There aren’t many National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) members who will say the miles traveled to the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) weren’t worth it. But for these six individuals, the 2025 trip was extra special. Named new members of the National Junior Angus Board (NJAB), six young Angus enthusiasts gained green coats during the NJAS closing ceremonies. 

Joining the prestigious ranking of young leaders are Adeline Tommell, Fonda, N.Y.; Alexis Koelling, Bowling Green, Mo.; Ava Wood, Willow Spring, N.C.; Bryce Hofing, Coatesville, Ind.; Keely Shultz, Danielsville, Ga.; and Lyle Perrier, Eureka, Kan.   

The Angus Mentoring Program (AMP) was the first program she took part in, but since then, she’s enjoyed attending both Raising the Bar and the Leaders Engaged in Angus Development (LEAD) conferences. 

“I felt a lot of confidence within the time that I’ve been in the Angus association, and I think that is one of the biggest vital parts outside of the show ring,” she explains. “I’ve just been able to make connections and just grow as a person.” 

Beyond helping overcome the quieter side to her personality, Tommell says the people she met also connected her with Oklahoma State University (OSU), where she is currently studying. In the sea of orange, one NJAB member stood out. 

“Everyone seems to have one junior board member in the past that they kind of resonate with, and that was Corbin Cowles for myself,” she explains. “He saw that I was shy and quiet, and he pulled me out of my comfort zone.”

As she got older, that sense of gratitude towards Cowles never wavered. It inspired Tommell to run for the NJAB, so she could take on that role for someone else. Whether someone’s like her younger self and content to stay behind an older sibling or just genuinely nervous, Tommell hopes to take on a comforting role and get kids of all personality happily participating in NJAA events. 

“It was kind of surreal for me when I was called,” she remembers of the NJAS closing ceremonies. “I’ve always looked up to [the NJAB members,] and now I’m a part of them for the next two years. I hope to bring a little bit of individuality, especially from being that kind of shy kid.” 

After watching many of her good friends join their six on the NJAB, Koelling admits it’s been a longtime goal. There’s integrity, high standards and shared values she knows comes with the title of board member, but she says it’s also a chance to continue to grow. 

She didn’t start her junior showman career in the Angus breed, but Koelling said The Business Breed has always been the perfect fit. She’s eager to serve her junior peers, but she also is eager to dive deeper into the breed. 

She lists attending National Angus Convention as one of her most anticipated roles in the green coat. In Koelling’s mind, connections with breeders are priceless. 

“You have two ears and one mouth for a reason, and I think that’s something as a generation we don’t think before we speak enough,” she says. “I think if we sit down … with older Angus breeders, there’s a lot we can learn.”

While she admits there’s always thrill in a new recognition or belt buckle, Koelling sees a lot more to being in this industry than being on the receiving end of a champ slap. 

Ever the music fan, she uses a line from “Vienna” by Billy Joel to explain herself.  

“Slow down, you’re doing fine,” she recites, encouraging juniors to enjoy every little moment of their time in the NJAA. “I’m sure the banners are cool. The backdrops probably look awesome at the end of the day, hanging up on the wall; but it’s the connections that you make outside of the show ring that last you a lifetime.” 

“Seeing how the green coats make such an impact on juniors’ lives has always been really inspiring to me,” Ava explains. “I just want to be an individual in the association that can be there to help with any events … be a happy and comforting, approachable face for juniors.” 

She plans to share the thoughts and voices of her NJAA peers while serving. 

For her, however, the roots in this industry go a little deeper. Ten years ago, Ava’s mother passed away from Stage 4 lung cancer. That year, the Angus Foundation started the DeEtta Wood Memorial Scholarship. 

“Seeing how the Angus Foundation and the Angus association — on the junior level and on the adult level — came and supported us in such a difficult time really just enhanced my involvement in this Association,” Ava explains. 

Whether it’s at school at North Carolina State University or at an Angus event, Ava says she’s always been able to easily connect with others. It’s proof of the Angus family for sure, but it’s something she also credits to her father. For the two of them, cattle shows were never confined to a barn. There were cities to explore, people to meet, sights to see. Ava’s inherited the ability to live life boldly, and she has no doubts she’ll lead the NJAA with the same attitude. 

Knowing Mary and brother Justin will be watching, Ava has high standards for herself as the youngest of the Woods trio. It’ll be bittersweet when she retires; as she says, it’ll be the end of an era. But until then she’s going to enjoy every moment of her time on the NJAB. 

“That leadership conference really changed what I thought I was going to do,” he explains. “I thought I just wanted to be a breeder, and I didn’t really want to be a part of the leadership aspect of it, but Raising the Bar really changed my opinion on how I wanted to be a part of the Angus industry.” 

One event led to a life-changing decision. 

“That’s why I decided to run for the board, and that’s how I’m here now,” Hofing explains, thinking back on the NJAS closing ceremonies where he stood as a newly elected director. 

It’s no surprise that helping put on Raising the Bar as a green coat is one of the things Hofing is looking forward to most, but he’s got his eye on quite a few exciting opportunities. He’ll attend his first LEAD conference as a part of the NJAB, and he says he can’t wait to get in front of NJAA members. 

That plan is in line with advice he got from former NJAB member Brody Fitzgerald, who told Hofing to just be himself during his campaign for a spot on the board. 

By serving in this role, Hofing’s checking a major goal off his to-do list, but he sees himself continuing to aim high in the future. He’ll attend Kansas State University (K-State) this fall, and though he doesn’t quite know where life will lead him next, he’s got his sights set on a future with The Business Breed. 

“I’m just looking forward to see where the world takes me, and I want to be involved in Angus after I’m done,” Hofing explains. “I’m going to be a part of the Angus breed.” 

Her ambition led her to FFA, where she developed a soft spot for floral design and joined the poultry and livestock judging teams. But beef cattle always felt like home. 

“We were just in and out of the barn as a family, making memories,” Shutlz explains. “It’s kind of my safe space — being able to go out there and just be my own person but also spend quality time with my little sister, Keaton, that has been really special.” 

Even as her passion became her own, Shultz’s parents were a big inspiration. Her mother had been on the NJAB and her father has served as the president of the North American Junior Limousin board. Shultz was ready to carry on the family tradition. 

“I’ve just made some of my sweetest friends and the best connections through this whole journey,” she says of her NJAA career. “Being able to give back to an industry that kind of raised me is something I’m really passionate for.” 

While Schultz has always loved the Angus family, it hasn’t been always easy for her to express that passion. 

“They used to have this joke that it’d take me 40 minutes before I’d actually talk to someone,” she admits, saying the NJAA provided experiences where she was forced to step out of her shell, think outside the box and make those connections. 

Newfound confidence in hand, today the 19-year-old is attending OSU, nearly 16 hours away from home, and she credits the NJAA with giving her the ability to thrive in a new environment. 

Shultz plans on using that positive attitude and grateful spirit frequently during her two years on the NJAB. 

“I just remember watching the green coats, and they’d walk into a room and it’d light up,” she adds. “As a junior looking up to them, and now being able to say I’m on the same team as them and we’re going to serve together — it’s so exciting. Now I have the opportunity to be that person for someone else, which gives me chills.”