July 17, 2024
Ashlee Eatherton was presented the National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) Advisor of the Year Award by the NJHA Board of Directors at the 2024 VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo.
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. – Ashlee Eatherton, Castle Rock, Wash., was named the National Junior Hereford Association’s (NJHA) Advisor of the Year, during the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) Scholarship, Awards and Maroon Jacket Ceremony on July 12. More than 20 junior members and Washington State Junior Hereford Association (WSJHA) supporters submitted letters of nomination detailing Eatherton’s dedication to Hereford youth. In recognition for her commitment to WSJHA, Eatherton received a leather banner during the ceremony at the 2024 VitaFerm®Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE) in Grand Island, Neb.
As a new, young advisor, Eatherton stepped into the role with enthusiasm and determination to grow the WSJHA. “Ashlee is the sole reason that we, as an association, got to go to junior nationals. She organized and planned our whole trip, while adapting to the needs of our members. Managing the stops, food and hotels of our travels was a role that she took on. Fundraising and other sorts of funding all went through her,” said Edward Gould, WSJHA president. “She is the reason I was able to attend my first junior nationals, and it was an experience I will never forget.”
Brad Gohr, Gohr Cattle Co., spoke highly of Eatherton’s dedication to the role and her impact on junior members. “Ashlee Eatherton has added an element of energy, dedication and timeless devotion to what was a floundering program. Under her leadership, the program in the state of Washington is flourishing and kids are hungry to be involved,” he said.
Eatherton has grown the Washington junior program outside of the showring, as well. “If being one of the advisors for the WSJHA isn’t enough, Ashlee also completely revamped our state’s queen program. The queen program is now something the girls truly look forward to being a part of,” Lauren Balmelli said. “Ashlee encourages the queens to advocate for the Hereford breed at every show and also helps them get to JNHE, whenever possible, to participate in all the queen activities.”
Eatherton is an NJHA alum who chose to give back and continue supporting the NJHA and its members. Each year during the JNHE, the NJHA Advisor of the Year award recognizes an advisor’s contribution to the success of the state association, and ultimately, the NJHA.
###
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.