Give Me the Gold Thirty-three NJAA elite qualify for top hoor i Natioal Juior Recogitio Program. by Lysey Meharg, iter T hirty-three members of the Natioal Juior Agus Associatio (NJAA) eded their juior careers with a bag, receivig the Gold Award at the 2013 Natioal Juior Agus Show (NJAS) i Kasas City, Mo. The Gold Award is the third ad highest level of recogitio i the Natioal Juior Recogitio Program (NJRP). This program was created by the 1980-1981 Natioal Juior Agus Board ad the Juior Activities Departmet of the America Agus Associatio. I order to qualify for the Gold Award, juior members must first be awarded Broze ad Silver awards, which require a accumulatio of 2,000 poits or more eared throughout the juior s career. Gold Awards are bestowed i the fial year of juior eligibility ad require a total of 3,000 poits or more. Poits are awarded for participatio i various juior activities. These iclude Associatio activities, competitive activities, performace testig, productio ad merchadisig of Agus geetics, ad other relevat beef idustry activities. Members who meet all qualificatios for the award are preseted with a specially desiged pi cast i gold. This award is made possible through geerous doors ad the Agus Foudatio. The followig juiors were awarded 2013 Gold Award hoors. Jacy Alsup Laure Barker A ative of the Natural State, Jacy Alsup of Gravette, Ark., was recetly elected as the 2013-2014 Natioal Juior Agus Board chairma. The daughter of Day ad Debbie Alsup has bee a member of the NJAA sice 1999. Selected to represet the state of Arkasas for Jacy Alsup the 2011 Natioal Juior Agus Showmaship Cotest, Alsup ultimately placed third i the atio. Alsup, who was elected to the NJAA Board i 2012, was awarded three scholarships that same year, icludig oe for outstadig leadership. She also participated i the Leaders Egaged i Agus Developmet (LEAD) coferece i 2012. Beig ivolved i the NJAA for the past 12 years has [give me] the best years of my life, Alsup says. From travelig across the coutry for just a few miutes i frot of a judge, I have met lifelog frieds ad gaied leadership skills that I kow will help me i my future edeavors. I am so blessed to have bee raised Agus. Alsup, who will be a seior i the fall, is expected to graduate with a degree i agribusiess ad marketig from Oklahoma State Uiversity i May 2014. After joiig the NJAA i 2000, Laure Barker of Moticello, Iowa, took full advatage of the opportuities provided through her state ad atioal associatios. Havig served multiple leadership positios through the Iowa ad Hawkeye juior Laure Barker Agus associatios, as well as beig a member of the Easter Iowa Juior Agus Associatio, Barker has bee determied to make the most of her time i the NJAA. As a juior member, Laure has served as Miss Iowa Agus, as well as a votig delegate at the NJAS. She has also participated i LEAD. Barker has participated i evets at the NJAS icludig the quiz bowl, livestock judgig, photography, graphic desig ad scrapbook cotests. Because of her experiece with Agus cattle, Barker was well-prepared to serve as a Zoetis iter for the summer of 2013. The NJAA has give me so much, Barker says. It has helped me grow as a idividual i all the differet cotests, as well as meetig ew people ad learig a lot about great Agus cattle. I am so appreciative of everyoe who has helped me throughout my NJAS career. 108 ANGUSJoural The daughter of Ruhl ad Cheryl Barker plas to obtai her degree i ag commuicatios ad merchadisig through Iowa State Uiversity with plas to graduate i December 2015. Haah Bartholomew Haah Bartholomew of Archie, Mo., joied the NJAA i 2001. The daughter of Steve ad Tammy Bartholomew has served i several offices for the Missouri Juior Agus Associatio, i which she was elected presidet for 2012-2013. Havig Haah Bartholomew participated i LEAD ad Raisig the Bar cofereces for several years, Bartholomew has take advatage of the opportuities provided for her through the NJAA. Very few orgaizatios allow youg people to make frieds from all over the U.S. while doig somethig that you love, Bartholomew says. NJAA has bee that orgaizatio. As much as I ejoy showig, the aticipatio of seeig frieds at Agus evets ad the leadership opportuities NJAA has provided through LEAD ad Raisig the Bar have made me realize that my Agus ivolvemet is ot edig, it is just begiig.
