Jersey Juniors to Receive $24,600 in Scholarships

October 1, 2021November 22, 2021 mackerman@usjersey.com

Twelve Jersey youth continuing their education will receive scholarships from the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA) totaling $24,600. They will receive their awards on November 7, 2021, at the Junior Banquet, which concludes junior events at The All American in Louisville, Ky.

The 12 recipients are pursuing higher education at universities and colleges in nine different states—California, Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and Wisconsin. They are pursuing degrees in agricultural business, agricultural communications, agriculture science, animal science, dairy production, dairy science, nursing and veterinary science.

Twenty-one students applied for scholarships from the AJCA this year. Youth can apply for as many scholarships for which they are eligible to compete.

Support for the AJCA scholarship program comes from eight different funds managed in perpetuity by the AJCA.

Russell-Malnati Scholarship for Advanced Studies

Kathryn Marie Bosley
Malone, N.Y.

This scholarship—the largest offered by the AJCA—is available to graduate students seeking degrees in dairy science, animal science, large animal veterinary practice, dairy production, dairy manufacturing, or dairy product processing.

Kathryn Marie Bosley, Malone, N.Y., will receive this year’s scholarship in the amount of $5,000.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science and an associate’s degree in dairy production and management from the State University of New York (SUNY)-Cobleskill in the spring of 2021. She will pursue her master’s degree in animal science at the University of Minnesota next spring. Long term, she plans to work with dairy cattle genetics in academia, with an appointment that is half research and half teaching.

Kathryn placed sixth in the 2020 National Jersey Youth Achievement Contest and attended Jersey Youth Academy in 2017. She received The Lineweaver Scholarship in 2020 and the V. L. Peterson Scholarship in 2019.

She grew up on her family’s 50-cow Registered Jersey dairy, Tierney Farm. Among her favorite pastimes were “show-cations” at the New York State Fair, the New York Spring Carousel, the Big E, World Dairy Expo and The All American Jersey Show. She was active with 4-H and crowned Franklin County Dairy Princess in 2017.

She is currently serving her second term as co-secretary of the New York Jersey Cattle Club.
Kathryn was a member of the dairy and pre-vet clubs at SUNY-Cobleskill and helped found Sigma Alpha Gamma sorority. She judged dairy cattle at World Dairy Expo with teams that represented New York 4-H and SUNY-Cobleskill.

She was honored with the university’s Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence this year and earned the Excellence in Student Leadership Award twice.

William A. Russell Memorial Scholarship

Kylie Marie Konyn
Escondido, Calif.

This scholarship is available to high school graduates accepted into a college or university for the fall program of the school year (entering freshmen).

Kylie Marie Konyn, Escondido, Calif., has been named recipient of the $2,000 scholarship. She is a freshman at the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a double major in dairy science and either life science communications or genetics. Kylie graduated as valedictorian from Saint Joseph Academy in 2021 and earned college credits from Modesto Junior College and Palomar Community College as well.

Long term, Kylie plans to process dairy products from her Jersey herd and market to consumers in the San Diego area. She is well on her way as she has purchased equipment for the creamery and begun to submit plans.

She grew up on a Holstein dairy farm and launched her 60-head Jersey herd with a purchase from one of her mentors, Regina Pozzi. Foundation purchases also came from the Pot O’Gold Sale and other Registered Jersey breeders.

She has shown cattle at local, state, and national venues, including The All American Jersey Show, where her homebred entry, Aspire Fizz for the Lady, earned Best Bred and Owned laurels in the winter yearling class last fall. Kylie has earned multiple All-California or Reserve All-California certificates and was named premier 4-H Dairy Exhibitor at the California State Fair.

Kylie attended Jersey Youth Academy in 2021 and was named first alternate in the National Jersey Queen Contest in 2020. She is currently serving her second term as president of the California Junior Jersey Cattle Association and has also presided over the California Junior Holstein Association.

She is secretary of her 4-H club and a member of National Honors Society and National Society for High School Scholars.

Jack C. Nisbet Memorial Scholarship

Colin Ron Wussow
Cecil, Wis.

This scholarship is presented to an eligible candidate in the 2020 National Youth Achievement Contest.

