February 5, 2018

For More Information Contact:

Amber Wahlgren at 816-383-5100 or awahlgren@angus.org

Eric Schafer Earns Junior Silver Award

Eric Schafer, Owaneco, Ill., has earned the National Junior Angus Association’s (NJAA) Silver award, according to Jaclyn Clark, education and events director of the American Angus Association^® in Saint Joseph, Mo.

The 16-year-old son of Sue and Aaron Schafer attends Pana High School and is a member of the NJAA and the Illinois Junior Angus Association where he has served as director, reporter and secretary.

He has participated in local, state, regional and national shows and showmanship contests. At the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), Eric participated in prepared public speaking, extemporaneous speaking, team sales, quiz bowl, team fitting, livestock judging, team marketing, and skillathon contests. He was also a participant in the Leaders Engaged in Angus Development (LEAD) conference in 2016 and 2017 and the Raising the Bar conference in 2015.

Eric has consigned cattle to the National Western Bull Sale.

The Silver award is the first second level of the NJAA Recognition Program that began in 1972. Junior Angus breeders must apply for the award, then meet point requirements in many areas of participation before receiving the honors. Applicants are evaluated in areas of junior Angus association activities and leadership, participation in showmanship, contests and shows, using performance testing to improve their herd and their progress in producing and merchandising Angus cattle.

The NJAA promotes the involvement of young people in raising Angus cattle, while also providing leadership and self-development opportunities for the nearly 6,000 active members nationwide.

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