Exhibitig cattle at NJAS early every year sice 2004, Bartholomew has participated i the quiz bowl, livestock judgig ad career developmet cotests, as well as the Auxiliary-sposored All-America Certified Agus Beef Cook-Off. After graduatig from the Uiversity of Missouri Columbia i 2014 with a degree i health scieces ad ursig, Bartholomew hopes to pursue her dream of becomig a eoatal urse practitioer. Jessica Clarke There is o doubt that beig a member of the NJAA for the past 12 years has shaped me ito the perso that I am today, Jessica Clarke says. For years, I followed my cousi aroud at Agus shows ad dreamed of the day that I would be old eough to have my ow Agus heifer. Jessica Clarke Clarke, of Rocky Ridge, Md., has always wated to show Agus cattle. Sice her juior career bega i 2002, she has served as a officer for the Marylad Juior Agus Associatio, as her state s Agus pricess ad quee, ad as a votig delegate at the NJAS. I additio, Clarke has received scholarships from both her state associatio ad the NJAA. As a juior member, Clarke atteded LEAD ad Raisig the Bar cofereces, ad she competed i the creative writig, photography, Cook-Off, team fittig, livestock judgig ad the Chef s Challege cotests. It has bee a hoor, ad I cosider myself lucky to be a part of this amazig orgaizatio, she says. I kow I will always look back ad truly miss my days as a Agus juior. Clarke, the daughter of Tim ad Becky Clarke, plas to graduate i 2014 from West Virgiia Uiversity with a degree i ag extesio educatio. Gregory Coell After joiig the NJAA i 2002, Gregory Coell, of Eugee, Mo., bega to realize the beefits of his ivolvemet i the Missouri Juior Agus Associatio, as well as the NJAA. Beig a member of the Missouri Juior Agus Associatio ad the NJAA has give me the ability to make may lifelog friedships, Coell says. As a member, Coell exhibited cattle across the state of Missouri ad at the NJAS. He also took advatage of the leadership opportuities Gregory Coell through the NJAA, attedig the LEAD coferece i 2009. Coell was selected i 2011 to represet his state i the Natioal Juior Agus Showmaship Cotest, i which he was recogized with a hoorable metio. I will always treasure the experieces ad the people that I have met, Coell adds. Through my participatio i the NJAA, I have gaied may experieces to use i the future to operate as a successful cattlema. Coell, the so of Victor ad Jessica Coell, expects to ear a degree i agriculture ad agricultural busiess from Oklahoma State Uiversity i 2015. Natha Eagleburger Whe Natha Eagleburger of Buffalo, Mo., joied the NJAA i 2006, he ever imagied how the orgaizatio would affect him. The oly thig he would chage about his juior career is to have joied sooer, Eagleburger says. It has bee oe of the greatest Natha Eagleburger experieces of my life thus far, ad I will always cherish the may good times. Beig a member of this great associatio ot oly helped me make ew frieds, but it helped me come out of my shell of shyess. Eagleburger has participated i a variety of activities o the state ad atioal level. A member of the NJAA, the Missouri Juior Agus Associatio ad the Southwest Juior Agus Associatio, Eagleburger has held offices o the state ad regioal level. Eagleburger atteded the LEAD coferece several times ad participated i the photography, poster, Cook-Off, livestock judgig ad team fittig cotests multiple times at NJAS. I the future, I pla to cotiue raisig registered-agus cattle, he says. After my NJAA experieces I ca t see myself without them. I will also help to support the future juior members, as they are the future of the orgaizatio that I have become so fod of. Eagleburger, the so of Jeff ad Pam Eagleburger, atteds Missouri State Uiversity ad expects to graduate i May 2014 with a degree i ag busiess ad aimal sciece. Taylor Flach Spedig the last 13 years of my life as a juior member of the Agus associatio has forever chaged my life, says Taylor Flach of Harrodsburg, Ky. Now that it is time for me to start plaig my future, it is easy to look back ad see how my ivolvemet Taylor Flach with the associatio has greatly impacted me. Flach joied the NJAA i 1996 ad has bee ivolved with the Agus breed through the NJAA ad the Ketucky Juior Agus Associatio ever sice. She served her state associatio as a officer for three years, atteded the LEAD coferece twice ad was selected to receive several scholarships through the Agus breed i 2010. Exhibitig cattle across her state, regio ad atio, Flach says her time i the NJAA has had a effect o the perso she is today. I could go o for days about how this idustry has molded me ito who I am, she says, however, the two thigs that I thik have helped build my future the most are friedships ad resposibility. The daughter of Brett ad Ly Flach, she curretly atteds Souther Illiois Uiversity Carbodale where she expects to ear a agribusiess ecoomics degree i May 2014. MacKezie Flory MacKezie Flory of Baldwi City, Ka., first joied the NJAA i 2004. As a member of the Kasas Juior Agus Associatio, Flory took o multiple leadership roles, CONTINUED ON PAGE 110 ANGUSJoural 109
