Junior Holstein Members Shine in Virtual Interview Contest

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Young dairy enthusiasts from coast to coast practiced their professional skills during the 2023 Virtual Interview Contest. The contest helps Junior Holstein members refine their resume writing and interview skills, giving them practical knowledge for future opportunities.

Junior Holstein Association member Dale Freier III from New York earned the first-place prize in the Senior Division of the Virtual Interview Contest.

“The virtual interview contest has been a valuable experience for me for several years as I have been able to improve my resume and cover writing skills as well as my interviewing skills,” says Junior Holstein Association member Elsie Donlick. “From participating in this contest, I now feel more confident in how my resume looks and how to answer interview questions. I enjoy participating in this contest because it helps me grow my professional career skills.”

Applicants submitted cover letters and resumes based on a mock interview scenario and were selected to move on to the second phase of the contest based on their combined cover letter and resume scores. During the second phase contestants were interviewed by a panel of three judges. Final scores were calculated based on each applicant’s cover letter, resume, and interview. Every participant receives constructive feedback from the judges to further enhance their interview aptitude.

Junior Division (ages 12-14 as of January 1)

1st place: Alison Gartman, Wisconsin
2nd place: Chloe Chapman, California
3rd place: Sophia Nielsen, Michigan

Intermediate Division (ages 15-17 as of January 1)

1st place: Madison Mowrer, Pennsylvania
2nd place: Elsie Donlick, New York
3rd place: Samuel Mell, Wisconsin

Senior Division (ages 18-21 as of January 1)

1st place: Dale Freier III, New York
2nd place: Clarissa Ulness, Wisconsin
3rd place: Kylie Konyn, Wisconsin

Cash prizes of $250 for first place, $100 for second place, and $50 for third place will be awarded in the junior and intermediate divisions. In the senior division, youth will be given cash prizes of $500 for first place, $250 for second place, and $100 for third place.

For more information about the Virtual Interview Contest, or other Holstein Association USA youth programs, visit www.holstein usa.com/juniors/ or contact Kelli Dunklee at kdunklee@holstein.com.

Holstein Association USA, Inc., provides programs, products and services to dairy producers to enhance genetics and improve profitability — including animal identification and ear tags, genomic testing, mating programs, dairy records processing, classification, communication, consulting services, and Holstein semen.

The Association, headquartered in Brattleboro, VT., represents approximately 25,000 members throughout the United States. To learn more about Registered Holsteins® and the other exciting programs offered by the Holstein Association, visit www.holsteinusa.com, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.