Class for 2021 Jersey Youth Academy Has Been Selected

Jonathan Merriam, President of the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA), today announced the class for the seventh Jersey Youth Academy, July 11 to 16 in Columbus, Ohio.

“The 31 young people from 15 states selected for this class exemplify the many talented, interested Jersey youth across the United States that our organization wants to encourage to pursue careers in the Jersey dairy business,” Merriam said.

“Continuing the impact of the national Jersey youth programs offered by the association,” he continued, “the Jersey Youth Academy is an intensive educational program focused specifically on the Jersey cow and the many elements of the Jersey dairy business. Academy challenges participants to understand the long history and current growth of the Jersey breed in this country and shows them the opportunities and challenges of the dairy business in the future.”

Throughout the previous six classes, more than 190 Jersey youth have been a part of the Academy program and span across many career paths in the agricultural industry.

Participants in the seventh Jersey Youth Academy, with their current academic institutions, are:

California:  Kylie Konyn, Escondido (Saint Joseph Academy); Aspen Silva, Modesto (Modesto Junior College); Hartley Silva, Modesto (Modesto High School).

Illinois:  Addison Raber, Gridley (Kaskaskia College).

Indiana:  Jacqueline Mudd, Berne (Adams Central High School).

Maryland:  Morgan Osborn-Wotthlie, Union Bridge (Francis Scott Key High School).

Massachusetts:  Evan Cooper, New Braintree (Quabbin Regional High School); Barry Nadon, West Brookfield (home farm), Katelyn Poitras, Brimfield (Tantasqua Regional High School); Jack Zina, Hadley (Hopkins Academy).

Michigan:  Miriam Cook, Pewamo (Purdue University).

Minnesota:  Summer Schepper, Princeton (Princeton High School).

New York:  Elizabeth Hyman, Adams (Belleville Henderson Central School); Grace Stroud, Caneadea (SUNY-Morrisville).

Ohio:  Rachel Anderson, New Philadelphia (Southern Illinois University); Von Herron, Salem (United Local High School); Emily Rook, Fredericktown (Fredericktown High School).

Oklahoma:  Ali Bowman, Glencoe (Oklahoma State University).

Oregon:  Mia Berry, Sherwood (Sherwood High School); Jessica Hewitt, Molalla (Molalla High School); Gracie Krahn, Albany (Linn Benton Community College); Tyler Seals, Tillamook (Tillamook Bay Community College).

Pennsylvania: Nicole Arrowsmith, Peach Bottom (Solanco High School); Laura Caruso, Acme (Connellsville High School); Madelynn Hoffman, Manheim (Manheim Central High School); Gabriella Rockwell, Scenery Hill (Virginia Tech).

Tennessee:  Alison Graves, Talbott (Berean Christian Homeschool).

Vermont:  Keenan Thygesen, Tunbridge (Kimball Union Academy).

Wisconsin:  Sophie Larson, Reedsburg (Reedsburg Area High School); Maleah Sickinger, River Falls, Wis., (University of Wisconsin-River Falls); Emma Vos, Maribel (Manitowoc Lutheran High School).

Applications were evaluated by a committee appointed by Merriam and chaired by AJCA Director Tyler Boyd. Selection was based on merit, motivation and preparation for the program as reflected in the written application and goal statement.

Presenters will include representatives of key support agencies and allied industry. The group will also meet and interact with leaders from the Jersey community to gain their unique insights about the future of the dairy business with a specific focus on the Jersey cow.

All program costs, including round-trip transportation for participants, are paid by the Academy.

The Jersey Youth Academy is a 501(c)(3) educational foundation administered by the American Jersey Cattle Association. Contributors represent a broad spectrum of Jersey breeder and dairy industry support.

 

Classes 1-6 of Jersey Youth Academy featured below.