Give Me the Gold CONTINUED FROM PAGE 109 icludig her service as the 2012-2013 first vice presidet. Flory saw the opportuities offered by the NJAA ad took advatage of them, applyig for ad receivig scholarships from both the Kasas Juior Agus Associatio ad the NJAA. Flory also participated i MacKezie Flory the Raisig the Bar coferece. As a NJAS exhibitor, Flory competed i cotests icludig the Cook-Off ad quiz bowl evets. I 2013, Flory was selected to represet her state i the Natioal Juior Agus Showmaship Cotest, i which she placed secod. Flory, the daughter of Jaso ad Wedy Flory, atteds Iowa State Uiversity ad is seekig a degree i agricultural studies. She plas to graduate i 2015. James Full Joiig the NJAA i 1997, James Full of Woodbie, Md., has bee a active member i the NJAA, as well as i the Marylad Juior Agus Associatio. Participatig i activities such as LEAD ad the photography, quiz bowl, Cook-Off ad team fittig cotests James Full at the NJAS has eriched Full s juior career, as well as his future. The NJAA has impacted my life i ways that o other orgaizatio ever could, Full says. Beig a part of this Associatio has eabled me to brach out to other Agus ethusiasts across the coutry ad build lifelog relatioships. I have developed leadership ad commuicatio skills, alog with a strog work ethic, to take with me i whatever my future holds. Travelig across the coutry to exhibit his cattle, Full has created may memories, icludig beig selected by his state to participate i the NJAS Showmaship Cotest. The opportuities I ve bee give over the 110 ANGUSJoural last 12 years, ad the memories made alog the way, will ever be forgotte, Full says. The so of Douglas ad Doa Full plas to obtai a agribusiess degree from Carroll Couty Commuity College. Taylor Gazda Whe I stop ad thik back o my career as a Natioal Juior Agus Associatio member, it s hard to keep tears from fillig my eyes, Taylor Gazda says. I guess you could say we are all beyod blessed to be a part of such a ifluetial orgaizatio. Taylor Gazda Havig received her member code i November 1992, Taylor Gazda of Athes, Ga., was officially a NJAA member at 1 moth of age. My dad s role i the America Agus Associatio ad the NJAA truly made both my sister ad I s juior careers a family affair. I will ever be able to thak the NJAA eough for makig my family who we are today. As a member of both the Georgia Juior Agus Associatio, as well as the NJAA, Gazda has served as the presidet of her state juior associatio, was crowed i 2009 the Georgia Juior Agus Quee ad was selected as a votig delegate for the 2009 NJAS. Gazda also participated i NJAA cofereces such as LEAD throughout her juior career. Exhibitig cattle across the southeast ad at NJAS, Gazda was also ivolved i the team sales ad photo cotests at NJAS. Gazda, the daughter of David ad Caroly Gazda, atteds Oklahoma State Uiversity where she expects to graduate i May 2016 with a degree i agricultural commuicatios ad aimal sciece. Tara Gray From the Hawkeye State, Tara Gray of Toledo, Iowa, joied the NJAA i 2001 ad has sice beefitted greatly from her experieces i the NJAA. Gray took advatage of opportuities such as attedig the LEAD ad Raisig the Bar cofereces, as well as applyig for ad receivig a NJAA scholarship. Gray has also participated i the photography cotest. The productio facet of my NJAA jourey has bee challegig, the Associatio evets great, the hoors rewardig, but my most treasured juior associatio memories will be the lifelog friedships that I have established Tara Gray with Agus producers ad associates, Gray says. I the future, she hopes to cotiue her Agus herd expasio ad establish herself as a premier breeder; ear double majors at Iowa State Uiversity i ag educatio ad ag busiess while earig miors i aimal sciece, meat sciece ad agroomy; ad cotiue to support the Agus breed ad beef producers through participatio ad advocacy. Gray, the daughter of Terry ad Julie Gray, received her ag busiess ad ag educatio degrees from Kirkwood Commuity College i May 2013. Cole Greima Cole Greima of Garer, Iowa, first joied the NJAA i 1996. Greima, the so of Ted ad Mary Greima, soo became ivolved i the Iowa Juior Agus Associatio, as well as the Iowa Juior Agus North Cetral District Associatio, i which he would serve may officer roles. Greima took Cole Greima full advatage of his time as a juior member by applyig for ad receivig scholarships from both the Iowa Agus Auxiliary ad the NJAA, servig as a state delegate, ad attedig both the LEAD ad Raisig the Bar cofereces. At the NJAS, he was ivolved i a variety of activities, icludig competig i the photography, quiz bowl ad livestock judgig cotests. I 2012, he was selected to represet his state i the Natioal Juior Agus Showmaship Cotest, i which he placed third.
