GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — The 2024 Prospect Award winners were announced at the 25th annual VitaFerm^® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE), “The Grand Daddy of ’Em All” awards ceremony on July 11 in Grand Island, Neb. The Prospect Award program recognizes junior members involved in the Hereford breed and agricultural industry along with their communities and schools. Prospect Awards are given to the most active and dedicated students in third through eighth grades.

Through this award program, juniors are able to showcase their hard work both in and outside of the showring while learning professional skills they will carry with them well beyond the JNHE. 

“The NJHA and American Hereford Association (AHA) work together to build a pipeline of industry leaders, and this starts at an early age with the Prospect and Junior Golden Bull Awards programs,” said Amy Cowan, AHA director of youth activities and foundation. “The NJHA is excited to have a record- high number of applicants this year for these prestigious awards, and we salute all of the winners and can’t wait to watch them continue to do big things in the Hereford breed.”

The 2024 award winners are as follows:

Prospect Award third-fifth grades 

Third grade – Cooper Acheson, Wichita, Kan.

Fourth grade – Caroline Wagner, Hull, Iowa

Fifth grade – Crayton Chapman, Seneca, Ill.

Cooper Acheson, Wichita, Kan.

Cooper Acheson finished third grade and is just beginning his journey with the NJHA, but that is not holding him back. Acheson is passionate about raising and showing Hereford cattle, and participates in the NJHA Fed Steer Shootout, Hereford bowl and football. “When I grow up I want to play in the NFL and raise Hereford cattle. The teamwork and leadership skills I learn through the NJHA will make me a good teammate,” Acheson said. “Everything I learned will help me raise cattle on my own one day and continue to carry on the Hereford tradition.” 

Caroline Wagner, Hull, Iowa,

Fourth grader, Caroline Wagner, has spent all of her life surrounded by the Hereford breed. Wagner said she has been inspired by her mom and aunt to do big things within the NJHA, and she loves to raise and show Herefords just like they did. 

“Now having a herd of our own, I have my own drive and passion to have cattle that I am proud of and genetics that will keep up the high industry standards,” Wagner said. 

She hopes to participate in even more JNHE events as she gets older and has dreams to one day serve on the NJHA board of directors.

Crayton Chapman, Seneca, Ill.

Crayton Chapman recently completed fifth grade and enjoys speech contests, judging livestock and showing Hereford cattle. Chapman said he cannot wait to see where the NJHA takes him as he grows older and can participate in even more events.

“Now that I am a little bit older, I am finally able to understand what it really means to be a part of the Hereford breed,” Chapman said. “The lessons I can learn from this program will help me for many years, and I plan to keep growing my own herd and selling feeder calves to save money for college.” 

He expressed that while he was hesitant to show his first Hereford heifer, he trusted his dad and is so thankful he did. 

Prospect Award sixth-eighth grades 

Sixth grade – Josie Beltz, Canton, Kan.

Seventh grade – Jarrett Worrell, Mason, Texas

Eighth grade – Hadley Harrison, Montague, Calif. 

Josie Beltz, Canton, Kan.

Josie Beltz just completed sixth grade and is attending her fourth junior nationals this year. For years, while she looked up to the NJHA board of directors and her older brother, she could not wait to start her own journey during JNHE. Not only does she love to show, but Beltz is determined to compete in almost every contest offered. 

“I love being involved in the livestock industry, anywhere from exhibiting my cattle at all levels to the judging and speech contests,” Beltz said. “As I continue my NJHA career, I hope to compete in every JNHE until I age out.” 

Her ultimate goal is to one day be on the NJHA board of directors and encourage others members, like they do her. 

Jarret Worrell

Jarret Worrell, Mason, Texas, recently finished in seventh grade and just retired as a 2021-2023 Texas Junior Polled Hereford Association director. He is passionate about judging livestock and competing in all events the JNHE offers. He loves showing Hereford cattle, but he loves raising them even more. 

“My goal is to raise the grand champion bred and owned cow-calf pair at the Junior National Hereford Expo,” Worrell said. “If she can win this award, then I am doing something right because, to me, a rancher’s goal should be to raise cows that can raise good calves.”

Hadley Harrison, Montague, Calif.

Hadley Harrison just finished  eighth grade and has been a member of the NJHA for five years. She loves all things JNHE. From showing Hereford cattle to judging livestock and competing in fitting contests — she’s all in.

“Being involved with the NJHA gives me the opportunity to see new areas of the beef industry and hopefully encourage other kids to get involved and see what all NJHA can do for them,” Harrison said. 

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The 2024 VitaFerm^®Junior National Hereford Expo, “The Grand Daddy of ’Em All,” was sponsored in part by BioZyme Inc., St. Joseph, Mo. The National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) is one of the most active junior programs in the country with more than 4,000 members. The NJHA’s mission is to create and promote enthusiasm for the breed while providing opportunities through leadership, education and teamwork. For more information about the NJHA, visit JrHereford.org. 

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