Good Luck, Candidates!
13 outstanding junior members will be running for a position on the junior board of directors in Grand Island, Neb. next week. The NJHA Junior Board is comprised of 12 individuals who serve three-year terms and govern the 3,000 member junior organization. Each year, four new members are elected at the Junior National Hereford Expo.
Meet this year’s candidates:
Abigail Spindle
Abigail Spindle of Moriarty, N.M., is the 19- year- old daughter of Tom and Becky Spindle. She is a sophomore at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College where she is majoring in animal science and a successful member of the livestock judging team. Abigail plans on attending Oklahoma State University and furthering her education in agriculture economics. After college, she wants to keep up the family tradition and raise cattle on her family farm. Abigail is the ten- year member of the New Mexico Junior Hereford Association where she served as queen and princess.
As a member of the National Junior Hereford Association(NJHA) she wants to help promote the association by providing booths at National FFA Convention and National 4-H Congress. Abigail plans on increasing the leadership opportunities offered to regional boards, state officers and more. She hopes to bring new ideas and a deep rooted love for the breed to the table.
Allie Schrammel
Allie Schrammel of Orlando, Okla., is the 18-year-old daughter of David and Lorinda Schrammel. She is a freshman at Oklahoma State University where she is pursuing a double major in agricultural communications and animal science. Allie has been a member of the Oklahoma Junior Hereford Association for 8 years.
She hopes to provide and promote educational showcases at regional shows. Hereford youth would have the opportunity to learn more about the industry and operations in their region. Allie’s attention to detail combined with her passion for ag marketing and Hereford cattle would allow her to create awareness and build excitement for these events to both industry leaders and juniors.
Brooklyn Adam
Brooklyn Adam of Lathrop, Mo., is the 20-year-old daughter of Scott and Tammy Adam. She is a Junior at Iowa State University and pursuing a degree in agriculture education and life sciences, communication with a minor in food science in human nutrition. In the future she would like to combine her passion for photography, writing, and agriculture by becoming a photojournalist for an agriculture-based magazine company. Brooklyn is the twelve year member of the Missouri Junior Hereford Association where she served as a board member and is the current treasurer.
As a NJHA board member, Brooklyn wants to stress the importance of being an active member in the state association. She says, “Being a member is one thing, but being an active and driven member is totally different and shows its benefits in the end.”
Calah Covey
Calah Covey of Hamill, S.D., is the 20-year-old daughter of Craig and Dawn Covey. She is a junior at South Dakota State University where she is pursuing a degree in agriculture communications with a minor in animal science. She dreams of working for a livestock marketing and media company and continuing to raise Hereford cattle. For thirteen years, she has been a member of the South Dakota Junior Hereford Association. She has served in many state office positions and as her state Hereford queen.
As a board member, she hopes to increase the communication between junior members and the board of directors. Calah believes members should be more involved in their state associations, and thinks members will have a greater stake in our organizations if they know the board is interested in their opinions.
Jackson Neil
Jackson Neil of Northfield, Minn., is the 20-year-old son of Steve and Keely Neil. He is a junior at South Dakota State University and is pursuing a degree in agriculture business. Upon graduation, he hopes to work in agriculture marketing and sales where he can work directly with cattlemen. He held the offices of vice president, treasurer and director during his twelve years as a member of the Minnesota Junior Hereford Association.
If elected to the NJHA board, Jackson would like to promote enthusiasm for the Hereford breed while providing opportunities through leadership, education and teamwork, thus ensuring a brighter future for the youth and cattle industry. He anticipates Hereford youth becoming more involved in the Pen to Pen program, Faces of Leadership and much more.
Montana Lawrence
Montana Lawrence of Princeton, Minn., is the 20-year-old daughter of Bryan and Marytina Lawrence. She is a junior at the University of Minnesota Morris where she is studying political science and studio art. Montana has an interest in politics and has considered attending law school after receiving her bachelor’s degree. She has served as president and state Hereford queen for the Minnesota Junior Hereford Association.
If elected to the NJHA board, Montana’s goal is to draw our juniors closer together and foster the mentality that each member has something valuable to contribute to the Hereford legacy. She hopes to increase the correspondence between national and state boards, creating new leadership and advocacy programs, and recognizing that as a national board it is our responsibility to lead by example.