Greima has worked hard to build the geetics of his herd, ad has marketed his cattle through sales icludig Sharig i the Progress sale ad the Sioux Empire Show & Sale for several years. Curretly attedig Iowa State Uiversity, Greima expects to graduate with a agricultural studies degree i May 2015. Haah Grim A NJAA member sice 2001, Haah Grim of East Berli, Pa., became heavily ivolved i the Pesylvaia Juior Agus Associatio i may capacities, icludig as a votig delegate to the NJAS i 2009 ad 2010. Grim was also crowed the Pesylvaia Agus Haah Grim Quee i 2010. Havig exhibited cattle at shows icludig the NJAS for multiple years, Grim also participated i the livestock judgig cotest at the NJAS. After establishig her cattle herd through the family farm, Grim bega raisig her ow Agus cattle ad cosiged to the BCA Private Treaty Sale for the first time i 2012. If I had ot bought my first heifer, I would have ever gaied these great skills, which I will cotiue to use, Grim says of her ivolvemet as a juior i the Agus breed. The Natioal Juior Agus Associatio has shaped me ito the idividual I am today by istillig differet leadership skills ad a great work ethic that I will cotiue to use throughout my life. Grim, the daughter of Elizabeth Ladis ad Gregory Grim, atteds Pe State Uiversity, where she expects to ear her degree i aimal sciece with a mior i agribusiess i May 2014. Jared Herbst Whe Jared Herbst of Salmo, Idaho, joied the NJAA i 1996, he could t have imagied the experieces he would have through the orgaizatio. Herbst atteded LEAD; exhibited at may shows, icludig the NJAS; ad participated i the NJAS metorig program, quiz bowl, team fittig ad team sales competitios. Herbst also received a scholarship from his state associatio as a result of his ivolvemet i the Agus breed. I ejoy the lifestyle of the Agus busiess ad the ability to work with the good people that share the same iterests. My desire to help build the agriculture idustry Jared Herbst has bee plated i me sice I was a youg boy workig with my hads, ad has grow as I have cotiued to work i the idustry, Herbst says. I have discovered that there are may aspects of the work, but recogize that each aspect has its place i buildig the idustry. I kow that it takes hard ad smart work to become successful, ad I ited to do both of those as I cotiue my life i the field of agriculture. Thak you to NJAA for givig me such a great start! Herbst, the so of Steve ad Jaa Herbst, expects to ear a ag busiess degree from Brigham Youg Uiversity i 2016. Judso Hoffscheider The Natioal Juior Agus Associatio has bee a great experiece for me, says Judso Hoffscheider, the so of Scott ad Jeifer Hoffscheider of Arligto, Neb., who has bee a member of the NJAA sice 1995. Erolled at the Judso Hoffscheider Uiversity of Nebraska Licol, he is pursuig a degree i agribusiess, bakig ad fiace with a mior i aimal sciece. He says showig cattle has taught him the lessos of hard work ad dedicatio. Havig bee give a Agus heifer at the age of 3 by his parets, Hoffscheider has used that female to build a herd of 10 females. He admits that he did ot realize early i life how ifluetial that gift would be ad how it would defie his life. Through his ivolvemet i the NJAA, he has gaied skills that have helped him succeed i college ad life. He is curretly servig as the Nebraska Juior Agus Associatio presidet. He has participated as a juior member sice 2004 o a atioal level, havig served as a votig delegate, as well as a participat i the career developmet cotest ad quiz bowl. I look to stay ivolved i the Agus Associatio i ay capacity that I ca, Hoffscheider says. As I cotiue towards my future, I kow agriculture will play a key role, ad I kow my Agus roots will ot be forgotte. Jaso Jallo Joiig the NJAA i 1993 at a little over a year of age, Jaso Jallo of Fordville, N.D., has grow up i the breed. Sice the Jallo has served as the vice presidet ad presidet of the North Dakota Juior Agus Associatio, i additio to beig selected as a votig Jaso Jallo delegate to the NJAS i 2008, 2010 ad 2011. Jallo participated i the LEAD coferece offered by NJAA, as well as the Guidig Outstadig Agus Leaders (GOAL) coferece through the Caadia Juior Agus Associatio. Thikig back o all the opportuities that I have had due to the Agus idustry makes me realize how lucky I have bee, Jallo says. I did t just travel to may places aroud the Uited States, but have also bee able to see differet parts of the world. Havig exhibited at NJAS for a umber of years, Jallo has competed i the quiz bowl, team sales ad cattle judgig cotests. Jallo, the so of Daryl ad Debbie Jallo, atteded Northlad Commuity ad Techical College studyig farm maagemet ad operatig systems before becomig the herdsma o the family farm, Jallo Agus Rach. Maggie Jasper A Ketucky ative, Maggie Jasper of Versailles, Ky., first joied the NJAA at 3 moths of age. As a member of the Ketucky Juior Agus Associatio, Jasper served as both a director ad reporter. She was also CONTINUED ON PAGE 112 ANGUSJoural 111
