BRATTLEBORO, Vt. — Nearly 300 Junior Holstein Association members shared their passion for Holstein cows and the dairy industry at the National Holstein Convention held in St. Louis, Missouri in late June.
“Attending the National Holstein Convention was an incredible opportunity to connect with like-minded youth from across the country and meet some truly inspiring adults who share a passion for the Holstein breed,” said Junior Holstein Member and DJM finalist Alexis Hoefs from New Prague, Minnesota. “It was amazing to spend time in the Union Station soaking in the beauty and deep history of the area, making the experience even more unforgettable.”
Contest results follow:
• Prepared public speaking
Thirty-eight youths showcased their presentation skills. Speech topics covered a broad range of dairy industry topics, including beef on dairy, a world without dairy, artificial intelligence in the dairy industry, and more.
Junior division (ages 9-13 as of January 1)
- 1. Brynley Bossard, New York
- 2. Seth Peiffer, Pennsylvania
- 3. Sedona Sifford, Virginia
Intermediate division (ages 14-17)
- 1. Chloe Chapman, California
- 2. Abby Meyer, Wisconsin
- 3. Logan Harbaugh, Wisconsin
Senior division (ages 18-21)
- 1st place: Sarah Craun, Virginia
- 2nd place: Brianna Meyer, Wisconsin
- 3rd place: Gabriella Taylor, New York
• Extemporaneous speaking
Open to Juniors in the senior division it is is designed to help youth develop the ability to think on their feet and broaden their knowledge of dairy industry topics. Contestants were judged on organization of material, power of expression, voice, stage presence, and response to questions.
Senior division (ages 18-21)
- 1. Case Melzer, Missouri
- 2. Aubree Topp, Ohio
- 3. Heather Hodges, California
• Folding Display Contest
Th competition, now in its 16th year, had 41 entries. 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 division
Junior division (ages 9-13)
- 1. Carson Rauen, Iowa
- 2. Hailey Zook, Pennsylvania
- 3. Ashtyn Gehringer, Pennsylvania
Intermediate division (ages 14-17)
- 1. Charlotte Quick, Pennsylvania
- 2. Brinkley Burdette, Pennsylvania
- 3. Suzanna Oesch, Michigan
Senior division (ages 18-21)
- 1. Elaina Lahmers, Ohio
- 2. Casey Zirk, Pennsylvania
- 3. Carlee Roell, New Jersey
• Scientific division
Junior division (ages 9-13)
- 1. Briecyn Kurth, Minnesota
- 2. Andrea Hix, Pennsylvania
- 3. Violet Mendez, California
Intermediate division (ages 14-17)
- 1. Amy Adolphsen, Washington
- 2. Lydia Kaverman, Ohio
- 3. Abby Brown, Pennsylvania
Senior division (ages 18-21)
- 1. Sophie Griswold, Pennsylvania
- 2. Carlee Roell, New Jersey
- 3. Faith Wolfe, Pennsylvania
• Digital State Scrapbook
The Digital Scrapbook Contest gives each state the chance to tell the story of activities and events their Junior Holstein associations take part in each year. Entries must be presented on a computer or another digital format and share judges on their news clippings, photo organization, originality, and variety of activities.
- 1. Virginia
- 2. Missouri
- 3. California
- 4. New England
- 5. Minnesota
• State Banner
The state banner competition allows Juniors 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.
- 1. California
- 2. Ohio
- 3. Pennsylvania
• Mission Membership
One 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. Wisconsin and Ohio tied for the honor in St. Louis.
• NHWSO Awards Scholarships
Four Junior Holstein members were awarded scholarships by the National Holstein Women’s Scholarship Organization.
- Madeline Hensel, Wisconsin, $5000
- Lauren Breuning, Wisconsin,
- Rachel Craun, Virginia, and
- Elaina Lahmers, Ohio each received $2000
• New representative elected
Three new youth representatives were elected to the National Junior Advisory Committee (JAC) during the National Junior Forum.
Cayden Bursiek from Ohio was elected to represent Area II, Ainsley Sellers from Pennsylvania was elected to represent Area I, and Mykel Mull of California was elected as the new at-large member.
The JAC is the governing body of the Junior Association, overseeing the organization’s activities. Committee members are elected by the Junior membership at the National Junior Forum; members serve two-year terms.
