KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Hereford youth were awarded numerous scholarships during the 2017 VitaFerm Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE) in Louisville, Ky. Scholarship monies totaled nearly $30,000 for junior members to aid in their academic endeavors.

Prospect, Junior Golden Bull and Golden Bull Achievement Awards

The Prospect and Golden Bull Awards recognize individuals for their involvement in the Hereford industry, agriculture and their communities. The National Hereford Women (NHW) and the NJHA sponsor these awards. Prospect Awards go to students in third through eighth grades and Junior Golden Bull Awards to students in ninth through 12th grades. Prospect Award winners are given a leather halter with nameplate while the Junior Golden Bull Award winners receive a bronze Hereford bull statue. The Golden Bull Achievement Award is given to college-aged students. Like the juniors, these students also receive a statue as well as a scholarship.

Prospect Award


Third grade – Kristin Waters, Norborne, Mo.

Fourth grade – Sarah Birdsall, Homer, N.Y.

Fifth grade – Chase Harker, Hope, Ind.

Sixth grade – Sam Birdsall, Homer, N.Y.

Seventh grade – Rianna Chaney, Elwood, Neb.

Eighth grade – Lauren Jones, Darlington, Wis.

Junior Golden Bull Award


Ninth grade – Wesley Denton, Blue Rapids, Kan.

10th grade – Regan Mitchem, Vale, N.C.

11th grade – Nicholas Torrance, Media, Ill.

12th grade – Amy Larson, Tecumseh, Okla.

Golden Bull Achievement Award

KC Barnes, Hulbert, Okla., $1,875

Harley Rogers, Hamilton, Texas, $1,875

Parker Cantrell, Collinsville, Okla., $1,875

Katie Nolles, Bassett, Neb., $1,875

John Wayne Memorial Scholarship

John Wayne Memorial Scholarships are awarded to juniors who surpass the norm with their contributions to agriculture and the Hereford industry, as well as their moral character. The Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) and the NHW sponsor the scholarships annually.

Jessica Middleswarth, Torrington, Wyo., $1,000

Mason Blinson, Buies Creek, N.C., $1,000

Ed Bible Memorial Scholarship

The Ed Bible Memorial Scholarships are designed to help finance higher education for NJHA members who have a passion and talent for communication as well as stellar leadership skills and involvement in the Hereford industry. Bible joined the American Polled Hereford Association staff in 1973 and for 25 years supported the senior, junior and Poll-ette associations. Because of his positive influence on the Hereford industry, the NHW and the HYFA offer four annual scholarships in his honor.

First place – Jessica Middleswarth, Torrington, Wyo., $1,000

Second place – Kelsey Stimpson, Melba, Idaho, $750

Third place – Miranda Stotz, Skiatook, Okla., $500

Fourth place – Austin Matheny, Mays Lick, Ky., $250

National Junior Merit Award

The junior merit scholarship annually recognizes exceptional junior members for their dedication to bettering the Hereford industry. The scholarship program is designed to encourage individual and cooperative effort, enthusiasm, excellence, leadership and achievement among youth in order to develop reputable breeders for the good of the Hereford business and beef industry. The winner receives an expense-paid trip to a Hereford operation in the continental U.S. sponsored by American Livestock Inc. as well as a scholarship.

First place – Mason Blinson, Buies Creek, N.C., $2,000 plus trip

Second place – Kendi Sayre, Arenzville, Ill., $1,250

Third place – Jordan Spindle, Moriarty, N.M., $1,250

Hereford Herdsman Scholarship

Sponsored by the HYFA in cooperation with Hereford herdsmen, these scholarships recognize the value in NJHA members who take great pride in exhibiting their Hereford cattle and provide a scholarship to award their dedication to the breed.

Mason Blinson, Buies Creek, N.C, $1,000

Miranda Stotz, Skiatook, Okla., $1,000

Joe and Walter Lewis High Point Senior Award
This scholarship award honors junior members for overall achievement in various facets of NJHA. Junior members are selected based on a point system for NJHA programs and activities weighted heavily on leadership, teamwork, skills and competition.

First place – Katie Nolles, Bassett, Neb., $500

Poll-ette Founders Scholarship

The HYFA funds the Poll-ette Founders scholarship and the award is managed through the NHW. It recognizes juniors who have made significant contributions to NJHA during their time as a junior. Additionally, the scholarship honors the women who laid the foundation for the National Organization of Poll-ettes, which combined with the American Hereford Women in 2009 to form the NHW.

Katie Nolles, Bassett, Neb., $1,000

Kelsey Stimpson, Melba, Idaho, $1,000

Bud Snidow Award

NHW sponsors the the B.C. “Bud” Snidow Award is sponsored and the award is presented annually to a commendable NJHA member who demonstrates the characteristics most admired by Snidow. Those qualities include honesty, fairness, hard work, enthusiasm and dedication to the Hereford breed and its breeders. The recipient receives a hand-crafted belt buckle.

Annah Dobson, Johnson Creek, Wis.

