KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Three interns recently joined Team Hereford for the summer. The American Hereford Association (AHA) welcomed Denver Drake, Greenville, Texas; Hannah McElrath, Calhoun, Ga.; and Riley Greiten, Midlothian, Texas, to Kansas City on May 6.   

Denver Drake – Youth Activities Intern

Denver Drake is serving as one of two youth activities interns this summer. Drake is currently a senior at Texas Tech University (TTU) where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications with a minor in public relations and strategic communications.

            During her time at TTU, Drake has been involved in many organizations and internships outside of the classroom. She is an active member of the TTU Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow. Prior to her time in Kansas City, Drake served as a marketing intern at ICEV Marketing, as well as a livestock intern for the State Fair of Texas.

            This summer, Drake will assist the National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) with the planning and execution of the 25^th annual VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE). She will work alongside staff to carry out various projects for the JNHE and other youth events.

            “I could not be more thankful or excited to be here in Kansas City with the NJHA this summer,” Drake says. “I grew up showing Hereford cattle and this internship has been a dream of mine for years.”

Hannah McElrath – Youth Activities Intern

Hannah McElrath will be working alongside Drake this summer as a youth activities intern. McElrath is a senior at Texas A&M University (TAMU) where she is studying agricultural communications. Prior to her studies at TAMU, McElrath earned her associate degree in agricultural communications from Northern Oklahoma College (NOC).

            McElrath is an active member of the TAMU livestock judging team and a former member of the NOC livestock judging team. Aside from livestock judging, McElrath has completed multiple internships across the nation, recently serving as a livestock intern at the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE). McElrath has also interned at the State Fair of Texas, the American Junior Maine-Anjou and Chianina Associations and the International Brangus Association.

            “Growing up, I always looked up to the NJHA board and staff,” McElrath says. “I am excited to be a part of such and impactful organization.”

            Serving as a youth activities intern, McElrath will assist with all NJHA events, including the JNHE and the Faces of Leadership conference.

Riley Greiten – HPI and AHA Communications Intern

Riley Greiten is joining the AHA for her second summer serving as the Hereford Publications Inc. (HPI) and AHA communications intern. Greiten recently earned her bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications from TTU and will be attending Oklahoma State University (OSU) this fall to pursue a master’s degree in agricultural communications.

            While at TTU, Greiten was active inside and outside of the classroom. Most recently, she served as a livestock media intern at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. Aside from her time in San Antonio, Greiten also interned at H-E-B and the 6666 Ranch.

            “I am beyond grateful to be back with the AHA this summer,” says Greiten. “Serving as the AHA communications and HPI intern last summer was an outstanding experience, and I am excited to be working alongside the talented staff again this year.”

            In her role this summer, she will complete various communications and HPI projects. She will assist with social media content creation, email marketing projects and event planning for the 2025 World Hereford Conference. Additionally, Greiten will write stories and provide photography for the Hereford World and Baldy Advantage publications.

            The AHA is excited to welcome another group of summer interns into the office. To learn more about the summer internship programs please visit Hereford.org – applications open in the fall every year.

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The American Hereford Association, with headquarters in Kansas City, Mo., is one of the largest U.S. beef breed associations. The not-for-profit organization along with its subsidiaries — Certified Hereford Beef (CHB) LLC, Hereford Publications Inc. (HPI) and American Beef Records Association (ABRA) — provides programs and services for its members and their customers, while promoting the Hereford breed and supporting education, youth and research. For press releases and photos, visit Hereford.org/media.