Reid Allen
Reid Allen of Quincy, Ill., is the 18-year-old son of Clint and Heather Allen. He is an upcoming freshman at Lincoln Land Community College where he will be majoring in animal nutrition. After college, he plans on utilizing his degree and becoming a feed nutritionist. Reid has been a member of the Illinois Junior Hereford Association for nine years and has served as a director and vice president.
As a junior board member, Reid hopes to get young people more involved since they will soon become leaders in the agriculture industry. He would love to increase the number of youth attending leadership events including the Faces of Leadership Conference.
Rylie Melancon
Rylie Melancon of Woodville, Miss., is the 17-year-old daughter of Ron and Shaunna Melancon. She is a senior in high school and plans on pursuing her passion of reproduction/ embryology. Rylie has been an active member of the Mississippi Junior Hereford Association over the last five years and has served as a regional director.
Serving on the NJHA board would allow Rylie to be a productive leader not only to younger kids, but also kids her age. She possess leadership qualities to accomplish this goal including: self-confidence, communication skills and doing what is right, even when it is not popular.
Samuel Lawrence
Samuel Lawrence of Avilla, Ind., is the 20-year-old son of Scott and Susan Lawrence. He is a junior at Kansas State University where is pursuing a degree in animal science with a business option. After college, Samuel plans on managing the business and sales aspect of an up and coming bull stud and recipient program in central Illinois. He has been a member of the Indiana Junior Hereford Association for thirteen years and served as director as well as held many state offices.
As a NJHA board member, Samuel hopes to serve as a strong leader and mentor to young people like he has done in the past. His communication skills, reliability, time management skills and trustworthy personality lay the foundation for him to accomplish his goal to be a great leader.
Stephanie Golightly
Stephanie Golightly of Bellville, Texas, is the 20 year old daughter of Chris and Anna Krueger. She is a sophomore at Kansas State University and working towards a degree in agriculture economics. After college, she hopes to get back to her roots and assist in her family’s cattle operation while pursuing a career in agriculture finance. Stephanie is a seven year member of the Texas Junior Hereford Association where she has held many state offices and is currently president elect and a junior director.
Her goal as a NJHA board member is to ensure all voices are heard, represented and welcomed. She hopes to help lead this organization to greatness and focus on building a direct and inviting channel of communication between board members and juniors.
Sydney Dvorak
Sydney Dvorak of Lake Andes, S.D., is the 19- year- old daughter of Boyd and Jenni Dvorak. She is a sophomore at South Dakota State University and is pursuing a degree in English education. After college, she hopes to stay in South Dakota and teach middle school English or communication studies. She has been a member of the South Dakota Junior Hereford Association for eleven years and has held many state offices.
If elected as a NJHA board member, Sydney hopes to bring out the passion, tradition and drive in our youth. She hopes to get junior members more involved through things like livestock judging or public speaking. Sydney wants to grow the Faces of Leadership event and connect younger members with more older mentors.
Sydney Downey
Sydney Downey of Turner, Ore., is the 20- year-old daughter of Kerry Bangert. She is a junior at Oklahoma State University and is pursuing a degree in animal science and agriculture communications. After college she hopes to work in public relations for a breed association or veterinary pharmaceutical company. Sydney has been a member of the Oregon Junior Hereford Association for ten years and has served as reporter and president.
As a NJHA board member, Sydney hopes to see the industry change the lives of junior exhibitors as it has done for her. She hopes to get peewee and junior members more involved by having a leadership seminar at junior nationals directed towards a younger age group. As for the older members, she would love to provide incentive for states to send more members to Faces of Leadership Conference in the future.
Wade Minihan
Wade Minihan of Wheaton, Kan., is the 20-year-old son of Mark and Carol Minihan. He is a junior at Fort Hays State University where he is pursuing a degree in agriculture business. He plans on furthering his education by receiving his master’s degree to follow. He has been a member of the Kansas Junior Hereford Association for three years where he served as a director.
As a member of the NJHA board, Wade would like to get more youth involved in the contests at Junior Nationals. He also wants to make new members feel more comfortable by being an encouraging voice and a helping hand.
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