Colin Ron Wussow, Cecil, Wis., winner of the 2020 National Youth Achievement Contest, will be awarded this $1,750 scholarship as well. He is a senior at the University of Wisconsin (UW)-River Falls with a major in agricultural business and minors in dairy science and crop science. He plans to return to the family farm, Milk-n-More Farms LLC, upon graduation. The Wussows milk a mixed herd of 100 Jerseys and Holsteins and operate a custom harvesting business.

Colin attended Jersey Youth Academy in 2019 and received the V. L. Peterson Scholarship in 2020. He has been an escort for the National Jersey Queen Contest. He won the 2009 National Jersey Youth Production Contest with Michael Centurion Darla, owned in partnership with his sister, Kaila, and placed second in the 2019 Pot O’Gold Production Contest with JX D & E Harris Violet 16197-ET {5}. In addition to the Pot O’Gold Sale, he has bought from, consigned to and led for the Wisconsin State Sale and The All American Jersey Sale.

His FFA honors include the 2018 Wisconsin Star Farmer and the 2019 Wisconsin Dairy Entrepreneurship Proficiency Award. He was a National Diry Entrepreneurship Finalist as well. He served his local chapter as vice president and helped to establish an annual supper to honor public service workers.

Colin was president and vice president of the Wisconsin Junior Jersey Breeders Association and president, vice president, and secretary for 4-H. He received the James Crowley Scholarship Award from Wisconsin 4-H in 2018.

At UW-River Falls, he is a member of the Dairy Club, the Agricultural Business Management Society and Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. He has also played offensive lineman for the university’s football team.

V. L. Peterson Scholarship

Meghan Jo Hettinga
Orange City, Iowa

Students who have completed at least one year of college work are eligible for this scholarship.

Meghan Jo Hettinga, Orange City, Iowa, will be presented with the V. L. Peterson Scholarship of $1,750 this year. She is a senior at South Dakota State University (SDSU), majoring in dairy production and minoring in communication studies.

She grew up on her family’s 160-cow Registered Jersey dairy and purchased her first calf from her parents as a first grader. Two other foundation purchases from the Iowa Pot O’Gold Sale won the production contest for those animals in 2011 and 2013. A highlight of her youth showing career was winning Grand Champion at her county fair in her last year of eligibility with Hettingas Jamison Nilla.

Meghan was a member of Jersey Youth Academy in 2019. She placed 10th in the 2020 National Jersey Youth Achievement Contest and received the Paul Jackson Memorial Scholarship in 2020. She worked at Cinnamon Ridge Dairy in Donahue, Iowa, this summer as a winner of the Fred Stout Experience.

She was vice president of her 4-H club and sat on the Sioux County Youth Council. She is a former president, vice president and chaplain for Holland FFA and was crowned Iowa Dairy Princess for 2020-2021.

Meghan has judged dairy products for the team at SDSU and is an ambassador for the College of Agriculture Food and Environmental Sciences. She is on the leadership team for Oasis, a campus ministry, and belongs to the Jackrabbit Track and Field program.

She serves on the All American Junior Activities Committee and the National Dairy Shrine Social Media Committee.
Her career goal is to work in an occupation that helps dairy producers unite to share their message with consumers, be that in production agriculture or communications.

Paul Jackson Scholarship

Natalie Marie Berry
Sherwood, Ore.

This scholarship is available to students who have completed at least one year of college work.

Natalie Marie Berry, Sherwood, Ore., the reigning National Jersey Queen, is the winner of this $1,000 scholarship. She is a junior at Washington State University (WSU) working towards a nursing degree with a minor in psychology. She plans to apply for nursing school in the spring of 2022.

Natalie may be equally known in Jersey circles for her efforts in the show ring. She has shown at the county, state, regional and national levels. Her achievements culminated at the All American last fall when Triple-T-Heath Getaway to Cancun-ET, a cow she owns with her sister, Mia, was tapped National Grand Champion and Supreme Champion of the North American International Livestock Exposition and Reserve Grand Champion of the junior show.

In addition to her royal duties as National Jersey Queen, Natalie promoted dairy as the Washington County Dairy Princess Ambassador and First Alternate Oregon Dairy Princess Ambassador in 2019.

She was active with 4-H and FFA. She showed cattle in 4-H for seven years and in FFA for four years. She was vice president and secretary of her local FFA chapter and served as reporter at the local and district levels.

Natalie is active with Rho Nu and WSU Scientista, professional clubs for students pursuing nursing and health careers. As well, she represented her dormitory floor as senator of the residence hall government.

