Youth from coast to coast recently shared competition and comradery while competing in Holstein Foundation’s national youth competitions. The contests were held in Sioux Falls, South Dakota as part of the 2022 National Holstein Convention from June 27 to July 1st.
“Each year, Holstein Foundation contests give youth the chance to increase their knowledge of the agriculture industry in a fun, rewarding way,” says Kelli Dunklee, Holstein Association USA Youth Program Specialist. “The competitions held during National Junior Holstein Convention give contestants the opportunity to stretch their skills and engage with peers and mentors within the dairy community.”
Dairy Jeopardy
Almost 70 contestants from 18 different states competed in the Dairy Jeopardy competition. The competition is based on the popular television game show and features a wide range of dairy-related questions in several categories. Following are the top three individuals in each age division.
Junior Division (ages 9 to 13)
1st: Alison Gartman, Wisconsin
2nd: Kyle Ainger, Illinois
3rd: Layne Mull, California
Intermediate Division (ages 14 to 17)
1st: Rachel Craun, Virginia
2nd: Elsie Donlick, New York
3rd: Bennett Dunstan, New York
Senior Division (ages 18 to 21)
1st: Abbi Prins, California
2nd: Daniel Clapp, Connecticut
3rd: Kylie Konyn, California
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. A total of 26 teams participated this year, 13 teams in each division.
Facing off in the Junior Division championship match were the teams from California and Illinois. Winning first prize was the California team with members Sophie van Loben Sels, Karley Rocha, Lauren Silveira, Chloe Chapman, and coach Dawn Rocha.
Competing on the Illinois team were Jake Ainger, Evan Beal, Alaina Dinderman, Katelyn Dorn, and coach John Mitchell. Rounding out the top five junior teams were Pennsylvania in third, New England in fourth, and Wisconsin in fifth.
California and New York faced off in a competitive final round in the Senior Division. Members of the winning California team included Rachel Mancebo, Emma van Loben Sels, Mykel Mull, and Victoria Paolini, coached by Kirsten Areias.
On the second-place Senior team from New York were Gabriella Taylor, Alysha Kuhn, Annika Donlick, and William Andrew, coached by Jonathan Taylor. Other teams in the top five included Iowa in third, Pennsylvania in fourth, and Wisconsin in fifth.
J. George & Anna Smith 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 Wisconsin, with team members Evan Brey, Emily Ossmann, Tristen Ostrom, Madison Wiese, and coaches Rachel Gerbitz and Peggy Coffeen. In the Senior Division, the honor went to the team from Iowa with team members Regan Demmer, Isaiah Hammerand, Trenton Hammerand, Brynlee Volker, 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 know-how 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: Karley Rocha, California
2nd: Elsie Donlick, New York
3rd: Sydney Bullard, Maine
Senior Division
1st: Abbi Prins, California
2nd: Annika Donlick, New York
3rd: Isaiah Hammerand, Iowa
For more information about Holstein Foundation youth programs, visit here or contact Kelli Dunklee, youth programs specialist, at 800.952.5200, ext. 4124, or by email.
The Holstein Foundation’s education, leadership development and outreach programs serve both youth and young adults across the country who are involved with all breeds of dairy cattle.
The Holstein Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization founded in 1989. It is headquartered in Brattleboro, Vermont, and shares office space with its parent organization, Holstein Association USA, Inc.