Omaha, Neb., (July 10, 2014) – At the 2014 National Junior Shorthorn Show and Conference, held in Louisville, Ky., scholarships were awarded to several deserving individuals. This year, 95 American Junior Shorthorn Association members applied for eight of the scholarships sponsored by the American Shorthorn Association and the Shorthorn Foundation. The scholarships were awarded through the Mike Dugdale Memorial Scholarship, Don Longley Memorial Scholarship, John C. “Jack” Ragsdale Youth Scholarship, Lyle and Kathryn DeWitt Memorial Scholarship, Jesse M. and Jennie S. Duckett Memorial Scholarship, Charles B. “Chuck” Leemon Memorial Scholarship, John Miller Scholarship and Jared and Justin Bedwell Memorial Scholarship.
Of these scholarship recipients, Sarah Moore, of Jerseyville, Ill., was awarded the Mike Dugdale Memorial Scholarship. The Don Longley Memorial Scholarship is a $1000 scholarship awarded to four high school seniors or college freshmen based upon their Shorthorn interest, grades, need, and participation in other activities. The following four deserving individuals received the award: Mitchell Smith, Ind., Kaila Williams, Okla., Dallis VanderWal, S.D., and Adrianne Trennepohl, Ind.
Houston Gillenwater, of Tompkinsville, Ky., was awarded the John C. “Jack” Ragsdale Youth Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to a high school senior or college freshman who is an active member with a sincere interest in learning how to evaluate livestock and an appreciation for the purebred livestock industry.
Haley Alden, of Hamilton, Mo., was awarded the Lyle and Kathryn DeWitt Memorial Scholarship. The Jesse M. and Jennie S. Duckett Scholarship was awarded to Levi Bakenhus, of Columbus, Neb. Receiving the Charles B. “Chuck” Leemon Memorial Scholarship was James R. Johnson, of Niantic, Ill. The new John Miller Scholarship was awarded to Megan Dragstrem, of Amboy, Ind. The Jared and Justin Bedwell Scholarship was awarded to Jacob Raper, of Chandler, Okla.
The Shorthorn family lost one of its long time members with the passing of Michael Dugdale in 2006. Dugdale was involved in the first importation of Irish Shorthorns in the late 70’s and early 80’s. He served both Nebraska and Iowa Shorthorn Associations, holding several offices in each. In the early 80’s, he was elected to the board of directors of the American Shorthorn Association. In his history of being a manager, herd consultant, and order buyer, Dugdale attended hundreds of Shorthorn sales throughout North America and Canada and has purchased untold numbers of Shorthorn cattle. The Shorthorn Foundation funds a memorial scholarship because of his dedication and inspiration to the breed.
Moore is a dedicated Shorthorn member who has exhibited a passion for the Shorthorn breed through being involved with her family and other fellow juniors. Not only has she been involved with Shorthorns, but the agricultural industries as a whole. Moore has, been involved in 4-H, FFA, and CFFA to name a few of her leadership rolls which should guarantee her continued success at the University of Illinois.
The Don Longley Memorial Scholarship is awarded through the Shorthorn Foundation in honor of Don Longley, past publisher of the Shorthorn World magazine. He followed his father’s footsteps and continued the empire of the Shorthorn magazine, insisting his staff attend every Shorthorn show, sale and conference possible in order to bring Shorthorn breeders the most accurate and expansive information of the time. He worked effortlessly to promote the breed, and his greatest delight was to publish a journalistically superior book. The Shorthorn World was never the same after the Longley era, with more than 50 years of father and son work towards the magazine and breed.
Smith is a 19-year-old freshman at Purdue University where he is an Agricultural Econ major. He has been an active member of the Indiana Junior Shorthorn Association, as well as the American Junior Shorthorn Association. Throughout his years he has been actively involved in extracurricular activities including Purdue Agricultural Business Club, Purdue Cattlemen’s Club, FFA and Purdue Agriculture Student Council
Williams is the 18-year-old daughter of Kenneth and the late Deanna Williams of Duncan, Okla. She will be attending Oklahoma State University majoring in Animal Sciences and Agricultural Communications. She has been active in the Oklahoma Junior Shorthorn Association and her FFA chapter. During high school she was heavily involved in many community service activities.
VanderWal is the 18-year-old son of Kevin and Kari VanderWal of Volga, S.D. He is currently a freshman at South Dakota State University majoring in Animal Sciences. At SDSU, VanderWal is a member of FFA and Block and Bridle Club. In high school he was involved in National Honor Society, Basketball, Football, 4-H and FFA. He is also an active member in the South Dakota and American Junior Shorthorn Associations.
Trennepohl is the 18-year-old daughter of Scott and Judy Trennepohl of Middletown, Ind. She will be attending Purdue University majoring in Biochemistry with a minor in Agricultural Marketing. She has been an active member of the Indiana Junior Shorthorn Association where she has served in various leadership positions including president and has been involved in the American Junior Shorthorn Association. Additionally, she has been in 4-H, FFA and school activities.
