business, and Deepe Land and Cattle, a cow-calf and hay production operation. She attended the Reciprocal Meat Conference for the educational presentations and to compete as a member of the quiz bowl team. She was also selected to travel to Washington, D.C. to attend the Collegiate Farm Bureau Advocacy and Policy Institute. Aida competed on the meat judging team at the University of Wyoming where she was 9th high individual at Ft. Worth and 7th high individual overall at the International contest. She competed on the Meat Animal Evaluation Team which placed 6th in the national contest this past spring. She is currently pursuing degrees in Livestock Business Management and Elementary Education and hopes to complete a master’s program in Agricultural Education. One of her goals is to design age-appropriate curriculum to expose elementary school students to agriculture. Helen Keiser West Texas A&M University Helen is an Agricultural Ambassador, a student worker for the Meat Science and Innovation Center, and Co-Captain of the Varsity Western Equestrian team. She attended the Reciprocal Meats Conference where she was a member of the National Champion Meat Science Quiz Bowl Team. She participated in internships with Tyson Foods in Springdale, AR in research and development
American Royal. He was also a member of the Reserve National Champion Meat Animal Evaluation team with 8th high individual overall honors. Following graduation with a dual major in Animal Science and Industry and Agricultural Economics, he plans to pursue a career as a risk manager or market analyst for feedlots or packers. He ultimately hopes to return home to his family’s registered Gelbvieh and Balancer cow-calf operation. Jack Habjan Kansas State University Jack serves as a Transfer Student recruiter, President of the Meat Animal Evaluation team, Sponsorship Coordinator for the Texas Tech Jackpot Show and member of the Professional Cattlemen’s Association. He participated in internships with Kansas City Treats in Pet Food Extrusion, with Fairview Mills in Kansas with Grain Handling and Procurement and a Sheep and Goat internship with the American Royal. He was selected to the Kansas
4-H All Star Livestock Judging Team where he represented Kansas at the American Royal and North American International contests. He previously judged for Redlands College as a member of a National Champion Junior College Team. He judged on the 2025 National Champion Meat Animal Evaluation Team where he was second high individual overall. Jack is targeting May 2026 graduation with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science. He then plans to transition into Master of Science and Ph.D. programs in Ruminant Nutrition. Aida Hester University of Wyoming Aida grew up as a seventh- generation rancher in Colorado. Aida has been very involved on campus serving as Treasurer and Community Service Chair for Collegiate Farm Bureau, Vice President of Lamb Growers, Catering Manager of the Food Science Club and a Peer Mentor for Office of Student Success. She has held internships with Little Muddy Beef, a direct-to-consumer beef
operation at St. John, KS. At K-State, he is the Alumni Relations, Community Service and Philanthropy Chair for Farmhouse Fraternity, Director of Leadership Programming for Blue Key Senior Honorary, Student Fellow with K-State Center for Risk Management Education and Research. Student Ambassador for the Alumni Board and Ambassador for the K-State College of Agriculture. Preston participated in internships with Leachman Cattle, CoBank -Regional Agribusiness Banking Group and Farm Credit leasing. He is an auctioneer as well. At K-State, he engaged in agriculture study abroad opportunities to Germany, Austria, Czech Republic and Taiwan. He has been involved in the American Gelbvieh Junior Association Board of Directors serving as Treasurer and Vice President of Leadership. Preston has been a member of the successful KSU livestock judging team which recently won second high team overall at the
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