Charles E. Boyd Sr., Memorial Scholarship

Charles E. Boyd Sr., was a third-generation Hereford breeder who mentored youth in the agriculture industry. Throughout his lifetime, he was recognized on a local, state and national level for his accomplishments. He was a prominent beef cattle judge at all major livestock shows and exhibited several international and national champion Hereford cattle. Selflessly giving to others without recognition is how he lived his life. The Charles E. Boyd Sr., Memorial Scholarship will continue to help young people in the Hereford Breed who plan to go to college and pursue a degree in agriculture.

Katie Nolles, Bassett, Neb., $1,500

Bluegrass and Buckeye Scholarship

The Ohio and Kentucky Hereford Associations along with HYFA sponsor the Bluegrass and Buckeye Scholarship through excess funds from the 2006 JNHE in Louisville, Ky. The scholarship’s goal is to provide recognition for one outstanding member of the NJHA. In order to receive the honor, applicants must first be nominated by their state junior association advisor.

Miranda Stotz, Skiatook, Okla., $1,500

KC Barnes, 22, is the son of Kent and Diana Barnes. He has been a member of the NJHA and the Junior Hereford Association of Oklahoma (JHAO) for 12 years. KC served as the president of the JHAO in 2013 and was a member of the 2015 Oklahoma State University (OSU) meats judging team. He will start his senior year at OSU in the fall. KC received the Golden Bull Achievement Award.


Sam Birdsall, 12, is the son of Dennis and Heather Birdsall. He has been a member of the NJHA for 10 years and the New York Junior Hereford Association (NYJHA) for six years where he serves as the vice president. Sam has competed at six JNHEs. He was also the champion junior showman of all breeds at the 2016 New York State Fair. Sam won the sixth-grade Junior Prospect Award.


Sarah Birdsall, 9, is the daughter of Denis and Heather Birdsall. She has been a member of the NJHA and the New York Junior Hereford Association (NYJHA) for six years. Sarah is the 2017 treasurer for NYJHA. She competed in the public speaking contest at the 2016 JNHE and was the 2016 champion peewee showman at the New York State Fair. Sarah won the fourth-grade Prospect Award.


Mason Blinson, 19, is the daughter of Bryan and Beth Blinson. She has been a member of the NJHA for 11 years and the North Carolina Junior Hereford Association (NCJHA) for 14 years. Mason serves on the NJHA Board of Directors and is the 2017 fundraising chair. She will begin her sophomore year at Oklahoma State University in the fall. Mason won the first place National Junior Merit Award, the Hereford Herdsman Scholarship and the John Wayne Memorial Scholarship.


Parker Cantrell, 18, has been a member of NJHA and Junior Hereford Association of Oklahoma for 8 years. Parker was active in the Oklahoma FFA Association and served as his chapter’s vice president in 2016-17. He exhibited the reserve champion junior AI (artificial insemination) bull at the 2013 JNHE. Parker won the Golden Bull Achievement Award.


Rianna Chaney, 13, is the daughter of Becky and Lee Chaney. She has been involved in NJHA for six years and has also been involved with the Maryland Junior Hereford Association (MJHA) and the Nebraska Junior Hereford Association. Rianna has competed in every state and national showmanship contest since she started showing Herefords in 2011 and was the reserve champion showman at the 2016 Nebraska Junior State Hereford Show in 2016. Rianna won the seventh-grade Junior Prospect Award.


Wesley Denton, 15, is the son of John and Angie Denton. He has been an active member of the NJHA and the Kansas Junior Hereford Association (KJHA) since 2009. He has attended eight JNHEs. Wesley has competed in team sales, marketing, illustrated speech, Hereford bowl, photography and judging as a junior member in addition to showing. He is a fourth-generation Hereford breeder and exhibited the champion Hereford steer at the 2016 Kansas Junior Livestock Show. Wesley won the ninth-grade Golden Bull award.


Annah Dobson, 18, is the daughter of Roger and Rachelanne Dobson. She has been involved in the NJHA and the Wisconsin Junior Hereford Association (WJHA). She has served as the Wisconsin Hereford Queen and currently is serving as the 2017 National Hereford Queen. She has also held several offices in the WJHA including secretary and vice president. Annah won the B.C. “Bud” Snidow Award.


Chase Harker, 11, is the son of Dan and Jill Harker. He has been a member of the NJHA and Indiana Junior Hereford Association for four years. He competed in the JNHE showmanship contest four times and exhibited the reserve division II bred-and-owned female at the 2016 JNHE. Chase has participated in the livestock judging, photography and CHB Grill-Off contests. He won the fifth-grade Junior Prospect Award.


Lauren Jones, 13, is the daughter of BJ and Kim Jones. Lauren has been a member of the NJHA and Wisconsin Junior Hereford Association (WJHA) for seven years. She is currently serving as the 2017-18 WJHA membership secretary. Lauren was a member of the 2016 junior national planning committee and was a member of the 2017 JNHE Champion Fitting Team. Lauren won the eighth-grade Senior Prospect Award.


Amy Larson, 17, is the daughter of Cynthia and David Larson. She has been a member of the NJHA and Junior Hereford Association of Oklahoma for 11 years. She has served as the southeast district director and reporter for the JHAO. Amy has competed in showmanship contests for nine years and was named the Champion Hereford Senior Showman at the 2017 Oklahoma Youth Expo. Amy won the 12th grade Junior Golden Bull Award.


