MADISON, Wis. – The National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) and the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) hosted hybrid skills-based speaking contests, illustrated speaking and advanced speaking, during the 2023 VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE), “Mad Dash to the Hereford Bash,” on July 9 in Madison, Wis. 

 These contests allow HYFA and NJHA to carry out their joint mission of promoting leadership and education. This year’s contests featured both virtual and in-person presentations. 

Illustrated speech 

The illustrated speech contest encourages public speaking, leadership abilities and develops character in Hereford youth. The contest builds the skills needed for NJHA members to promote both the beef industry and Hereford breed. The National Hereford Women (NHW) partners with the NJHA to sponsor this contest.

This year’s top placings in the illustrated speech contest are as follows.

Peewee: 

1. Landon Pesek, Western, Neb.
2. Libby Pérez, Nara Visa, N.M. 
3. Braxton Lockhart, Caldwell, Texas

Junior: 

1. Faith Benedict, Dewey, Ill.
2. Jarrett Worrell, Mason, Texas
3. Quinn Breiner, Pratt, Kan. 

Advanced speech 

Like the illustrated speech contest, the advanced speech contest encourages young people to promote the breed and beef industry by honing their public speaking skills. The advanced speech contest requires finalists to think on their feet with an extemporaneous speech portion, in which young leaders only have 30 minutes to prepare a speech on an assigned topic. The NHW sponsors this contest, as well.

This year’s top placings in the advanced speech contest are as follows.

Intermediate: 

1.  Tessa Smith, Hubertus, Wis. 
2.  Taylor Marrs, Macomb, Okla.

Senior: 

1.  Madison Sifford, Goldvein, Va.
2.  Emma Ballinger, McKee, Ky.
3.  Devon Lockhart, Caldwell, Texas

Exhibitors from 38 states and Canada plan to participate in the JNHE,  “Mad Dash to the Hereford Bash,”  July 8-14. More than 500 NJHA members are excited to participate in educational and leadership programs throughout the week-long event. Contests range from the future professionals and Hereford bowl to cattle judging and fitting. Thanks to the HYFA, these educational and scholarship opportunities are made possible.

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The 2023 VitaFerm®Junior National Hereford Expo,  “Mad Dash to the Hereford Bash,” 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.