Aug. 20, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information contact:
Crystal Albers, assistant director of communications/web editor, at 816-383-5100 or calbers@angus.org
Written by: Molly Witzel, public relations and communications intern
To request a photo contact PR photos at prphotos@angus.org
Angus Juniors Gather in Nashville
The 2010 Leaders Engaged in Angus Development (LEAD) Conference themed, “Angus: Live and Loud,” brought together 207 Angus participants — including juniors ages 14-21 — from 34 states, Canada, Russia and Australia, Aug. 5-8 in Nashville, Tenn.
Junior members participated in team-building and leadership activities organized by the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) board of directors.
“LEAD Conference is a unique, once-a-year opportunity for Angus youth,” says Robin Ruff, American Angus Association director of junior activities. “The juniors had a great time and learned valuable leadership skills that will benefit them in all areas of their lives. Most importantly, their enthusiasm will encourage the success and future of the Angus breed.”
The conference opened with an overview of Tennessee agriculture presented by former NJAA member Jamie Smith-Nicholson, while speaker Diane Johnson of Details by Design presented a session on business etiquette and public speaking.
Conference attendees traveled to Deer Valley Farm, Fayetteville, Tenn., and Robert Elliott & Sons Angus, Adams, Tenn., for operation tours and to broaden their understanding of the Angus industry.
The incoming NJAA board members for 2010-2012 were introduced and presented a leadership workshop to conference participants. In addition, outgoing NJAA board officers shared their retiring remarks.
On the final day of the conference, Rhett Laubach, motivational speaker and former Oklahoma FFA state president, presented an interactive and hands-on presentation about what it takes to be good leader.
While in the Music City, Angus juniors also spent time interacting with their peers while sightseeing at the Country Music Hall of Fame, Music Row, Ryman Auditorium and Nashville Shores.
LEAD Conference is funded in part by the Angus Foundation.
For more information about LEAD contact the National Junior Angus Association at (816) 383-5100 or visit www.angus.org/njaa.
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A complete list of NJAA participants and their home states follows:
Arkansas: Michelle Rieff, Bentonville; Katlyn and Sheri Tunstill, Fayetteville; Amanda and Lisa Holland, Imboden; Audrey, Christine, Madeline and Susan Taylor, Lavaca; Emma and Isaac Junper, Paragould; Paige Tribble, Pocahontas; Will Pohlman, Prairie Grove; and Caitlin Haley, Quitman.
California: Kirbe, Mindy and Sydney Schnoor, Chowchilla; Calvin and Savannah Levisay, Creston; Madeline Wisecarver, Hanford; Manny Casillas and Tasha Volheim, Penn Valley; and Macy and Susan Perry, Prather.
Colorado: Britney Creamer, Montrose.
Connecticut: Tathan Francis, Brooklyn.
Florida: Josh Rodriguez, Monticello.
Georgia: Clay Williams, Bishop
Iowa: Erin Steele, Anita; Austin Brandt, Corning; Cole and Zach Greiman, Garner; Karene and Samantha Schermer, Latimer; Kale Kiesewetter, Letts; Lauren Barker, Monticello; Mary Kate, Shelli and Tim Mardesen, Oxford; Dixie and Reed McCormick, Pleasantville; and Mallory Espenscheid, Traer.
Idaho: Matthew and Michelle Malson, Parma; Hailey Collins, Meridian; and Shane Kerner, Weiser.
Illinois: Andrea and Robert Hosto, Alhambra; Christopher Cassady, Ancona; Will Bingman, Carmi; Kayla Widerman, Good Hope; Laramie Chaffin, Roodhouse; and Jennifer Ewing, Rushville.
Indiana: Ashlyn Carter, Noblesville; and Garrett Knebel, Winamac.
Kansas: MacKenzie Flory, Baldwin City; Esther and Hannah McCabe, Elk City; Tanner and Tucker Rayl, Hutchinson; Allison, Meghan and Trenton Bylthe, White City; and Clinton Laflin, Olsburg.
Kentucky: Austin Cole, Bowling Green; Nikki Bugg, Brugin; Amanda and Logan Goggin, Danville; Colby, Ruth Ann and Toni Myers, Harrodsburg; Megan Cole, Lancaster; Blake and Paula Boyd, Mayslick; Shayna Jeffries, New Castle; Maggie Jasper, Midway; and Samuel Brown, Woodburn.
