The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoard’s Dairyman.
“The 35 young people from 18 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,” Chittenden said.
The opportunity to spend a week learning and interacting with leaders and professionals from both the USJersey organizations and the dairy industry will be invaluable to these young adults. For many, it will help define and maybe alter career paths. For all, the chance to spend a week with like-minded Jersey enthusiasts will create relationships that last a lifetime.”
Participants in the ninth Jersey Youth Academy, with their current academic institutions, are:
California: Kiara Konyn, Escondido (Classical Academy High School); Riley Whisler, Salinas (Salinas High School).
Georgia: Kayleigh Smith, Bowman (University of Georgia).
Illinois: Cassie Bohnert, East Moline (Iowa State University).
Iowa: Delaney Barber, DeWitt (Central DeWitt High School.
Kansas: Sophie Leach, Linwood (University of Wisconsin-Platteville).
Massachusetts: Samantha Peila, Gill (at home); Sofia Zina, Hadley (Smith Vocational Ag High School).
Mississippi: Lauren Bryant, Ripley ( Walnut Attendance Center); Lee Taylor, Booneville (New Site High School).
New Mexico: Hailey Horton, Mesilla Park (New Mexico State University).
New York: Patrick Bosley, Malone ( SUNY-Cobleskill); Zachary Chittenden, Schodack Landing (Maple Hill High School); Eden Cooper, Owego (Tioga Central High School); Marina Cox, Warsaw (Warsaw Central High School); Alexis Schultz, Marion (Marion Junior Senior High School).
North Carolina: Kaitlyn Crompton, Trenton (Jones Senior High School).
Ohio: Alex Coppersmith, Columbiana (at home).
Oregon: PaytonLynn Baldwin, Jefferson (Jefferson High School); Tatum Lancaster, Tillamook (Tillamook High School).
Pennsylvania: Norah Bechtel, Curryville (Central High School); Reese Burdette, Mercersburg (James Buchanan High School); Sarah Diehl, McVeytown (Virginia Tech); Ashlynne Lenker, Mechanicsburg (Cumberland Valley High School); Miranda Nickerson, Corry (Cornell University).
Rhode Island: Emma Roeben, Portsmouth (Narragansett High School).
Tennessee: Julia Fanning, Greeneville (University of Tennessee-Knoxville).
Vermont: Sarah Hill, New Haven (SUNY-Cobleskill); Brailey Livingston, New Haven (Mt. Abraham UHS); Addison Hubbell, Bristol (SUNY-Cobleskill); Isabella Wilbur, Orwell (Cornell University).
Washington: Robyn Porter, Deer Park (at home).
Wisconsin: Kelsey Hardy, Dodgeville (University of Wisconsin-Madison); Ava Kolodzienski, Beldenville (Ellsworth High School); Noelle Vos, Maribel (Manitowoc Luthern High School).
Applications were evaluated by a committee appointed by Chittenden and chaired by AJCA Director and chair of the Development Committee, Garry Hansen. 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.
