SHORTHORN SCOOP JUNIOR
Fall is upon us and busy season is here!
We are LUCKY to have the best junior board in the industry. They truly care about the future of the AJSA and serve as incredible role models for our junior members. If you see them in the barn, please take a moment to stop and visit with these great leaders!
For our second year of the “Shorthorn Scoop,” we hope you enjoy connecting with the junior board while staying up to date on all things AJSA and the National Junior Shorthorn Show.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to me or any of our junior board members if you have questions — we’re always happy to help. We’re so glad to have you as part of the Family Friendly Breed!
Be sure to check out all the updates and changes for this year’s NJSS, along with special notes from our outstanding junior board.
Also, don’t forget — the AJSA apparel store is open again until November 6! Grab some gear and show your support for the AJSA.
We’ll see you soon! Stay tuned for the spring issue, which will include more details for the 2026 NJSS..
- Shelby, Director of Youth Activities
PRESIDENT PREAMBLE
Samantha VanVorhis, OH
The AJSA Junior Board is thrilled to continue sharing this newsletter with all of you. Last year, we launched this project with the goal of connecting members, highlighting opportunities within our association, and giving a closer look at life on the Junior Board. This year, we’re excited to build on that foundation and bring you even more updates, insights, and stories from across the Shorthorn community.
One of the greatest strengths of our breed—and our association—is the connections we make along the way. Through the “Shorthorn Scoop,” we hope to strengthen those ties by providing resources, sharing experiences, and
offering advice from both peers and industry professionals. From the “Contest Corner,” where you’ll find helpful tips for junior national contests, to the “Red Coat Recap,” where board members share their perspective on representing AJSA, we want this newsletter to be a source of encouragement and inspiration.
As I begin to close out my journey as a junior board member, I am reminded of why I ran in the first place- the people I am so fortunate that I get to share this experience with not only my 8 other junior board members, but the association as a whole. My love for the shorthorn breed runs deep, but it is really the people that
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Samantha VanVorhis, President
Mackenlee Evans, Vice-President
Hannah Wetzel, Secretary
Audrey Robertson, Public Relations
Jay Allen, Fundraising
VIctoria Thompson, Director
Cole Brus, Director
Jack Jordan, Director
Nate HIll, Director
make it special. I have been very fortunate to have made lifelong friendships and relationships in this breed and I would not trade them for the world. My time as a red coat has been spent talking to people with the hope that I can just make an impact on one person.
BOARD BULLETIN
Victoria Thompson, AL
The junior board had an eventful summer! Shortly after getting Groovy in Grand Island, we joined members of the Gelbvieh, Limousin, Simmental, Shorthorn, and Chianina breed associations at the Summit IGS Leadership Conference. This biannual event was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for 2025 and is hosted by International Genetic Solutions (IGS). This one-of-a-kind summer conference is open to youth ages 14-22 and offers participants a chance to develop leadership skills, build lasting friendships, and gain insights into current agricultural issues. The event provides a unique opportunity to learn from top industry leaders and experience agriculture in different regions of the United States. Topics covered this year included learning about the powers of credibility and confidence, as well as dinner
etiquette with Marlene Eick. Successful advocacy in the cattle industry from Tanner Beymer, NBCA. We learned more about IGS from Jon DeClerk, ASA as well as polished up our leadership skills with the breed association youth directors. We were able to take in the history of Philadelphia “The Revolutionary City”, seeing the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Gettysburg, and other historic sights, then took a cruise down the Delaware River. In addition to the city, we took a farm tour of Wen Crest Farm and Penn State.
This was a great educational event where the board spent time networking with some of the best in the industry, meeting peers from across the country, exchanging ideas, and building leadership skills!
Monitor our social media and our website for posts about changes for the
2026 National Junior Shorthorn Show and upcoming leadership opportunities. We also have an AJSA apparel store now open! Scan the QR code below to order your apparel now.
The Shorthorn Youth Development Fund was established in 2020 to provide financial support that will sustain and expand excellent programming to develop Shorthorn youth as cattle producers and responsible, productive citizens.
One example of excellent programming for junior members is the National Junior Shorthorn Show & Youth Conference. Close to 400 young people and their families come together to compete with cattle in the show ring and as individuals and teams in a variety of contests. It’s an action-packed week of learning and fun that develops skills, knowledge, and confidence, along with love for the breed and friendships that last a lifetime. The cost to produce this annual event is more than $350,000, mostly raised through sponsorships and donations.
The Shorthorn Youth Development Fund is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, a financial resource to directly invest in the future of the breed that is your business, your lifestyle and your passion. We have streamlined the donation process to make contributing to youth development more accessible for everyone, especially those whose business directly benefits from junior and family customers.
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT
CONTEST CORNER
Jay Allen, PA
The Junior Board is excited to share contest updates for this upcoming Junior Nationals. As a board, we take pride in making our event more fun and competitive each year. We’ve been listening to feedback and working hard to create opportunities where every member can shine. We are thrilled for you to see what’s new!
