Jan. 17, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information or photos contact:
A Natural Ambassador
The 2012 Miss American Angus explains what it means to be Angus royalty.
While competing
for the title of Miss American Angus, Brooke Harward of
The judges decided
to give her that chance when they crowned her the 2012 Miss American Angus on
Nov. 14, 2011, at the North American International Livestock Exposition in
Already a strong
voice for the beef business, Harward now serves as an ambassador for the Angus
breed to American Angus Association® members, the National Junior
Angus Association (NJAA), and — the most important audience — consumers across
the United States.
Getting to know Miss American Angus
A freshman at
She is the daughter of Marcus and Patricia Harward, and has five sisters: Lorie, Catherine, LeAnn, Marcie and Mattie. Together, they own and operate a show cattle business named Harward Sisters.
Harward’s dad is a fifth-generation farmer, as well as the owner and operator of livestock market operations, including livestock market barns and a video auction. After graduation, Brooke plans to continue work at her family’s livestock video auction market to help producers in her area market their cattle.
“The farm and cattle have been a part of our daily lives for, well, forever,” Harward says.
But the same could
not be said of her classmates throughout the years, as many were several
generations removed from the farm. She became known as the “girl with cows” at
“I embrace that nickname, because people who may not have known anything about agriculture hopefully learned a little bit about its importance,” Harward says.
She was elected class president during high school and was the National Honor Society President her senior year.
“With my involvement I was able to relate to my peers and educate them about the importance of agriculture,” says Harward.
Alongside all of her school activities, Harward became more involved with the NJAA after participating in her first cattle show when she was 13 years old.
“I still remember it, I was more interested in friends and sports than showing cattle,” Harward says. “But, after my first show with my heifer, Rosie, I was hooked.”
She attended a Leaders Engaged in Angus Development (LEAD) conference and attended her first National Junior Angus Show (NJAS). She also earned leadership roles in her state junior association and was elected president of the North Carolina Junior Angus Association.
Although, Harward never thought her junior Angus involvement would lead to becoming Miss American Angus.
“It is truly a dream that I am incredibly thankful for,” she says. “I first asked myself if they really said my name, then I was overcome with emotion and repeatedly told myself not to cry.”
It wasn’t until the next weekend, heading to a sale when reality hit.
“Nothing can compare to how honored I felt when I put the famous red jacket and tiara on together for the first time,” she says.
Looking forward to a year of service
Harward knows the title is more than just the accessories and is ready to make her mark on the Angus breed.
Since she grew up in the commercial side of the business, she knows the importance of the breed to drive several operations. And to influence them, she wants to reach out to consumers and educate them on how high-quality Angus beef is produced.
Miss American Angus will also assist the Association, NJAA, and the American Angus Auxiliary with shows, educational events, field days and other activities to promote the benefits of the Angus breed.
Harward will have the opportunity to influence many lives throughout her year of service as Miss American Angus. Yet, maybe none more than her sisters at home.
“After I was crowned, I think they were happier than I was, they couldn’t stop smiling and chatting about how they are now princesses,” Harward says. “I want to show my younger sisters that you can accomplish anything, and I hope my experience inspires them.”
Harward is no longer just a big sister, or the “girl with cows”; she is a role model, advocate, and a true inspiration for others around her. The Angus breed is fortunate to have her as an ambassador.
The American Angus Association is the nation’s largest
beef breed organization, serving nearly 30,000 members across the
For more information about Angus cattle and the American Angus Association’s programs and services, visit www.angus.org
###