AJCA Announces Jersey Youth Academy Class 5 - Cowsmo

AJCA Announces Jersey Youth Academy Class 5

Reynoldsburg, Ohio, March 7, 2017—Chris Sorenson, President of the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA), today announced the class for the fifth Jersey Youth Academy, July 9 to 14 in Columbus, Ohio.

AJCA Announces Jersey Youth Academy Class 5“The 30 young people from 20 states selected for this class exemplify the many talented, interested Jersey youth across the United States that our organization wants to encourage to pursue careers in the Jersey dairy business,” Sorenson said.

“Building upon Jersey youth programs initiated six decades ago,” he continued, “the Jersey Youth Academy is an intensive educational program focused specifically on the Jersey cow and the many elements of the Jersey dairy business. Academy challenges participants to understand the long history and recent growth of the Jersey breed in this country and shows them the opportunities and challenges of the dairy business in the future.”

Participants in the fifth Jersey Youth Academy, with their current academic institutions, are:

California: Carly Olufs, Petaluma (Oklahoma State University); Steven B. Pozzi, Petaluma (California State University, Fresno); Cort Rowley, Visalia (Golden West High School).

Georgia: Elli Hayes, Dalton (Berry College); Katelyn Ann Pitchford, Clermont (North Hall High School and University of North Georgia).

Kansas: Erin Leach, Linwood (Basehor-Linwood High School).

Kentucky: Korri Ann Briggs, Campbellsville (University of Kentucky).

Lousiana: Megan C. Mincey, Denham Springs (Denham Springs High School).

Maryland: Catherine T. Savage, Dickerson (Poolesville High School).

Michigan: Skylar Paige Buell, Temperance (The Ohio State University).

Minnesota: Ellen Harth, Hinckley (Hinckley Finlayson High School).

Missouri: Tucker Peterson, Mountain Grove (Kaskaskia College).

New Hampshire: Haley Christie, Langdon (Fall Mountain Regional High School).

New Mexico: Case Schaap, Clovis (Cornell University).

New York: Kathryn M. Bosley, Malone (Franklin Academy High School); Maxwell Chittenden, Schodack Landing (State University of New York at Cobleskill); Katarina Emerich, Mooers (Northeastern Clinton Central School); Kylie Lehr, Canastota (Morrisville-Eaton Middle/High School).

North Carolina: Ethan C. Holland, Olin (North Carolina State University).

Ohio: Jarod E. Herron, Salem (United Local High School); Sarah Schonauer, Killbuck (Tri-County International Academy).

Oregon: Kalli A. Corrick, Albany (South Albany High School).

Pennsylvania: Jaydyn Isiminger, Union City (Union City High School); Wesley Noble, Gillett (family farming); Willow Voegtlen, Columbia Cross Roads (Alfred State College).

Rhode Island: Margaret LaPrise, Exeter (Exeter-West Greenwich Regional High School).
Tennessee: Allison Massey, Wartrace (Motlow State Community College).

Texas: Breanna C. Bowen, Como (Como-Pickson CISD).

Wisconsin: Samantha J. Schuessler, Antigo (Antigo High School); Kaila Wussow, Cecil (University of Wisconsin-River Falls).

Twenty of the 30 individuals selected will be enrolled in college for the fall of 2017. The others will either be high school seniors or engaged in dairy farming. Applications were evaluated by a committee appointed by Sorenson and chaired by AJCA Director Ed Kirchdoerfer. Selection was based on merit, motivation and preparation for the program as reflected in the written application and goal statement.

Keynote speaker for the fifth Jersey Youth Academy will be James Ahlem, Chairman of Hilmar Cheese Company & Ingredients and past President of National All-Jersey Inc. Presenters will include representatives of key support agencies and allied industry. The group will also meet and interact with leaders from the Jersey community to gain their unique insights about the future of the dairy business with a specific focus on the Jersey cow.

All program costs, including round-trip transportation for participants, are paid by the Academy.

The Jersey Youth Academy is a 501(c)(3) educational foundation administered by the American Jersey Cattle Association. Contributors represent a broad spectrum of Jersey breeder and dairy industry support.

Organized in 1868, the American Jersey Cattle Association has sponsored educational programs and activities for young people interested in the Jersey breed since 1917. Junior members have the same registration privileges as Lifetime Members, and also the incentives of a comprehensive program leading to national recognition for their achievements with Jersey cattle. These programs include:

  • Free membership in the association until the youth’s 21st birthday;
  • the National Jersey Youth Production Contest and Pot O’Gold Sale, which create incentives for keeping production and management records;
  • the National Jersey Youth Achievement Contest, the ultimate recognition for Jersey youth between the ages of 16 and 20;
  • more than $25,000 in scholarships and awards that help pay for college studies and hands-on work experiences;
  • The All American Junior Jersey Show, providing the thrill of competition in the largest show of Registered Jerseys™ in the world and introductions to lifelong friends from across the United States; and
  • Jersey Youth Academy, an intensive educational program to be held for the fifth time in 2017 in Columbus, Ohio.

For more information, contact the American Jersey Cattle Association by writing 6486 E. Main Street, Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068-2362, visit its web site at USJersey.com, or connect on Facebrook.

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