This year, for our tastiest contest, Beef Cookoff, juniors must prepare delicious dishes using ground beef. We can’t wait to see the creative dishes our contestants come up with. Your favorite junior board members, Jay Allen and Nate Hill, are ready to sample everyone’s dish!
Along with a new cut of meat, we are bringing new speech topics to freshen up and spark new ideas in our Speech Contest. From the kitchen to the podium, we can’t wait to see junior Shorthorn exhibitors’ creative side.
Last year, we made changes to our Fitting Contest. Previously, teams consisted of members all from the same age division, but now each team has mixed ages. Meaning there is one senior, one intermediate, and two Prospectors
on each team. The junior board changed this to promote teamwork and mentorship across all levels. For our 2026 Junior Nationals, we are taking it a step further by expanding from placing the Top 5 teams to placing the Top 10 teams. This change allows more fitting teams to show off their skills and gain recognition for their hard work.
Last year, we made some significant rule changes and added some exciting new contests.
Our Showmanship Contest will continue with the rule adjustment we introduced last year. Instead of the top 10 seniors returning to compete Wednesday evening in a fitting and showmanship contest, we will focus entirely on showmanship. This allows exhibitors to demonstrate their talents and their connection with their animals.
We will also continue the Promo Video Contest for this year’s Junior Nationals. The video contest was a fan favorite that debuted at Junior Nationals in Nebraska. This contest allows exhibitors to promote the Shorthorn breed in a fun, creative way that is relevant to our
technological world. All juniors, it’s an easy-to-do contest. Grab your phones and film your best Shorthorn highlight reel showcasing the greatness of Shorthorns.
The Judging Contest will continue to include an EPD class, which was added last year. Adding EPDs to a class is an important and valuable enhancement. Using
EPDs gives Shorthorn breeders the valuable experience in understanding and applying genetic tools to their breeding programs.
And don’t forget the Tailgate/State Cookoff. The tailgate has been a huge hit and keeps growing each year. Thanks to the wildly popular dunk tank last year, we raised over $2,000. We are excited to continue growing this fun and exciting event. We encourage every state to join in the best competition all week.
The Junior Board is working hard to make this year’s junior nationals perfect. We can’t wait to welcome everyone to Abilene for an unforgettable Junior Nationals experience.
shorthorn.org :: 816.599.7777 :: shelby@shorthorn.org
NJSS NOTEWORTHY NEWS
Audrey Robertson, PA
The countdown is on for the 2026 National Junior Shorthorn Show & Youth Conference, set for June 20–27 in Abilene, Texas!
With the theme Trailblazing to Texas, this year’s Junior Nationals is shaping up to be the highlight of the summer.
The last time we gathered in Abilene was in 2020, and we couldn’t be more excited to head back for another unforgettable week.
Entries will open in March 2026 at shorthorn.org, so mark your calendars and start making plans now. Get your cattle registered so you are ready to enter by the deadline of May 1 with a late deadline
of May 15. Cattle must be in exhibitors name by ownership deadline of May 15
Be sure to book your stay at the MCM Elegante Suites, 4250 Ridgemont Dr, Abilene, Texas, to be right in the middle of the action.
A few important contest updates are also on the horizon. The graphic design contest will now prohibit AI-generated entries, and the beef cook-off will feature ground beef as the cut
of choice. In team fitting, the Top 10 teams will be recognized, giving more groups a chance to shine. With these updates and plenty of fun ahead, we can’t wait to see everyone in Texas for the best week of the year! Contact the ASA office if you have any questions!
RED COAT RECAP
Hannah Wetzel, MN
My time on the board has been nothing short of incredible and has truly been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. As I wrap up my third and final year, I can confidently say that these years have shaped me both personally and professionally. Through this experience, I’ve built lifelong friendships and connections that I never would have made otherwise.
Serving on the board has opened doors to opportunities that few get to experience. I’ve had the chance to attend all the major shows across the country, visiting places I might never have gone to on my own. Each trip has provided new perspectives and strengthened my appreciation for the agricultural and livestock industries. Throughout the year, we attend board meetings in various locations, participate in the Summit Leadership Conference during the summer alongside other breed associations, and attend YBIC
in the spring, which is a conference that brings together junior board members from the entire beef industry.
As board members, we serve as the face of the breed, representing and inspiring the next generation of juniors. Many of us once looked up to the “red coats” who came before us, and having the opportunity to now fill that role for others is an honor beyond words. It’s incredibly fulfilling to know that our leadership, actions, and example can positively influence the future of this industry.
Beyond the friendships and travel, this experience has given me invaluable leadership and communication skills. I’ve learned how to work effectively as part of a team, how to make decisions that impact others, and how to
represent an organization with professionalism and pride. These lessons have carried over into every aspect of my life, and they’re some of my favorite experiences to talk about in job interviews. The confidence, responsibility, and sense of purpose I’ve gained from serving on this board will stay with me long after my term ends.
If you are interested in serving on the AJSA board, the application opens in early 2026 and is due in April. Reach out to myself, board members or Shelby if you have questions about running for the board.