Her dream is to become a nurse practitioner and open a clinic in rural America so she can operate a small farm as well. Her mission is to help farmers and their families live better lives. Some day, she may even serve someone she has met through dairy youth activities.

Cedarcrest Farms Scholarship

Gracelyn Jane “Gracie” Krahn
Albany, Ore.

This award is for an undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in a program to earn a degree in large animal veterinary practice, dairy production, dairy manufacturing, or dairy product marketing. Through completed coursework and a goal statement, the student must demonstrate significant progress towards the degree and clear intent for a career in agriculture.

Gracelyn Jane “Gracie” Krahn, Albany, Ore., will receive this scholarship in the amount of $1,250. She is a sophomore at Linn Benton Community College (LBCC) with plans to transfer to Oklahoma State University in fall 2022 and double major in agricultural communications and dairy sciences, with a minor in political science.

She and her family operate Royal Riverside Farm and operate a farmstead creamery that sells products in 45 outlets across Oregon. Gracie has shown cattle at local, state, and national venues. A highlight was showing the 2013 All American and Junior All American Intermediate Calf, Miss Nastias Tequila Nutcracker-ET.

Natalie is also recognized for her time in the spotlight as 2019 National Jersey Queen. She placed fourth in this year’s National Jersey Youth Achievement Contest and received the Bob Toole Youth Award in 2020. Gracie also served on the AJCA Youth Activities Committee.

She won the Oregon Star Farmer award from FFA and was a national finalist for dairy production proficiency in 2020. This fall, she will receive her American FFA Degree. Gracie was chapter and district president for FFA and also presided over her local 4-H club.

In addition to Jersey royalty, she was crowned as the 2021-2022 Oregon Dairy Princess Ambassador. She is a member of Agriculture Future of America and the livestock judging team for LBCC.

Bob Toole Youth Award

Emma Ruth Vos
Maribel, Wis.

The Bob Toole Youth Award is designated for a high school graduate to fund either college expenses or a clearly defined practical educational experience related to breeding, developing, and showing Registered Jerseys.

Emma Ruth Vos, Maribel, Wis., will be honored with the award of $1,250. She graduated from Manitowoc Lutheran High School this spring and will be a freshman at the University of Wisconsin (UW)-Madison this fall. She plans to pursue a degree in agricultural business management and dairy science.

She grew up on a farm established by her grandparents and helps manage her family’s herd of 140 Registered Jerseys. Emma milks and feeds cows, feeds and tags calves, vaccinates, cleans pens and helps in the fields. She owns five head of Jerseys in partnership with her sister. They trace to a heifer purchased by their grandfather in the Pot O’Gold Sale. She has exhibited at local, state and national shows and helped youth with non-farm backgrounds care for and show heifer calves.

Emma attended Jersey Youth Academy in 2021 and was crowned Manitowoc County Dairy Princess this past year.

She is serving her third year as secretary of her 4-H club and has been treasurer as well. She was a member of the dairy judging team that competed at a national contest.

Emma received scholarships from Country Visions Cooperative, Manitowoc County Farm Progress Days, Sunnyside Dairy Farms LLC, the Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation and the UW Agriculture Alumni Board.

In school, she was active with Lancer Singers and played junior varsity basketball. She worked behind the scenes at sporting events and promoted dairy in classrooms across the county.
Emma plans to return to the home farm and operate the business with her siblings and work off the farm as well in a agriculture related field.

Morris B. Ewing ABS Global Genetic Performance Scholarship

Lydia Rose Chittenden
Schodack Landing, N.Y.

Junior or senior undergraduate students seeking a career in genetics, dairy production, large animal veterinary medicine or milk marketing are eligible for this scholarship.

Lydia Rose Chittenden, Schodack Landing, N.Y., receives this year’s scholarship of $2,250. She completed two years at SUNY-Cobleskill and will be a junior at Cornell University this fall. She is majoring in animal science with a concentration in dairy.

She operates Dutch Hollow Farm LLC, a 750-cow Registered Jersey dairy, with her extended family. She takes a special interest in calf care and genetics, which sprouted from experience flushing one of her foundation cows, Dutch Hollow Legion Kitty.

