For 74 years, the American Angus Auxiliary has been working with the American Angus Association and the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) to promote youth and the success of the Angus breed. The Auxiliary provides educational activities for junior Angus members, such as scholarship programs, awards and competitions. The first Auxiliary scholarship of $300 was awarded in 1957. Since then, the Auxiliary has provided more than $571,000 to deserving youth. While the Auxiliary can be proud of this milestone, it would not be possible without member and breeder support.

Beginning in 1983, the Cook-Off was the first non-showing educational contest. The first-place intermediate steak team is awarded the Pat Grote LEAD Award, which pays for team members to attend the Leaders Engaged in Angus Development (LEAD) conference. Patricia Grote served as president of the Auxiliary (2001–2002). 

The overall junior team is awarded Ardyce’s Apron. Ardyce O’Neill was the beef education chair for the first Cook-Off in 1983 and served on the Cook-Off committee for 36 years. The champion team in each category competes for the Black Kettle Award in memory of longtime supporter of the Cook-Off, Paul St. Blanc.

In 2006 the Extemporaneous Speaking intermediate division was split into two age groups. The winners receive a Harvey Rattey pewter sculpture award from the Auxiliary in the name of mentor and friend Pat Grote.

The Richard L. Spader award is sponsored in memory of the former Association executive vice president. This custom engraved belt buckle is given to the winner of the senior Extemporaneous Speaking division.

The Crystal Award is based on placings in all the educational events and awarded to the overall high-point boy and girl. The award was created in memory of Janet Castle, one of the founders of the scholarship fund. She served as president of the Auxiliary in 1962.

The oldest continuous program, the Silver Pitcher award began in 1953 at the Chicago Stock Show. Originally presented to a young lady excelling in the show ring. The award presentation was moved to the NAILE in 1975 before its current home at the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) where today the award is presented to the boy and girl with the most achievements in the show ring.

The Showmanship Contest is sponsored by the Association, and the top five showmen receive a silver Revere bowl from the Auxiliary. Originally organized by Dean Hurlbut to encourage young men and women to become interested in showing Angus cattle, the top showman award is accordingly named the Dean Hurlbut Award.

The American Angus Auxiliary is a backbone support organization for NJAS. Without their involvement, many of the recognition programs and educational opportunities at the NJAS wouldn’t exist at the same level.