Give Me the Gold CONTINUED FROM PAGE 111 selected to serve as the 2009 Ketucky Juior Agus Associatio Pricess ad as votig delegate to the NJAS i 2010. Jasper s participatio i the showrig exteded past her home state, ad her ivolvemet icluded exhibitig cattle ad competig i the CookMaggie Jasper Off, quiz bowl, photography ad livestock judgig cotests. Jasper was also selected to represet her state i the Natioal Juior Agus Showmaship Cotest i 2012 where she eared a hoorable metio. Elected to serve o the NJAA Board i 2012, Jasper was selected to serve as the commuicatios director for 2013-2014. Whe I bega showig cattle, I ever imagied that the opportuities would reach past ribbos ad baers, Jasper says. My time as a juior has come to a close, but I kow that I will ever have to leave behid all that I have leared. NJAA experieces do ot cease at the ed of the show or the coferece, but will cotiue with me as I embrace ew ad excitig opportuities i the future. Jasper, the daughter of Jim Jasper ad Elizabeth Waterfill, atteds Easter Ketucky Uiversity ad expects to ear a degree i occupatioal sciece i May 2015. Sadie Kie Sadie Kie of Eagleville, Mo., joied the NJAA i 2001 ad joied the Missouri Juior Agus Associatio that same year. As a juior member, Kie served as a officer for the Missouri Juior Agus Associatio, was selected as a delegate to the 2012 NJAS ad atteded Sadie Kie LEAD twice. Competig i the Cook-Off, quiz bowl, team sales, creative writig ad photography cotests at NJAS were aother way for Kie to make the most of her time as a juior. It provided coutless opportuities to travel across the state ad atio exhibitig 112 ANGUSJoural cattle, ad I gaied ivaluable lifelog skills by participatig i such evets as team sales competitios, Cook-Off, ad LEAD cofereces, Kie says. Alog with developig aimal husbadry skills, I have gaied the skills of commuicatio, leadership, self-disciplie ad dedicatio that will equip me for a career i agriculture. I will always ecourage all youg Agus ad cattle ethusiasts to take advatage of what the NJAA has to offer. Kie, the daughter of Keith ad Shelly Kie, atteds the Uiversity of Missouri Columbia ad expects to ear a ag educatio degree with a emphasis i teachig i May 2015. Colto Kreager Joiig the NJAA i 2000, Colto Kreager of Newark, Ohio, became ivolved i the NJAA, as well as the Easter Ohio Juior Agus Associatio, the Miami Valley Agus Associatio, the Northeast Ohio Juior Agus Associatio ad the Ohio Juior Agus Associatio. Colto Kreager I additio to servig as a officer for the Easter Ohio Juior Agus Associatio, Colto was awarded scholarships by the Agus Foudatio, the America Agus Auxiliary ad the Ohio Agus Auxiliary. While exhibitig cattle at NJAS, Kreager participated i the photography, quiz bowl, livestock judgig ad poster cotests. I leared so may life lessos ad leadership skills from beig ivolved i this orgaizatio that has helped me grow ito the perso I am today, Kreager says. I will cotiue to stay ivolved as I fiish my jourey i the NJAA ad eter adulthood ad joi the America Agus Associatio. I will also cotiue to be a advocate for agriculture as I stay ivolved i agriculture orgaizatios i my commuity. Kreager, the so of Dea ad Becky Kreager, atteds the Ohio State Uiversity ad expects to graduate i Jue 2014 with a degree i ag educatio. Kate Livigsto Whe Kate Livigsto, the daughter of Tim ad Nacy Livigsto, first joied the NJAA i 1993, she was almost 2 years old. As she got older, Livigsto became a ivolved member of the Pesylvaia Juior Agus Associatio. She evetually was elected to serve as the associatio s presidet i 2009 Kate Livigsto ad agai i 2010. Livigsto, a residet of Dover, Pa., also took advatage of the orgaizatio s opportuities earig scholarships from the Pesylvaia Ladies Auxiliary ad the Agus Foudatio, ad attedig cofereces such as LEAD. As a juior at NJAS, Livigsto would compete i the photography, poster, CookOff, extemporaeous speakig ad quiz bowl cotests, as well as the Natioal Juior Agus Showmaship Cotest as her state s represetative. The NJAA has provided me with a foudatio upo which I built leadership, commuicatio, orgaizatioal skills ad a strog work ethic, Livigsto says. The NJAA, with its vast resources, provides opportuities to gai self-cofidece ad foster growth. I am very grateful for the time spet i the NJAA because they have helped to defie the perso I have become. The friedship ad the memories really do make it the best 21 years of your life. Livigsto atteds Pe State Uiversity ad expects to graduate with a degree i ag educatio ad extesio i May 2014. Colby Myers Havig origially joied the NJAA i 2002, Colby Myers of Harrodsburg, Ky., later broadeed his ivolvemet by joiig the Ketucky Juior Agus Associatio. Myers served throughout his state associatio as a two-year director, treasurer ad, fially, first vice presidet. Competig at the NJAS i the Cook-Off ad team sales competitios taught Myers that the NJAA ivolved so much more tha exhibitig his cattle. I first bega my ivolvemet i the NJAA by exhibitig cattle, but I quickly leared that the NJAA has much more to offer, Myers says. I have traveled to LEAD ad Raisig
