“Lexington proved to be the perfect back drop for Junior Holstein members to engage in friendly competition” says Kelli Dunklee, Holstein Association USA Event and Program Lead. “The variety of contests and activities throughout the week provided these future dairy leaders with countless opportunities to learn new things, gain lifelong friends, and have lots of fun!”
Prepared Public SpeakingForty-seven youth members honed their presentation and speaking skills during the prepared public speaking competition. Speech topics ranged from farm stress to dairy innovation, to dairy breed history and milk marketing. Following are the results from each age division.
Junior Division (ages 9-13 as of January 1)1st place: Cash McCauley, Michigan2nd place: Madalyn Troutman, Pennsylvania3rd place: Savannah Judd, Massachusetts
Intermediate Division (ages 14-17 as of January 1)1st place: Samantha Justice, Missouri2nd place: Lily Marshman, New York3rd place: Madison Wiese, Wisconsin
Senior Division (ages 18-21 as of January 1)1st place: Kylie Konyn, California2nd place: Gabriella Taylor, New York3rd place: Sara Reed, Pennsylvania
Folding Display ContestTwenty-seven entries were submitted in this year’s Folding Display competition. Participants create a free-standing display educating people about a dairy industry-related topic of their choice. Youth are divided into three age divisions, and each division has two categories – Scientific and Creative. Following are the results for each category.
Creative DivisionJunior Division (ages 9-13 as of January 1)1st place: Hailey Zook, Pennsylvania2nd place: Trey Daubert, Virginia3rd place: Aden Carter, Pennsylvania
Intermediate Division (ages 14-17 as of January 1)1st place: Chelsea Empet, Pennsylvania2nd place: Lauryn Irwin, Pennsylvania3rd place: Kassidy Gantos, North Carolina
Scientific Division
Junior Division (ages 9-13 as of January 1)1st place: Bryson Baldwin, North Carolina2nd place: Kimber Hough, Pennsylvania3rd place: Madeline Branch, North Carolina
Intermediate Division (ages 14-17 as of January 1)1st place: Sophie Griswold, Pennsylvania2nd place: Atley Shafer, Maryland3rd place: Aiden Empet, Pennsylvania
Senior Division (ages 18-21 as of January 1)1st place: Salem Sifford, Virginia2nd place: Kristen Houser, Pennsylvania3rd place: Cholee Roell, New JerseyState ScrapbookThe state scrapbook contest gives each state the chance to tell the story of activities and events their Junior Holstein associations take part in each year. The books were judged on the cover, news clippings, photos organization, originality, and variety of activities.
1st place: Illinois2nd place: New England
Digital State ScrapbookState Junior Holstein Associations also had the opportunity to participate in the Digital Scrapbook Contest. This contest is judged on the same criteria as a traditional scrapbook, but entries must be presented on a computer or another digital format.
1st place: Iowa2nd place: California3rd place: Missouri4th place: Ohio5th place: New England
State BannerThe state banner competition allows states to creatively showcase their associations, displayed throughout the week at the Convention. Judges assess the banners based on promotion of state, Holstein related, attractiveness, originality, and overall appearance.1st place: Virginia2nd place: California3rd place: MichiganMission MembershipOne state is recognized each year for increasing their membership. The honor is calculated on a percentage increase from January 1 to June 1 of the convention year. Minnesota took home the honor in 2023 for the second year in a row, with a membership increase of 24 new members.NHWSO Awards ScholarshipsThree Junior Holstein members were awarded scholarships by the National Holstein Women’s Scholarship Organization (NHWSO) during the National Junior Holstein Convention. This year’s recipients receiving scholarships were Emory Bewley, Doreen Dyt, and Irene Nielsen.
New Representative Elected to Junior Advisory Committee (JAC)Three new youth representatives were elected to the National Junior Advisory Committee (JAC) during the National Junior Forum. Gabriella Taylor was elected to the Area 1 position, Aubree Topp was elected to the Area 2 position, and Clarissa Ulness was elected to the At-Large position.
The JAC is the governing body of the Junior Association and oversees the organization’s activities. Youth committee members are elected by the Junior membership at the National Junior Forum, and members serve two-year terms.
For more information about Junior Holstein Association’s youth programs, visit www.holsteinfoundation.org, or contact Kelli Dunklee, youth programs specialist, at 800.952.5200, ext. 4124, or by email.
Holstein Association USA, Inc., provides programs, products and services to dairy producers to enhance genetics and improve profitability — including animal identification and ear tags, genomic testing, mating programs, dairy records processing, classification, communication, consulting services, and Holstein semen.The Association, headquartered in Brattleboro, VT., represents approximately 25,000 members throughout the United States. To learn more about Registered Holsteins® and the other exciting programs offered by the Holstein Association, visit www.holsteinusa.com, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
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