Outstanding Members Are Lauded
Published: Friday, April 19, 2024
Holstein Assn. USA has selected the 2024 Distinguished Junior Member (DJM) semifinalists and 2024 Young Distinguished Junior Member (YDJM) finalists. The National Junior Holstein Assn. is a dynamic organization for youth under the age of 21, with over 8,000 active members in 48 states.
The Distinguished Junior Member award is the highest achievement for National Junior Holstein Assn. members. Established in 1922, it's the longest-running Holstein Youth Program and recognizes the commitment of Junior members to the Holstein breed, the dairy industry and other agricultural related activities.
"We've been bestowing this honor upon deserving recipients for over a century and seeing the program continue with today's youth is promising for the future of the dairy industry," said Kelli Dunklee, event and program lead for Holstein Assn. USA and the Holstein Foundation.
Twelve young adults ages 17-20 were selected as semifinalists. They were judged through an application process including a resume, story of their Junior Holstein work, essay questions, video elements and more.
The 2024 Distinguished Junior Member semifinalists are: Jordan Anderson, Centre Hall, Pa.; Amelia Brewer, Oakfield, N.Y.; Hayley Daubert, Dayton, Va.; Courtney Glenna, Amery, Wis.; Jacob Harbaugh, Marion, Wis.; Kristen Houser Whitehill, Spring Mills, Pa.; Samuel Mess, Rosendale, Wis.; Naomi Scott, Westgate, Iowa; Lila Sloan, Davis, Ill.; Gabriella Taylor, Newark, N.Y.; Keenan Thygesen, Tunbridge, Vt.; and Clarissa Ulness, Valders, Wis.
The DJM semifinalists will be interviewed and recognized at the National Holstein Convention being held June 24-27 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Six DJM finalists will be announced during the Junior Awards Breakfast on June 27.
Eight finalists will also be recognized with Holstein Assn. USA's Young Distinguished Junior Member award. The YDJM recognition honors youth ages 9-16, who demonstrate a firsthand working knowledge of the dairy industry. Applicants must be involved in the Junior Holstein Assn. and other agricultural activities, be role models for other youth and good spokespeople for the dairy industry.
The 2024 Young Distinguished Junior Member finalists are: Katie Brandel, Lake Mills, Wis.; Lydia Couch, Huntingdon, Pa.; Makenna Mase, Cochranton, Pa.; Ethan Palmer, Waukon, Iowa; Ella Raatz, Colby, Wis.; Cameron Ryan, Fond du Lac, Wis.; Atley Shafer, Jefferson, Md.; and Lauren Silveira, Chowchilla, Calif.
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