Indiana Youth Joins NJAA Team of 'Green Coats'
Published: Friday, July 26, 2024
Sitting ringside, an eight-year-old National Junior Angus Assn. (NJAA) member attends their first junior nationals. The youth watch the show intently, taking in the cattle and the judges' comments. As the cattle circle the ring, something catches the first-time attendee's eye, an older junior member helping usher cattle around the ring in a green coat. It sparks a dream for the young member—to one day wear that green coat themselves as a National Junior Angus Board member.
It's a story that resonates with many, including newly elected NJAA board member, Anne Dameron.
"At a young age, I was a little more intimidated going to larger shows. That quickly changed when a green coat came up to me," Dameron recalled. "The board members have never failed to put a smile on my face and encourage me. From the very first time I saw a green jacket; I knew that serving on the NJAA board was something that I wanted in my future."
Developing the next generation of industry leaders is a vital component of the NJAA mission. Each year, six junior members are elected to serve on the board, where they further develop their leadership skills and represent Angus youth. The new directors were announced during the awards ceremony at the 2024 National Junior Angus Show on July 5, in Madison, Wis.
The newly elected board members will serve two years—the first year as directors and the second as officers. Blake Pillars of Martin is among the newly-elected directors. Other new directors are Catie Collison, Lake City, Iowa; Anne Dameron, Towanda, Ill.; Aba Leibfried, Hazel Green, Wis.; Bryanna Smith, Russell Springs, Ky.; and Grant Solem, Los Olivos, Calif. During their term, they will travel the nation, assisting at shows and conferences, supporting junior members during state and national events and helping to advance the NJAA mission.
The new six will join second-term members and newly elected chairman, Mary Wood of Willow Spring, N.C. and vice chairman, Jonwyn Ayres of Powers, Ore. The officer team also includes foundation director, Alli Perry, Fayetteville, Tenn.; secretary, Kyli Kraft, Fort Collins, Colo.; events director, Suter Clark, Gretna, Va.; and education director, Sawyer Styles, Brentford, S. D.
"I am extremely excited for the coming year. I am blessed to be a part of an amazing team of dedicated board members to the NJAA. I am most looking forward to working with our group on honoring the Angus breed's traditions while continuing to innovate new ideas for our junior membership," said Mary Wood, chairman.
Pillars hails from Martin. He brings a wealth of energy and excitement to the board. He grew up on a farm in west central Michigan milking cows, raising forage crops and showing Angus cattle. At the age of nine, he bought his first Angus cow and began his show career. Pillars just completed his freshman year at Northern Oklahoma College where he is majoring in Agriculture Business and competes on the collegiate livestock judging team.
"I first decided I wanted to run for the board after I attended my first LEAD conference in Indianapolis," Pillars said. "The reason I wanted to run for the board is simply for the juniors. I want to make an impact and have juniors know that whether I am in a green coat or not, they can always come up and say 'hi' to me."
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