Junior President Message By Hayley Fernandes
Hello, my name is Hayley Fernandes, from Tulare. This past January I was elected to serve as President for the California Junior Holstein Association. I have been an active member of the Association since 2013, competing at the state and national level in dairy bowl and dairy jeopardy. This fall, I will be attending Cal Poly SLO to study Dairy Science, where I will still be apart of the Junior Holstein Association. Looking back on this past year, our juniors were very successful at the National Holstein Convention in Bellevue, WA. Our junior dairy bowl team consisting of Timothy Elmer, Rachel Mancebo, Vicki Paolini, and Emma van Loben Sels, all of which were first year competitors, ended with an impressive 3rd place finish. Our senior dairy bowl team consisting of Abbi Prins, Hayley Fernandes, Kylie Konyn, and Jacob Fernandes, concluded in an extremely impressive 2nd place finish, receiving Reserve National Champion titles. In the dairy jeopardy contest, Mackenzie Elmer was the National Champion of the Intermediate division. Lindsay Elmer, Joey Spina, Kaylie Vander Meulen, and Kiara Konyn, represented California in the Junior Division. In intermediate, Hannah Mancebo and Alyssa Timoschuk competed, and Karleen Lopez competed in the Senior division. California claimed all three winners in the Senior division, as Mackenzie Elmer received 1st, Abbi Prins was 2nd, and Hayley Fernandes was 3rd. California also had the honor of being represented by a Young Distinguished Junior Member, Hayley Fernandes, Distinguished Junior Member Semi-Finalist, Hannah Van Dyk, and Distinguished Junior Member, Tony Lopes. Overall, California was highlighted well by its impressive juniors on the National stage. This past January, the Redwood Empire Holstein Association hosted a fantastic state convention. Juniors from across the state got together,
competing in dairy quiz competitions, attended host night activities, and created friendships that will last a lifetime. The goal for many was to receive an elusive spot on the national team to compete this summer in Traverse City, Michigan. The individuals selected to compete include the following: for the junior team, Vicki Paolini, Emma van Loben Sels, Rachel Mancebo, and Reese Renati. For the Senior team, Alyssa Timoschuk, William Claflin, Karleen Lopez, and Timothy Elmer. In the Junior Jeopardy contest, California will be represented by Mykel Mull, Jennifer DeVries, Lindsay Elmer, Kaylie Vander Meulen, and Joey Spina. Jacob Fernandes, Hayley Fernandes, and Hannah Mancebo will all compete in the Intermediate Jeopardy Contest, and Mackenzie Elmer will compete in the Senior Division of Dairy Jeopardy. California is extremely proud of these members, and excited to see them compete! Our next major event will be our annual Cow Camp Activity. This year, Cow Camp will be back at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, from July 25-27, and open to youth ages 9-21. Attendees have the opportunity to learn more about Dairy Science at Cal Poly, partake in dairy related activities, create friendships, and have a very enjoyable time! I am honored to serve the association this year, and excited for the upcoming opportunities! Hayley Fernandes, CJHA President
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