July 17, 2024
The Hereford Junior Golden Bull Award Recipients (l to r): Aidyn Barber, Channing, Texas; Joseph Schohr, Oroville, Calif.; Wyatt McIntyre, Leedey, Okla.; and Harlee Watson, Flemingsburg, Ky.
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — The Hereford Junior Golden Bull Award recipients were announced at the 2024 VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE), “The Grand Daddy of ’Em All” during the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) Scholarship, Award and Maroon Jacket Ceremony on July 11 in Grand Island, Neb. Junior Golden Bull Awards are given to high-achieving students in ninth through 12th grades. The winners received a coveted bronze Hereford bull statue..
This award program is unique to the National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) and recognizes those members who go above and beyond in the Hereford breed, the agricultural industry and their communities.
“The NJHA offers wonderful opportunities for the youth because they see the value in preparing the next generation,” said Harlee Watson, 12th grade Junior Golden Bull Award recipient. “The youth of the NJHA are better ready to lead the agricultural industry because of all that the NJHA offers us.”
The 2024 award winners are as follows:
9th grade – Wyatt McIntyre, Leedey, Okla.
10th grade – Joseph Schohr, Oroville, Calif.
11th grade – Aidyn Barber, Channing, Texas.
12th grade – Harlee Watson, Flemingsburg, Ky.
Wyatt McIntyre, Leedey, Okla.
Wyatt McIyntre just finished up his first year at Leedey High School. McIyntre enjoys showing and fitting Hereford cattle, judging livestock and attending the NJHA Faces of Leadership Conference. He has future goals to attend college, pursue an animal science degree and judge collegiately during his undergraduate studies. “The NJHA activities have made me really see that I want agriculture to be my future,” McIyntre said.
Joseph Schohr, Oroville, Calif.
Joseph Schohr says that as a fourth-generation Hereford breeder, he cannot remember a time where the Hereford breed was not a part of his heart. The Gridley High School sophomore is currently ranked number one in his class and will graduate with an associate’s degree in agricultural business from Butte College when he graduates from high school.
After graduation, he plans to attend a four-year university to study animal science while judging livestock at the collegiate level, with hopes to become an embryologist. “Each day I recall that little kid who had waited his whole life to step into a showring,” Schohr said.
Schohr credits the NJHA with continuing to lead him to achieve the dreams of his 3-year-old self.
Aidyn Barber, Channing, Texas
Aidyn Barber is a junior at Dumas High School and plans to later attend Texas A&M University and obtain a degree in agricultural communications with a minor in agribusiness. Barber is currently the president-elect of the Texas Junior Hereford Association.
“Being able to witness the incredible impact that the association had on my family played a key part in my eagerness,” Barber said. “I was able to witness the lifelong friendships that they had built, valuable lessons learned and the second family they came to have.”
Outside of her family operation, she spends her days mentoring local kids and helping them kick start their show careers. Barber said the JHNE has instilled crucial life lessons that she will carry forever.
Harlee Watson, Flemingsburg, Ky.
Harlee Watson, a recent graduate of Fleming County High School, is currently serving a three-year term on the NJHA board of directors. Watson plans to attend Butler Community College where she will study agribusiness while judging livestock collegiately. She hopes to attend mortuary school while still managing her family’s farm.
Watson said her favorite events are the Faces of Leadership Conference and Bridging the Gap College and Career Fair, hosted at the JNHE.
“The activities that I have participated in through the NJHA will help me tremendously in the future,” Watson said. “I have been able to make connections and learn more about the agricultural industry, which will allow me to be a better advocate.”
NJHA works to provide its more than 4,000 members with opportunities to further their leadership and education.
“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.”
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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.
