Grand Island, Neb. – National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) members polished up their resumes for the  future professionals contest and the Bridging The Gap college and career fair during the 25th anniversary of the VitaFerm^® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE), “The Grand Daddy of ’Em All” held July 8, in Grand Island, Neb.

Junior members  used the feedback they received during the future professionals contest to perfect their resumes for future career and scholarship opportunities. The participants’ resumes were judged prior to the JNHE, and the top-five applicants competed in an in-person interview to decide the final placings. Seniors participated in a mock job interview, while intermediate members practiced scholarship interviews. 

Kaylee Lunsford, Fort Scott, Kan., won the senior division of the future professionals contest, and Kade Boatman, Rockford, Ill., topped the intermediate division.

In addition to the future professionals contest, the JNHE hosted its annual Bridging the Gap college and career fair. NJHA members of all ages visited with university representatives and industry professionals to hone their networking skills, learn about higher education and set career goals. 

“Bridging the Gap is a fantastic event; it is a great way for us at Kansas State University to talk to potential students — both undergraduate and graduate,” says Angie Denton, Kansas State University Department of Animal Sciences and Industry communications coordinator. “Bridging the Gap is one of the best recruiting events we go to as a team.”

The Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) collaborates with the NJHA to create multiple educational contests and events during JNHE to build upon their pillars of  scholarship, leadership, education and research.

Download press release package

### 

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.