Four National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) members were elected to the NJHA board of directors at the 2019 VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE) July 6-13 in Denver.

Noah Benedict, Dewey, Ill.; Bailey Morrell, Willows, Calif.; Wyatt Lawrence, Princeton, Minn.; and Luke Daniels, Dalhart, Texas, were welcomed in their maroon jackets as the new NJHA directors during the Thursday evening awards ceremony July 11.

The 2019-20 officer team includes chairman Taylor Belle Matheny, Mays Lick, Ky.; vice chairman Rylee Barber, Channing, Texas; communications chair Hannah Williams, Kearney, Neb.; leadership chair Samuel Lawrence, Avilla, Ind.; fundraising chair Abigail Spindle, Moriarty, N.M.; and membership chair Montana Lawrence, Princeton, Minn. Also serving as directors are Brooklyn Adam, Lathrop, Mo., and Brandt Downing, Culver, Ore.

Two delegates from each junior state Hereford association cast their votes and elected four of the eight candidates in the running for the junior board. The NJHA board is comprised of 12 individuals who serve three-year terms and govern the 3,000-member organization.

Noah Benedict is the 19-year-old son of Chad and Becky Benedict from Dewey, Ill., and is a sophomore at the University of Illinois majoring in agribusiness markets and management. Upon graduation he plans to work in the livestock feed and nutrition industry. Noah has held a variety of leadership roles in 4-H and FFA and is currently a director for the Illinois Junior Hereford Association. He earned the NJHA Golden Bull Achievement Scholarship in 2018.

Bailey Morrell is the 18-year-old daughter of Barry and Carrie Morrell from Willows, Calif., and is a sophomore at Colorado State University (CSU) majoring in agriculture education with a concentration in agriculture literacy. After graduation she plans to earn an agricultural law degree. She has held a variety of offices and leadership roles through her involvement in 4-H and FFA. While at CSU she served as the College of Agriculture Sciences associate senator, the Block and Bridle Club vice president, the Collegiate Livestock Association secretary and is an Agriculture Ambassador.

Wyatt Lawrence is the 19-year-old son of Bryan and Marytina Lawrence from Princeton, Minn., and is a sophomore at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities majoring in agribusiness with a minor in animal science. After graduating, his dream is to return home to work alongside his father and grandfather on the family operation. In high school, Wyatt held leadership positions in both athletics and arts. He has also been active in his church for the past 10 years. He is currently the Minnesota Junior Hereford Board secretary.

Luke Daniels is the 17-year-old son of Scanlon and Angela Daniels from Dalhart, Texas, and is a senior at Dalhart High School. After graduation he plans to attend a junior college before majoring in pre-veterinary science. Luke has been an active member of the Texas Junior Hereford Association and has been a director for the past six years. He has been involved in student council, 4-H and FFA and has held several leadership roles in each program. He is also a member of the National Honor Society.