Junior Corner

Korbin Collins

ajsa president

Officially a “Has Been”

As I am sitting here writing this article, I realize it is official I am a “has been.” My junior career and my three years serving on the board have gone. As they say, I am on to bigger and better things, but I want to reflect on my time as a junior and serving on the junior board. I want to say thank you to all the families and exhibitors that attended this year’s junior nationals. It was indeed a great week. Also, exhibitors, please thank your parents and grandparents, whoever allowed you this opportunity to attend junior nationals.

If you had told me the path, I would think of taking when I was twelve years old, I would have laughed in your face and said, “yeah, right!” But when I attended my first Shorthorn Junior Nationals in Madison, Wisconsin, in 2018, everything changed for me. I owe Kesler, my brother again thank you because four months before that nationals, my family took a vote on whether we would attend Shorthorn Nationals. The vote was 1 to 4, with Kesler only voting yes to attending, and well, we all know how that turned out. But to my family, thank you for taking on this crazy ride for the last three years. It hasn’t been easy with me running for the board plus being on the board coming and going and never being at the stalls. Thank you for picking up the slack when I started working fulltime last summer and taking care of my heifers. And most of all, thank you for supporting my crazy ideas (most of the time). I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it weren’t for you guys, so thank you!

Thank you to all the junior board members I was able to work with the last three years. We have had many ups and a few downs, memories, and laughs. I truly appreciate all the friendships I have gained. Thank you to all of the junior exhibitors the last few years for making junior nationals the best week of the summer, all the friendships, and of course, all the great memories of the water balloon fights! AJSA Staff, thank you for everything you guys did during the year and at junior nationals. This week wouldn’t be possible without you. Shelby, thank you for working countless hours a year, months, and weeks in advance for this one week. This great event wouldn’t even be possible without you and your support, so thank you for everything you do. I also want to thank all the breeders, sponsors, donors, and buyers. Without all of you, we wouldn’t be able to send our exhibitors home with awards, prizes, no concerns, and many memories.

I am sure I have missed many more people. I know without the Shorthorn breed, Shorthorn people, and everybody involved, I wouldn’t be the person I am today, so thank you. I am incredibly grateful for my time on the junior board, and I am incredibly excited for the future. I am officially a has-been, but I’ll still be around participating in this great breed! =

juniorshorthorn.com

Junior Board

President :: Korbin Collins Vice President :: Miller Smith Secretary :: Sheridan Fox Public Relations :: Faye Smith Director :: Colton Hulsey Director :: Ryan Lane Director :: Merideth Behrens Director :: Xavier Ferris

Upcoming Junior Nationals

2023 • Des Moines, IA 2024 • TBA 2025 • TBA 2026 • TBA

* Tentative Locations. Subject to Change *

Words of Advice“ “ “Love your family, work super hard, live your passion.” - Gary Vaynerchuk