This year marks the 100th Anniversary of Holstein Association USA’s Distinguished Junior Member (DJM) award. Started in 1922, the DJM competition is the longest running contest and the highest honor given to a Junior Holstein member, ages 17 to 21.
“As we reflect back on the past 100 years of the Distinguished Junior Member competition, we see many past DJM finalists have gone on to serve Holstein USA and the dairy industry in significant ways,” says Kelli Dunklee, Holstein Association USA Youth Program Specialist. “We look forward to continuing this special tradition and developing future leaders.”
Holstein Association USA named six National DJM finalists on July 1, 2022, during the National Junior Holstein Convention Awards Banquet in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Congratulations to the 2022 Distinguished Junior Member finalists!
2022 DJM Finalists:
Ryan Allen, Jefferson, Maryland
- Regan Demmer, Peosta, Iowa
- Matthew Gunst, Hartford, Wisconsin
- Hannah Hockerman, Westfield, Wisconsin
- Brian “Mac” McCullough, Juda, Wisconsin
- Blake Wright, Verona, Missouri
DJM judging is a two-part process. Youth members competing put together a book highlighting their Junior Holstein work, activities and projects, breeding program, and personal views. The Junior’s entry book is worth 60 percent of the final score, and the top 12 individuals are named DJM Semifinalists based on their book score.
Phase two of the contest takes place at National Junior Holstein Convention, where the semifinalists are interviewed by a committee of judges. The interview is worth 40 percent of the final score, and the six individuals with the highest combined scores are named DJM finalists.
Young Distinguished Junior Member Finalists
Eight Junior Holstein members ages 9 to 16 were selected as Young Distinguished Junior Member (YDJM) finalists. The applicants were judged on their YDJM books, which highlight their accomplishments and leadership with the Junior Holstein Association and beyond.
The YDJM finalists were recognized during the 2022 National Junior Holstein Convention in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Congratulations to these outstanding Junior Holstein members for their impressive accomplishments!
2022 YDJM Finalists:
- Isaac Folts, North Collins, New York
- Sophia Geppert, Kingdom City, Missouri
- Sophie Griswold, Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania
- Elizabeth Gunst, Hartford, Wisconsin
- Logan Harbaugh, Marion, Wisconsin
- Jenna Larson, Okeechobee, Florida
- Madison Mowrer, Petersburg, Pennsylvania
- Shelby Swanson, Hutchinson, Minnesota
For more information about Holstein Association USA’s youth programs, visit here.
Holstein Association USA, Inc., provides programs, products and services to dairy producers to enhance genetics and improve profitability — including animal identification and ear tags, genomic testing, mating programs, dairy records processing, classification, communication, consulting services, and Holstein semen.
The Association, headquartered in Brattleboro, VT., represents approximately 25,000 members throughout the United States. To learn more about Registered Holsteins® and the other exciting programs offered by the Holstein Association, visit Holstein USA, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.