the Bar cofereces all over the coutry where I gaied valuable idustry kowledge ad leadership skills, but also had the chace to make may frieds. My iterest i the breed led me to study pedigrees, dig ito EPDs (expected progey differeces) ad lear how to Colby Myers more accurately evaluate cattle. Thaks to the NJAA, I have Agus frieds all over the atio ad have plas to cotiue developig my herd of Agus cattle. Myers, the so of Joe ad Toi Myers, is erolled at the Uiversity of Ketucky majorig i ag ecoomics with a mior i busiess. He expects to graduate i May 2014. Miles Pearso A ative of the Suflower State, Miles Pearso of Scott City, Ka., first joied the NJAA i 1999 before wideig his opportuities o the state level by becomig ivolved i the Kasas Juior Agus Associatio. Pearso served from 2006 util 2012 as the state s Miles Pearso District 7 director. Attedig the NJAS twice, Pearso participated i the metorig program, as well as the Cook-Off, photography, extemporaeous speakig, livestock judgig, quiz bowl, poster, creative writig, graphic desig, team sales ad colorig cotests. Havig built a herd through the years, Pearso bega cosigig cattle to the MidKasas Agus Breeders sale i 2005 as a way to showcase his herd s geetics. Pearso feels his ivolvemet i both his state associatio ad the NJAA prepared him for his future. Beig ivolved with the NJAA, ad with cattle i geeral, has made me more aware of my resposibilities ad the importace of stayig o top of them, Pearso says. Pearso, the so of Clit ad Lisa Pearso, atteds Kasas State Uiversity while pursig a degree i food sciece, which he expects to ear i 2015. Jessica Radcliffe Jessica Radcliffe of Westo, Wis., joied the NJAA oly a few moths after she was bor i 1993. Radcliffe became ivolved i the Wiscosi Juior Agus Associatio later i her juior career, servig as the orgaizatio s presidet i 2011 ad 2012. Radcliffe Jessica Radcliffe has take full advatage of the leadership opportuities offered by the NJAA by attedig both the LEAD ad Raisig the Bar cofereces. I 2012 she was selected by her state associatio as its represetative to the NJAS, where she was amed top showma. Radcliffe, the daughter of Reee ad the late Ja Radcliffe, atteds the Uiversity of Illiois at Urbaa-Champaig while pursuig a degree i agriculture ad cosumer ecoomics. She hopes to graduate i May 2015. Kelsey Stabler Kelsey Stabler of Laytosville, Md., first joied the NJAA i 2005. A member of both the NJAA ad the Marylad Juior Agus Associatio, Stabler has served twice as a director of her state associatio. I additio, Stabler applied for ad received a scholarship from Kelsey Stabler the Marylad Agus Associatio ad was selected to serve as the Marylad Agus Quee i 2010. Exhibitig her cattle across the Uited States has bee a great opportuity for Stabler, who participated i the 2012 Natioal Juior Agus Showmaship Cotest, i which she placed fifth. The Juior Agus Associatio has offered me may opportuities that I will carry forward with me, Stabler says. I will forever treasure the lifelog friedships I have made throughout my juior career. Eve though I am at the ed of my time as a juior, I pla to actively work with the America Agus Associatio ad the Auxiliary i the future to be able to impact other juiors lives as positively as mie was impacted. I would like to especially thak my father for givig me this opportuity ad supportig me as I cotiue my jourey through life! Stabler, the daughter of Rady Stabler, graduated from Mout Sait Mary s Uiversity i May 2013 with a degree i accoutig. Austi Thummel Represetig the Show-Me State, Austi Thummel of Sherida, Mo., joied the NJAA i 2001ad became a member of the Missouri Juior Agus Associatio that same year. As a Missouri juior member, Thummel served as the District Oe represetative before beig elected Austi Thummel presidet i 2011. Thummel took part i a rage of NJAA activities, from applyig for ad receivig a NJAA scholarship to servig as a delegate to the NJAA i 2012, ad eve attedig both the LEAD ad Raisig the Bar cofereces. Exhibitig his cattle across the Midwest, Thummel traveled to NJAS multiple times, participatig i the extemporaeous speakig, quiz bowl, photography, creative writig ad Cook-Off cotests, as well as the Natioal Juior Agus Showmaship Cotest. Through the NJAA, I have see may segmets of the agricultural idustry i may states, Thummel says. I have ejoyed talkig shop with those makig a impact o this vital idustry. Without my ivolvemet i the NJAA, I would ot have had the opportuity to travel so extesively or visit with such a vast array of people. I urge youger juiors to make the most of all opportuities. Thummel, the so of Jeff ad Deb Thummel, expects to ear his ag busiess ad agroomy degree from Northwest Missouri State Uiversity i May 2015. CONTINUED ON PAGE 114 ANGUSJoural 113