Louisana: Brent, Nathaniel and Samantha Yantis, Bunkie; Jacob and Laina Chicola, Deville; Joshua, Julius and Monette Scott, Lorager; Daniel McFarland, Keithville; and Nancy Ann and Samantha Bickham, Saint Francisville.
Maine: Mackenzie and Mitchell White, Shapleigh; and Tyler Stevenson Throndike.
Maryland: Maggie Lanham, Buckeystown; Tyler Donnelly, Emmitsburg; Emily and Robert Velisek, Gaithersburg; Shane Heizer, Hagerstown; Brittany and Jimmy Full, Mount Airy; and Jessica and Taylor Clarke, Rocky Ridge.
Michigan: Patricia and Sharon Vaassen, Ann Arbor; Chelsea and Justin Ruggles, Kingston; Heather and Justin Kennedy, Nashville; and Danielle Foster, Niles.
Minnesota: Bruce, LeeAnn, Lindsay and Taylor Waugh, Goodhue; and Alisha Nord, Wolverton.
Missouri: Hannah Bartholomew, Archie; Jacob, Kathryn and Susan Coon, Bethel; Brittany, Nathan and Pam Eagleburger, Buffalo; Chance Hardy, Diamond; Shannon Yokley, Jefferson City; Jacob Heimsoth, Lathrop; Garren Bellis, Orrick; Dereck Washam, Pierce City; Cameron and Carter Ward, Plattsburg; Elizabeth Otte, Saint Mary; Austin and Chase Thummel, Sheridan; Austin and Caleb Sayre, and Paige and Samuel Wallace, Stotts City; Erica Atkinson, Walnut Grove; and Clayton and Cody Smith, West Plains.
Montana: Anne Indreland, Big Timber; and Allison Dubs, Billings.
North Carolina: Daniel Brown, Boone; Cortney and Karl Holshouser, Castalia; Cameron Leedy, Druham; Colleen Jones, Kinston; Avery Faulkner, LaGrange; Drew and John Bray, Lawsonville; Brooke and Catherine Harward, Richfield; Dianne and Joezell Fulbright, Vale; and Milo Lewis, Walstonburg.
North Dakota: Jason Jallo, Fordville.
Nebraska: Claire Volk, Benington.
Ohio: Lauren and Lindsay Grimes, Hillsboro.
Oklahoma: Kassandra Pfeiffer, Orlando.
Oregon: Robert Myers, Yamhill.
Pennsylvania: Jaclyn and Lindsay Upperman, Chambersburg; Eugene Trowbridge, Meshoppen; and Cody McKean, Mercer.
Rhode Island: Brandon Bouthillette, Smithfield.
South Carolina: Cory Watt, Iva; and Drake and Sally Yon, Ridge Spring.
South Dakota: Alex, Andrew and Shally Rogen, Brandon.
Tennessee: Lindsay Turner, Covington; JanLee Rowlett, Hurricane Mills; Ethan Rowlett, Martin; Kayla Cole, Sparta; and Hannah Wright, Spring City.
Texas: Karly Wicker, DeKalb; Jennifer Ann Smith, Elysian Fields; Mattie and Mollie Lastovica, Fredericksburg; Wade and Zachary Wells, Hamilton; Brazos and Tylee Williams, Memphis; and Jacob Steph, Tatum.
Virginia: Linda and Morgan Alexander, Berryville; Jordan Miller, Bridgewater; Shane Clary, Brodnax; and Bobby Strecker, Rockbridge Baths.
Washington: JD Rosman, Creston; Alyx Hanson, Elk; Callie and Danette Hanson, Newport; Bethany and Bonita Cobb, Nine Mile Falls; and Amanda, Jessica and Shannon Schmidt, Othello.
West Virginia: Austin Cogle, Kearneyville; Alison and Zach Bartenslager, Lewisburg; and Malia Berg, Petersburg.
International: International Angus juniors attending the conferences included Jasmine Nixon, Taralga, Australia; Mateveev Pavel, Russia; and Canadian Angus youth Kevin Bolduc, Stavely, Alberta; and Megan Kemp, Pilot Mound, Manitoba.
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