career. My first Junior Nationals was in Grand Island in 2018. Seeing how hard the Junior Board works, and how it impacted the lives of those kids and everyone in the breed, I knew then that my end goal is to wear the blue jacket. We have attended every year since, but I never had much more than a class winner. This year, however, we knew we had our guns loaded with Jolene.
soon as I was eligible for 4-H, I was competitive at the local level. Now 15, I have seen the same success at the state and national levels. Outside of the show ring, I stay busy playing volleyball and I am an active member of my 4-H club and FFA chapter.
Winning a national show was never something I saw as achievable. I figured there was always going to be someone who deserved it more. I know I work my tail off, but what if someone works harder? After we took the backdrop picture, Audrey Bremer told me a quote that sat with me. She said that someone had told her “The only time success comes before work is in the dictionary” and said that I had perfectly exemplified that. That was when I
y family and I live on a sixth-generation farm in West Liberty, Iowa. We grow corn, soybeans and our own hay as well as
run about 70 head of Angus, Maine Anjou, Simmental and Commercial cattle. Our calves are sold private treaty in the fall. Everyone who knows me knows I was born a showman. My family swears that my first word was cow. I got started in the show circuit with a bottle calf when I was five. As
Through FFA, I’ve been on district champion and state placing teams. The West Liberty chapter was also recognized as the top chapter in the state of Iowa! The Maine Anjou breed has always been an important part of our operation. I’ve been showing Maine cattle through the entirety of my
accepted the fact that I was deserving. Deserving of success, deserving of this heifer, and deserving of the love and support that my crew and this breed have shown me. In being asked to share my story, I have the privilege of reminding you that if you work hard,
you deserve it too. Go Maine, Go Chi!
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