Lydia placed third in the 2020 National Jersey Youth Achievement Contest. In previous years, she received the Jack C. Nisbet Scholarship and the William A. Russell Memorial Scholarship. She attended Jersey Youth Academy in 2019. Lydia has earned awards in the National Jersey Youth Production Contest and the Pot O’Gold Production Contest many times.

During the summer, she travels an extensive show circuit that culminates with The All American Junior Jersey Show. She was master showperson of the Columbia County Fair in 2015 and showed Supreme Champion in 2018. She earned Best Bred and Owned laurels at the 2013 All American Junior Jersey Show.

Lydia was treasurer of her 4-H club and represented her state at the National 4-H Dairy Conference in 2017. She was a member of dairy judging teams that competed at contests at the Pennsylvania All-American Dairy Show and World Dairy Expo, where she placed ninth overall both times. Lydia was active with Cornell University’s PRO-DAIRY program.

She was captain of her high school varsity soccer and basketball teams. She played women’s basketball for SUNY-Cobleskill and was treasurer of the dairy club as well.

The Lineweaver Scholarship

Mary Elizabeth Holtz
Maquoketa, Iowa

This award is available to students who have completed at least one year at an accredited four-year college or university in a dairy, animal science, or dairy products department. It is based on financial need, leadership skills, and academic performance.

Mary Elizabeth Holtz, Maquoketa, Iowa, has been named winner of this $2,500 scholarship. She is a senior at Iowa State University. Mary will graduate with an animal science degree and then pursue an advanced degree in animal breeding and genetics.

She operates Holtz-View Farms with her family. She plans to pursue a career specializing in large animal reproduction, with a focus on embryo transfer, invitro fertilization and other insemination procedures.

Mary place seventh in the 2020 National Jersey Youth Achievement Contest and third in Division II of the 2020 National Jersey Youth Production Contest. She received the Cedarcrest Farms Scholarship in 2020 and attended Jersey Youth Academy in 2019.

She has advocated for dairy for most of her life, beginning in 2006 when she was crowned Jackson/Clinton County Little Miss Dairymaid at the age of five. She became the “Dairy Princess” in 2019. She also was the 2018 Iowa Jersey Princess.

Service to 4-H includes club president, vice president, secretary, and reporter. She also is active with County Council and Young Leaders Council and participated in dairy quiz bowl. She was chapter reporter for FFA and judged on the team that competed World Dairy Expo.

At Iowa State, Mary is a member of the pre-vet and dairy science clubs. For the later, she is co-chair of the dairy products committee and a member of the state fair “I Milked a Cow” committee. She sits on the council for Larch Residence Hall and received the Christina Hixson Opportunity Award.

The Walter and Joyce Owens and Family Scholarship

Joshua David “Josh” Seals
Tillamook, Ore.

The newest of the scholarship offerings of the AJCA, this award in available to incoming or current students enrolled at an accredited two- or four-year college or university in a dairy related major. It is based on financial need, leadership skills, and academic performance.

Joshua David “Josh” Seals, Tillamook, Ore., is the inaugural recipient of the $3,500 scholarship. He is a college junior taking classes at both Eastern Oregon University (EOU) in La Grande and Oregon State University in Corvallis. He is studying agriculture science and plans to return to the home dairy, Sunny Ridge Dairy. His return will initiate an expansion that accommodates about 50% more cows.

He placed second in the 2020 National Jersey Youth Achievement Contest and ranked among the top 10 in Division II of the 2020 National Youth Production Contest with JX Sun Valley Harris Peach {5}. He was a member of Jersey Youth Academy VI and received the AJCA Directors’ Scholarship in 2020.

He served two terms as president of his 4-H club and was president and vice president of his FFA chapter. He showed cattle throughout his junior career, earning champion dairy showman laurels of the Tillamook County Fair in 2019.

In high school, Josh was captain of the football team and wrestled for his school as well. A skilled welder, he was project leader on multiple large fabrication projects for the agriculture engineering program.

Josh is serving his second term as treasurer of the EOU Trap Club. He has also been nominated by the club to represent the agriculture community on the EOU university council.
One of his short-term goals is to breed a heifer that qualifies for the National Heifer Sale, to be hosted by his home state in 2022. As well, he would like to breed a bull sampled through A.I.

Reuben R. Cowles Youth Educational Award

James Edward Holton
Dawsonville, Ga.