Give Me the Gold CONTINUED FROM PAGE 113 Lidsay Turer A ative of Covigto, Te., Lidsay Turer joied the NJAA i 2001. As a member of the Teessee Juior Agus Associatio, Turer served i may officer positios, icludig presidet for 2010-2011. She was selected as the Teessee Juior Lidsay Turer Agus Associatio Quee for 2011-2012, as well as servig as a delegate for her state at the 2012 NJAS. Besides her ivolvemet o the state level, Turer has atteded both Raisig the Bar ad LEAD cofereces, ad has exhibited her cattle across the state of Teessee ad the atio by travelig to several juior atioals. At the NJAS, Wilso participated i the poster, photography, livestock judgig ad quiz bowl cotests. The Agus associatio has helped shape who I am by allowig me to work with my passios: cattle ad talkig to people, Turer says. By workig with aimals all my life, I foud my passio for educatig people o the breed ad agriculture i geeral. By goig to shows, I made coectios ad got to talk to so may woderful people that show me that agricultural commuicatio is what I wat to do with the rest of my life. Turer, the daughter of Joh ad Amber Turer, expects to ear a ag commuicatios degree from the Uiversity of Teessee at Marti i December 2014. Lidsay Upperma Lidsay Upperma of Chambersburg, Pa., first joied the NJAA i 2003 ad became ivolved i the Pesylvaia Juior Agus Associatio later o i her juior career i 2004. Through the years, Upperma held the offices of director, vice presidet ad Lidsay Upperma presidet with her state associatio. I additio, she served as the Pesylvaia Agus quee, was 114 ANGUSJoural awarded scholarships from the America Agus Auxiliary ad Agus Foudatio, ad participated i the LEAD ad Raisig the Bar cofereces. As a exhibitor at the NJAS, Upperma participated i the Cook-Off, prepared public speakig, quiz bowl, livestock judgig, career developmet, creative writig, extemporaeous speakig ad team fittig cotests. She was recetly elected to serve as a director of the NJAA. Agus cattle ad the Agus Associatio have played a vital role i the perso I have become, Upperma says. As I hope to tur all my curret ad future visios ito realities, I also wat to help advocate the agricultural idustries to the public i how they have iflueced my decisios, ad have provided the role models that I look up to every day. I the ed, it s ot about the realities we experiece, it s about the may visios we ca tur ito a reality. Upperma, the daughter of Steve ad Jae Upperma, eared her aimal sciece degree from Butler Commuity College i May 2013. Paige Wallace Bor ad raised i Missouri, Paige Wallace of Stotts City joied the America Agus Associatio oe moth after her birth i 1992. Wallace joied the Missouri Juior Agus Associatio ad served her state as secretary, vice presidet ad presidet before Paige Wallace ruig for ad beig elected to the NJAA Board. Wallace was selected as Miss America Agus i 2011. At past NJAS evets, Wallace has served as a votig delegate for Missouri, competed i the team sales, photography ad Cook-Off cotests, received the Outstadig Leader award, ad, this year competed i ad wo the Natioal Juior Agus Showmaship Cotest. My ivolvemet i the NJAA has bee oe of the most impactig activities I have bee ivolved i thus far ad has udoubtedly shaped my future. Growig up i the cattle idustry eabled me to sped time with my family, ad taught my brother ad I the true value of hard work. Learig this ad other skills at a youg age eabled me to have a uderstadig of drive ad passio. Today I carry that drive ad passio ito my pursuit of a career i the agriculture idustry, she says. Wallace, the daughter of Erie ad Tammy Wallace, atteds Oklahoma State Uiversity ad iteds to graduate with a ag commuicatios degree i May 2014. Cory Watt As a juior, Joatha Cory Watt of Iva, S.C., first joied the NJAA i 2000 ad became ivolved i the South Carolia Juior Agus Associatio (SCJAA) ot log after. As a state member, Watt served i a umber of capacities, icludig as Cory Watt director, secretary, vice presidet ad, fially, presidet. By becomig a member of the NJAA ad the SCJAA, it has taught me how to become a better commuicator, leader, showma, breeder ad the perso I am today, Watt says. As a juior member, Watt was selected to serve as a state delegate to the NJAS ad participated i leadership activities such as the LEAD ad Raisig the Bar cofereces. At the NJAS, he competed i the team sales, quiz bowl ad livestock judgig. I feel like beig a part of the Agus breed has taught me hard work, resposibility ad dedicatio, Watt says. I feel like those three characteristics are what it takes to be successful. At the 2013 NJAS, Watt was elected to the NJAA Board ad will begi his two-year term as a director this summer. Watt, the so of Joh ad Rebecca Watt, studies aimal agribusiess at Clemso Uiversity ad expects to graduate i the sprig of 2014. Kately Wilso From the Hoosier State, Kately Wilso of Orleas, Id., first joied the NJAA i 2000 ad later became ivolved i the Idiaa Juior Agus Associatio, servig
