HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Premier National Junior Show (PNJS) pageant of champions opened Sept. 15 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg with remarks from Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Lisa Graybeal.

She highlighted the show’s scale and impact: three days filled with youth shows, contests, and programs featuring 984 exhibitors from 33 states and Canada, with more than 3500 entries across 21 events.

“This show highlights our strengths and collaborations as we honor the dedication and skills of our youth who are preserving tradition while driving innovation and progress into the next generation,” Graybeal said, noting the PNJS reflects the vibrant, competitive spirit of the dairy industry in Pennsylvania and beyond.

The PNJS — in its 20th year — kicked off the 61st All-American Dairy Show (AADS).

 Graybeal also introduced the 2025 Pennsylvania Dairy Hall of Fame inductee, Jayne Sebright, executive director of the Center for Dairy Excellence. She praised Sebright not only for her leadership and influence on the dairy industry statewide and nationally, but also for the passion and the spirit with which she serves.

Noting that after working at the office or covering an event, “Jayne goes home and often changes her clothes to milk her cows,” Graybeal said Jayne’s work on behalf of the dairy industry and dairy farmers is not just professional, it’s personal.

Jayne and husband Robby and their three grown sons own Far-View Holsteins near East Berlin.

In accepting the award, Sebright addressed the pageant attendees, sponsors, volunteers and the lineup of youth exhibitors in the ring with their junior, bred-and-owned, and grand champions from seven dairy breeds. She reflected on her own journey:

“I was first exposed to the All-American Dairy Show as a show person a long time ago and never would have imagined this day,” said Sebright. “I really just get to do a job that I love, and I get to work with a team that I love. As I told them when I found out about this award, it’s really their award. Thank you for letting us do work that we love.”

Also recognized were: Betsy Musser of Denn Be Farms, Enon Valley, recipient of the AADS Image Award. She expressed gratitude for those who have helped over her 20 years with the show and the support of her family.

Steve Shaw of Williamsburg, recipient of the Obie Snider Award, humbly remarked that he “owes the dairy industry and the people in it far more than is owed him,” and is honored to work alongside the cows and people who make the industry great.

The Arthur Nesbitt Memorial Scholarship Award, presented by the All-American Dairy Foundation, went to Nicole Arrowsmith, daughter of Tom and Amanda Arrowsmith of Peach Bottom, Pa. Nicole is an agribusiness management major at Penn State.

The PNJS is the largest single-day youth dairy show in the nation, with seven breeds represented. Beyond the dairy breed classes, the opening three days of AADS week hosted national competitions in showmanship, fitting, dairy management, and judging at both youth and intercollegiate levels.

Now celebrating its 20th year, the PNJS has established itself as a national hub for dairy youth. It was first envisioned as a youth-focused event with its own supreme pageant of champions, separate from the open shows. The late Patti Hushon, remembered this year, coordinated the show during its first decade. As an AADS Pioneer, she championed the vision of making Harrisburg the place to be for dairy youth across the country — a mission that continues.