This award was established as a tribute to North Carolina Jersey breeder Reuben R. Cowles for his dedication to the Jersey breed. The award recipient must be a resident of one of six southeastern states: Florida, George, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee or Virginia. It can be used to fund education or a Jersey educational experience.

James Edward Holton, Dawsonville, Ga., has been named the winner of the Reuben R. Cowles Youth Educational Award. He will receive a scholarship in the amount of $2,000 at the Youth Awards Ceremony held with All American festivities in Louisville, Ky., on November 7, 2021.

Holton earned an animal science degree from the University of Georgia (UGA) in 2019 and is now enrolled in the university’s College of Veterinary Medicine. He plans to become a food animal veterinarian.

He and his twin brother, Matthew, operate H2 Jersey Farm. The herd was established in 2012 as three show heifers and today numbers 40 head. A portion of the herd traces to purchases from the Pot O’Gold Sale.

James also received the Cowles youth award in 2017 and 2018. He won the Russell-Malnati Scholarship for Advanced Studies in 2019 and the AJCA Directors’ Scholarship in 2017. He attended Jersey Youth Academy in 2013.

As an undergraduate, he competed on the dairy judging and dairy challenge teams and was an ambassador for the college. He chaired the dairy science club’s commercial dairy heifer show and was named the club’s Outstanding Junior.

James has continued his role as ambassador for the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine and sits on the school’s scholarship committee as well. He is active with the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP). He is president of the local student chapter and serves on the reproduction committee of the national organization. He also belongs to the UGA Veterinary Business Management Association, the UGA Student Affiliate Veterinary Medicine Association, and Omega Tau Sigma fraternity. He is a member of the palpation team and the theriogenology club.

This past summer, James was a veterinary intern with Select Sires in Plain City, Ohio, where he gained experience in semen collection and surgeries. He has also worked for Parker Veterinary Clinic and All Animals Veterinary Hospital.

Anne E. Perchard Challenge Award

Harley Lin Silva
Modesto, Calif.

This scholarship recognizes accomplishments, abilities, and leadership potential and challenges the recipient to achieve full potential through continued Jersey activities. Available to national achievement contest or scholarship applicants.

Hartley Lin Silva, Modesto, Calif., will receive the scholarship award of $350. She graduated from Modesto High School this spring and will be a freshman at Modesto Junior College this fall. She is majoring in agricultural sciences with an emphasis on dairy science. Hartley then plans to attend California Polytechnic State University and earn a degree in agriculture communications and a minor in agriculture education. Her career aspiration is teaching agriculture.

Though she grew up with Holsteins and began competing in pee-wee showmanship with the black and whites, she begged for something different. She was given her first Jersey calf at the age of six. Hartley put her heart into caring for a daughter of this animal and training her for the show ring. Together, they won multiple showmanship awards.

This summer, she attended Jersey Youth Academy. She is the reigning California Jersey Queen and secretary for the California Junior Jersey Cattle Association.

Recently, she was named winner of the state FFA dairy production entrepreneurship award. She has served Modesto FFA as vice president, historian and sentinel and the Stanislaus/Tuolumne Section FFA as treasurer. Hartley has been secretary and vice president for Stanislaus County Hi 4-H Club.

Hartley also received the Vernon Chase Agriculture Scholarship and a scholarship from the California Jersey Cattle Association.

Off the farm, she helps a local processor sell meat at a farmer’s market and works at a horse ranch, where she feeds and exercises horses.

Fred Stout Experience Awards

In addition to the scholarship awards listed above, three juniors received Fred Stout Experience Awards. Hannah Diehl, McVeytown, Pa., was chosen as the 2020 recipient for Jersey Marketing Service. Because of COVID-19, her internship was postponed until this summer. Elizabeth Gross, New Ringgold, Pa., is winner of the 2021 award. She will begin her internship with JMS this fall.
Meghan Hettinga, Orange City, Iowa, was selected for the on-farm experience. She worked at Cinnamon Ridge Dairy, Donahue, Iowa, to learn about on-farm processing and interacting with consumers.

Awards for 2022-2023

Applications for 2022-2023 Jersey youth scholarships will be accepted from April 1 through July 1, 2022, and forms will be available closer to the deadline on the USJersey website.
For more information, contact Kim Billman, AJCA Director of Communications, at 6486 E. Main St., Reynoldsburg, OH 43068, kbillman@usjersey.com, or 614322-4451.