Austin Matheny, 21, is the son of Andrew and Suzanne Matheny. He will be a senior at Kansas State University in the fall. Austin is studying animal science with a business option and hopes to return to the family Hereford operation one day. He and his family operate Matheny Herefords, which he hopes to expand after graduation. At the 2016 JNHE, his ninth JNHE, Austin was elected onto the NJHA board and won Hereford Junior Herdsman of the Year. He will serve as the 2017-18 membership chair on the NJHA board of directors. Austin won the fourth-place Ed Bible Memorial Scholarship.


Jessica Middleswarth, 21, is the daughter of Jay and Marsha Middleswarth. She has been a NJHA and Wyoming Junior Hereford Association (WJHA) member for 12 years. Jessica served on the NJHA board of directors, was the 2016-17 NJHA vice president and retired her jacket at the 2017 JNHE. She also served as the WJHA president in 2013. She will be a senior this fall at Oklahoma State University. Jessica won the first place Ed Bible Memorial Scholarship and the John Wayne Memorial Scholarship.


Regan Mitchem, 15, is the daughter of Wayne Mitchem and Crystal Kirby. She has been a member of the NJHA and North Carolina Junior Hereford Association for four years. Regan currently serves as the North Carolina Hereford Princess. She is also actively involved in the Lincoln County 4-H and has been a member for 11 years. Regan won the 10th grade Junior Golden Bull Award.


Katie Nolles, 21, is the daughter of Mike and Trudy Nolles. She has been a member of the NJHA and Nebraska Junior Hereford Association for 10 years. She served as the 2015 National Hereford Queen and has served as the vice president, secretary, historian and director of the Nebraska Junior Hereford Association. Additionally, Katie served as the 2015-16 vice president of the Nebraska FFA Association. She will be a junior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the fall studying agricultural education.


Harley Rogers, 19, is the daughter of Keith and Cindy Rogers. She has been involved in the NJHA for 17 years and the Texas Junior Hereford Association (TJHA) and Texas Junior Polled Hereford Association (TJPHA) for 15 years. She served as the 2014-15 president of the TJPHA. Harley has participated in four PRIDE Leadership Conventions and has shown at every Texas state Hereford show and JNHE since 2004. Harley won the Golden Bull Achievement Award.


Kendi Sayre, 21, is the daughter of Tim and Tracie Sayre. She has been showing Hereford cattle for 14 years in the Illinois Junior Hereford Association (IJHA) and the National Junior Hereford Association. She has been named the Illinois State Fair premier herdsman six times. She participated on the livestock judging team at Lincoln Land Community College and will be transferring to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the fall to begin her junior year of college. Kendi won the second-place National Junior Merit Award.


Jordan Spindle, 20, is the daughter of Tom and Becky Spindle. She has been a member of NJHA for eight years and the New Mexico Hereford Junior Association (NMHJA) for 11 years. Jordan was the past New Mexico Hereford Queen and princess. She will be a junior at Eastern New Mexico University in the fall. Jordan won the third-place National Junior Merit Award.


Kelsey Stimpson, 20, is the daughter of Danny and Katie Stimpson. She served as the 2016-17 chairman of the NJHA and has been a member of the association for 12 years. She was also a member of the Idaho Junior Livestock Association. Kelsey exhibited the American Hereford Association (AHA) show heifer of the year in 2008 and again in 2013. She will be starting her senior year at Oklahoma State University in the fall. Kelsey won Poll-ette Founders Scholarship and a second-place Ed Bible Memorial Scholarship.


Miranda Stotz, 22, is the daughter of Max and Karen Stotz. She has been a member of the NJHA and Junior Hereford Association of Oklahoma (JHAO) for 13 years. Miranda was a top-10 senior showman at the 2017 JNHE and won the Champion Intermediate Showman title at the 2013 JNHE. Miranda will be senior at Tarleton State University in the fall. She won the Hereford Herdsman Scholarship, Bluegrass and Buckeye Scholarship and the third-place Ed Bible Memorial Scholarship.


Nicholas Torrance, 14, is the son of Scott and Monica Torrance. He has been a member of the NJHA for eight years and a member of the Illinois Junior Hereford Association (IJHA) for six years. Nicholas has served as a director for the IJHA for two years. In addition to showing, he has participated in Hereford Bowl and livestock judging at JNHE. Nicholas won the 11th grade Junior Golden Bull Award.


Kristin Waters, 8, is the daughter of Glen and Kyla Waters. She has been a member of the NJHA and Missouri Junior Hereford Association (MJHA) for five years. She served on the MJHA meals committee for the 2016 JNHE and was a peewee participant in showmanship and livestock judging at the 2016 JNHE. Kristin won the third-grade Junior Prospect Award.


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The 2017 VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo was sponsored in part by BioZyme Inc., St. Joseph, Mo. The NJHA is one of the most active junior programs in the country with approximately 3,000 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 www.jrhereford.org.

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