Holstein Association USA has selected the 2024 Distinguished Junior Member (DJM) Semifinalists and 2024 Young Distinguished Junior Member (YDJM) Finalists. The National Junior Holstein Association is a dynamic organization for youth under the age of 21, with over 8,000 active members in 48 states.
The Distinguished Junior Member award is the highest achievement for National Junior Holstein Association members. Established in 1922, it’s the longest-running Holstein Youth Program and recognizes the commitment of Junior members to the Holstein breed, the dairy industry, and other agricultural related activities.
“We’ve been bestowing this honor upon deserving recipients for over a century and seeing the program continue with today’s youth is promising for the future of the dairy industry,” says Kelli Dunklee, Event and Program Lead for Holstein Association USA and the Holstein Foundation.
Twelve young adults ages 17 to 20 were selected as semifinalists. They were judged through an application process including a resume, story of their Junior Holstein work, essay questions, video elements, and more.
The 2024 Distinguished Junior Member Semifinalists are:
Jordan Anderson, Centre Hall, Pennsylvania
Amelia Brewer, Oakfield, New York
Hayley Daubert, Dayton, Virginia
Courtney Glenna, Amery, Wisconsin
Jacob Harbaugh, Marion, Wisconsin
Kristen Houser Whitehill, Spring Mills, Pennsylvania
Samuel Mess, Rosendale, Wisconsin
Naomi Scott, Westgate, Iowa
Lila Sloan, Davis, Illinois
Gabriella Taylor, Newark, New York
Keenan Thygesen, Tunbridge, Vermont
Clarissa Ulness, Valders, Wisconsin
The DJM semifinalists will be interviewed and recognized at the National Holstein Convention being held June 24 to 27, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Six DJM finalists will be announced during the Junior Awards Breakfast on Thursday, June 27.
Eight finalists will also be recognized with Holstein Association USA’s Young Distinguished Junior Member award. The YDJM recognition honors youth ages 9 to 16, who demonstrate a firsthand working knowledge of the dairy industry. Applicants must be involved in the Junior Holstein Association and other agricultural activities, be role models for other youth, and good spokespeople for the dairy industry.
The 2024 Young Distinguished Junior Member Finalists are:
Katie Brandel, Lake Mills, Wisconsin
Lydia Couch, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania
Makenna Mase, Cochranton, Pennsylvania
Ethan Palmer, Waukon, Iowa
Ella Raatz, Colby, Wisconsin
Cameron Ryan, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
Atley Shafer, Jefferson, Maryland
Lauren Silveira, Chowchilla, California
To learn more about the 2024 National Holstein Convention visit www.holsteinconvention.com. Registration for the event is currently open and hotel rooms are available to be booked at the Hyatt Regency Salt Lake City.
For more information about the DJM and YDJM contests or other Holstein youth programs, visit www.holsteinusa.com/juniors or contact Kelli Dunklee at 800.952.5200, ext. 4124 or by email.
