North Dakota Angus Association Recognizes Juniors
There were many highlights of the 2021 North Dakota Angus Association (NDAA) Annual Meeting and Banquet, held November 12 & 13 in Bismarck, but all of the junior involvement keeps the focus of the organization strong.
This year, the North Dakota Junior Angus Association (NDJAA) held their meeting and activities on Friday night. A strong group of members gathered, first for some informational activities conducted by Advisor Shari Wendel, LaMoure, followed by their business meeting led by President Alexis Vandeberghe, Cleveland. Advisor Kelcey Hoffmann, Wheatland, provided a group activity, a sort of Jeopardytype game to score the kids cattle and beef knowledge. All had a great time and even earned some halters for their cattle.
Region 3 American Angus Auxiliary Director Stacy Erdmann, Lisbon, presented to the NDJAA members and parents details of earning the juniors Bronze, Silver, and Gold awards through the American Angus Association, as well as information about scholarships available to members.
The junior program has been growing over the past several years, with a group of dedicated advisors, families and excited young Angus members. The future of the NDAA organization looks bright with this group of juniors.
The NDAA board of directors recognized the success the Junior members had this year, and complimented them on their hard work, dedication and representation of the North Dakota Angus family. Juniors who placed Champion or Reserve Champion at the 2021 National Junior Angus Show in July in Grand Island, Nebraska were recognized for their accomplishments:
Kelsey Vandeberghe
Grand Champion Bred-and-Owned Carcass Steer
Reserve Champion Carcass Steer Group
Alexis Vandeberghe
Reserve Champion Bred-and-Owned Carcass Steer
Reserve Champion Carcass Steer Group
Senior Champion Award - Photography
Senior Reserve Champion Award Photography Molly Hansen Reserve Champion Livestock Judging
Grand Champion Skillathon
First Place Written Quiz Bowl Test
Champion Junior Quiz Bowl Team
Champion Overall Stockmen, Junior Division
Kadence Spickler Second Place Creative Writing Junior Division
Cally Hansen Second Place Extemporaneous Speaking Junior Division
Second Place Written Quiz Bowl Test
Champion Junior Quiz Bowl Team Sheridan Ellingson Junior Reserve Champion Award - Photography
Haylie Spickler Champion Junior Quiz Bowl Team Rylee Erdmann Champion Junior Quiz Bowl Team
Additionally, the NDJAA started a HighPoint sweepstakes award at Junior Field Days back in 2018 to encourage more involvement in contests at Field Days. This award goes to the Junior Field Day participant that accumulated the most points from contests and showing cattle.
This year’s high point sweepstakes award was donated by Arnold Angus, Esmond, and was presented to Rose Wendel. Rose is the daughter of Mike and Shari Wendel, LaMoure.