Young Holstein enthusiasts showcased their expertise during the Dairy Bowl, Dairy Jeopardy, and Dairy Knowledge Exam competitions at the 2025 National Holstein Convention held June 23-26th in St. Louis, Missouri.
“After watching youth demonstrate their skills during Holstein Foundation contests in St. Louis, it’s clear the future of the dairy industry is bright,” says Jodi Hoynoski, Holstein Foundation Programs Director. “National Junior Holstein Convention gathers youth from around the country that bring so much energy and enthusiasm for the for the dairy industry while making lifelong connections and friends.”
Dairy Jeopardy
Seventy-four contestants from 19 states competed in the Dairy Jeopardy competition. The contest is based on the popular television game show and features a wide range of dairy-related questions in numerous categories. The following are the top three individuals in each age division.
Junior Division (ages 9 to 13)
1st: Abigail Freier, New York
2nd: Abby Yoder, Illinois
3rd: Kinley Martin, California
Intermediate Division (ages 14 to 17)
1st: Atley Shafer, Maryland
2nd: Kyle Ainger, Illinois
3rd: Madison Mowrer, Pennsylvania
Senior Division (ages 18 to 21)
1st: Rachel Craun, Virginia
2nd: Brianna Meyer, Wisconsin
3rd: Madelynn Hoffman, Pennsylvania
Dairy Bowl
In the National Dairy Bowl contest, four-person teams compete within two age divisions: Junior, ages 9-15, and Senior, ages 16-21. The competition was intense this year, with a total of 20 teams from 15 states competing in two divisions.
Facing off in the Junior Division championship match were the teams from California and Wisconsin. Taking home champion honors were the team members from Wisconsin; Audrey Zirbel, Evan Brey, Ian Brick, Alivia Wiese, and coach Peggy Coffeen.
Competing on the California team were Fernando Valadao, Caleb Rocha, Kestin Martin, Abigail Rossow, and coaches Kirsten Areias and Dawn Rocha. Rounding out the top five Junior Dairy Bowl teams were New York in third, New England in fourth, and Pennsylvania in fifth place.
In the Senior Division, New York and Pennsylvania vied for the first-place title. Members of the winning New York team included Bennett Dunstan, William Andrew, Calvin Keller, Kayla Dunstan, and coach Jonathan Taylor.
On the second-place Senior team from Pennsylvania were Alex Coursen, Faith Wolfe, Jillian Anderson, Kurtis Houser, and coach Dr. Bob Cloninger. The team from Illinois took home third place, with Wisconsin following in fourth and New England in fifth.
George & Anna Smith Sportsmanship Awards
The J. George & Anne Amith Sportsmanship awards are given to one Dairy Bowl team in each division who best exemplify the principles of courtesy, friendliness, and team spirit throughout the competition. Each team receives a cash award and plaque.
In the Junior Division, the award was presented to the Utah team, consisting of members Maggie Buttars, Kaislee Walker, Makenna Styler, and coach Isabelle Leonard. In the Senior Division, the honor went to the team from Iowa with members Natalie Hamlett, Hannah Scott, Leo Hammerand, Madalynn Arnold, and coach Jeff Hammerand.
Dairy Knowledge Exam
The Dairy Knowledge Exam is open to any youth attending the National Junior Holstein Convention who wants to challenge their dairy expertise with a 25-question written test. Like Dairy Bowl, youth are divided into two groups by age. The top three individuals in each division for the Dairy Knowledge Exam were as follows.
Junior Division
1st: Fernando Valadao, California
2nd: Trent Greenfield, New York
3rd: Caleb Rocha, California
Senior Division
1st: Ethan Palmer, Iowa
2nd: Hayley Daubert, Virginia
3rd: Rachel Craun, Virginia
Congratulations to all the contestants who participated and found success during the 2025 National Holstein Convention! For more information about Holstein Foundation youth programs, visit www.holsteinfoundation.org, or contact Jodi Hoynoski, Holstein Foundation Programs Director, at jhoynoski@holstein.com.