as the juior advisor i both 2012 ad 2013. Wilso exhibited cattle throughout her state ad at the NJAS, where she received a Agus Foudatio scholarship i 2012 before attedig the LEAD coferece that summer. While at NJAS, Wilso Kately Wilso made the most of the experiece by participatig i the Cook-Off, team sales, quiz bowl ad team fittig cotests, as well as competig i the Natioal Juior Agus Showmaship Cotest i 2012. My time i the NJAA has opeed more doors tha I ever thought possible, says Wilso. I started out as a 9-year-old just watig to follow i the footsteps of my big sisters, showig cattle ad spedig my summers o the road travelig the show circuit. That hobby tured ito my biggest passio ad led me to meet some of the most importat people i my life. The Natioal Juior Agus Associatio has become like a secod family to me ad give me opportuities that otherwise would ot have bee i my life. Wilso, the daughter of Lora ad Kathy Wilso, atteds the Uiversity of Ketucky ad expects to ear a degree i ag commuicatios ad aimal sciece i December 2014. Haah Wright First joiig the NJAA i 1999, Haah Wright of Sprig City, Te., has served her home state through may positios, icludig as presidet of the Teessee Juior Agus Associatio i both 2010 ad 2012, as well as beig amed a juior co-chair for the 2012 NJAS i Haah Wright Louisville, Ky. While ivolved i the NJAA, Wright applied for ad was awarded scholarships by both the Agus Auxiliary ad the Agus Foudatio, was amed as a delegate to NJAS twice, atteded both LEAD ad Raisig the Bar, ad was amed the Outstadig Leader at the 2013 NJAS. As a exhibitor at NJAS, Wright competed i evets icludig extemporaeous speakig, prepared speakig ad career developmet, as well as the 2011 Natioal Juior Agus Showmaship Cotest, i which she eared a hoorable metio. Wright also had the opportuity to vie for the NJAA Agus Ambassador i 2012, ad she was a fialist for Miss America Agus i 2011. My ivolvemet i the NJAA has deepeed my kowledge of the breed of cattle that I love, Wright says. It has provided me with the tools of leadership ad cofidece that have supported me throughout my educatio. The kowledge I have gaied has propelled me forward ito a job market cofidet i my decisios. Wright, the daughter of Timothy ad Coie Wright, atteds the Uiversity of Teessee Koxville ad plas to ear her ag ecoomics ad aimal sciece degrees i May 2014. Shao Yokley Shao Yokley of Jefferso City, Mo., joied the NJAA i 2007 before becomig ivolved i the Missouri Juior Agus Associatio. As a member of her state associatio, Yokley served i may leadership roles, ad was elected to first vice presidet for the Shao Yokley comig year. Durig her juior career, Yokley beefitted from the NJAA by receivig a scholarship from her state associatio, servig as a votig delegate at NJAS ad attedig the LEAD coferece. At NJAS, Yokley participated i the quiz bowl, Cook-Off ad photography cotests. Orgaizatios like the NJAA are so essetial to the growth ad developmet of youg agriculturalists, Yokley says. I myself have grow ad developed, but most importatly I have foud my passio through this orgaizatio. Sice the age of 8, I have bee active i showig ad various cotests, but at the ed of the day, there is much more tha competitio you are left with lifelog frieds. I have bee truly blessed for beig able to be a member of this orgaizatio, ad I caot wait to pass my passio for it to the ext geeratio. Yokley, daughter of S. Waye ad Kare Yokley, atteds the Uiversity of Missouri Columbia while pursuig a ag jouralism degree, which she expects to ear i May 2015. Drake Yo At less tha 1 moth old, Drake Yo of Ridge Sprig, S.C., joied the NJAA. After becomig ivolved i the South Carolia Juior Agus Associatio, Yo served as the vice presidet of the orgaizatio i 2011. As a NJAA member, he received scholarships at the Drake Yo NJAS for two years, atteded LEAD cofereces i Colorado ad Teessee, ad served as a votig delegate for his state at the NJAS. A participat i NJAS, Yo competed i the quiz bowl cotest i 2012. Agus cattle have always had a major ifluece o my life. Ever sice birth I have bee submersed i the Agus idustry, ad it has bee a key factor i shapig me ito the perso I am today, positively ifluecig me o may levels. It has taught me the value of hard work ad a job doe right, Yo says. Curretly erolled at Clemso Uiversity, Yo, the so of Kevi ad Lydia Yo, is pursuig a ag ecoomics degree with a mior i aimal sciece, which he expects to ear i May 2014. Hopefully, my agricultural ecoomics degree will prepare me to evaluate feasible ways for our busiess to expad, he adds. Most importatly, I am excited to someday get to raise my ow family aroud a idustry that has taught me so much ad offered me so may opportuities. ANGUSJoural 115