger is active in FFA and won the county land judging contest for the past two years and placed second as he advanced to the state competition.

His accomplishments include Presidential Academic Awards, the Ottis Wyland Sportsmanship Award and STEM award.

He plans to attend Penn State University majoring in biological engineering. Uplinger’s interests in agriculture and auctioneering have been inspired by his family. Ty is the son of Julie and Aaron Uplinger.

Bechtel has proven her leadership in the Central Cove FFA serving as treasurer and president. Norah is deeply involved in 4H as well.

In fact, she placed third overall in the All-American Dairy Show Invitational Youth Dairy Cattle Judging Contest.

Besides the national recognition, Bechtel makes a difference in her community as agricultural advocate, child care worker and an exceptional scholar.

She plans to attend Penn State University preparing for a career in animal nutrition. Her parents are Jason and Sarah Bechtel.

High school seniors planning to work toward careers in agriculture, biology, environmental engineering, floriculture, forestry, conservation, horticulture, landscape architecture, nursery production and management, plant pathology, soil science, turf management and wildlife science and related fields are eligible for this annual scholarship.