The recipient of this award should exemplify the qualities of Ragsdale, who is considered by many Shorthorn Breeders to be “Mr. Shorthorn.” Ragsdale, originally from Indiana, has been active in the Shorthorn business his entire life. He was the High Point Individual at the International Livestock Judging Contest in Chicago in 1948, and his high score held the record until 1961. Ragsdale was on the Purdue University Intercollegiate Livestock Judging Team. He began his servitude at the American Shorthorn Association in 1965, where he began a 12-year term on the Board of Directors, eventually being named president. Ragsdale was also instrumental in the inception of the North American International Livestock Exposition, and he also implemented the first Youth Conference for Shorthorn Youth in 1968, which was the start to the American Junior Shorthorn Association. Ragsdale’s portrait is hung in the Purdue University Livestock Hall of Fame in Indiana, and he has also been inducted into the Saddle and Sirloin Portrait Club.
Gillenwater is the 19-year-old son of Timmy and Dana Gillenwater of Tompkinsville, Ky. He is currently a freshman at Western Kentucky University where he is studying Agricultural Education. He has been actively involved and committed to several leadership rolls including the American Junior Shorthorn Association, his local 4-H and FFA chapters and livestock judging.
The DeWitt Scholarship was adopted by the Shorthorn Foundation in memory of Lyle and Kathryn DeWitt and their contributions to the Shorthorn breed. The scholarship is awarded to a high school senior or college freshman who is an active AJSA member, and also based upon grades, need, and participation in other activities.
Alden is the 19-year-old daughter of Ron and Judy Alden, of Hamilton, Mo. She is currently a freshman at the University of Missouri-Columbia, majoring in Agribusiness Management. She is a fifth generation Shorthorn breeder and is a director on the American Junior Shorthorn Association’s Board. Alden is very involved with extra-curricular activities at school by being a member or the Sigma Alpha Professional Sorority and the Mizzou Collegiate Farm Bureau
The Duckett Scholarship was adopted by the Shorthorn Foundation in memory of Jesse M. & Jeanie S. Duckett and their contributions to the Shorthorn breed. The scholarship is awarded to a high school senior or college freshman based upon the applicants’ involvement in agriculture, educational background, ACT scores, and high school and/or college GPA.
Bakenhus is the 18-year-old Son of Ward and Shay Bakenhus. He will attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the fall, majoring in Agribusiness, with a minor in Agricultural Entrepreneurship. He has also been very involved in his high school FFA, county 4-H club, and the Nebraska Junior Shorthorn Association.
The Charles B. “Chuck” Leemon Memorial Scholarship is sponsored by the family of Chuck Leemon in cooperation with the Shorthorn Foundation. The scholarship is awarded to a college student who is an active AJSA member, and also based upon grades, need, and future goals and career plans in agriculture. This year’s recipient is James R. Johnson of Niantic, Ill.
Johnson is the 18-year-old son of Philip and Nancy Johnson of Niantic, Ill. He has been actively involved and committed to several leadership rolls including the American Junior Shorthorn Association, his local 4-H and FFA chapters and livestock judging
The John Miller Scholarship is sponsored by the John Miller Family in cooperation with the Shorthorn Foundation. The scholarship was established this year by the family to help support younger American Junior Shorthorn Association members. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a college student who is an active AJSA member, and also based upon need and participation in other activities
Dragstrem is the 18-year-old daughter of Robert and Elaine Dragstrem of Amboy, Ind. She plans on attending Ivy Tech Community College and then transferring to Kansas State where she will major in Animal Sciences, minoring in Agricultural Business.
The Jared and Justin Bedwell Memorial Scholarship is sponsored by the Bedwell Family of Isabella, Okla., in cooperation with the Shorthorn Foundation. The scholarship was established by the family to honor the memory of the brothers, who were both active AJSA members. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a high school senior or college student who is an active AJSA member, and also based upon need and participation in other activities.
Raper is the 19-year-old son of Cheryl Raper of Chandler, Okla. He has been an active member of 4-H, FFA, Redlands Community College Beef Team, Phi Beta Kappa, Oklahoma Junior Shorthorn Association and the American Junior Shorthorn Association. He is currently a freshman at Redlands Community College majoring in Animal Sciences, minoring in marketing.
Applications for the 2015 scholarships are due May 1, 2015, to the ASA office located in Omaha, Neb. For more information, contact Gwen Crawford or visit www.shorthorn.org.
The mission of the ASA is to provide quality service and support to its members by promoting the value of Shorthorn cattle in all aspects of the beef industry, while maintaining the integrity of the herd book and performance database. The ASA is headquartered in Omaha, Neb., and was founded in 1872 with herd book records going back to 1822. As one of the oldest American breed associations, the ASA provides services for more than 6,000 junior and senior members who register nearly 15,000 cattle annually. The American Junior Shorthorn Association promotes personal development through youth activities and educational events. The AJSA is dedicated to the betterment of its members, promotes valuable skills, and fosters friendships that will last a lifetime. To learn more, contact the ASA office or visit their website or the JuniorShorthorn website.