Holstein Association USA is thrilled to recognize six exceptional young adults who have been named Distinguished Junior Member (DJM) finalists. The award is the highest honor bestowed on National Junior Holstein Association members.
“This accolade has celebrated the efforts of youth in the dairy industry and their work with Registered Holsteins since 1922,” says Kelli Dunklee, Holstein Association USA Event and Program Lead. “We’re proud to continue recognizing outstanding young adults in the dairy industry and look forward to seeing where they will go in the future.”
Holstein Association USA named the DJM finalists on June 26, 2025, during the National Junior Holstein Convention Awards Breakfast in St. Louis, Missouri. Congratulations to the 2025 Distinguished Junior Member finalists!
2025 DJM Finalists:
Lauren Breunig, Sauk City, Wisconsin
Rachel Craun, Bridgewater, Virginia
Delana Erbsen, Lanark, Illinois
Evan Hathaway, Barneveld, Wisconsin
Alexis Hoefs, New Prague, Minnesota
Brianna Meyer, Chilton, Wisconsin
DJM judging is a two-part process. Youth members competing put together a book highlighting their Junior Holstein work, activities and projects, breeding program, and personal views. The Junior’s entry book is worth 60 percent of the final score, and the top individuals are named DJM Semifinalists based on their book score.
Phase two of the contest takes place at National Junior Holstein Convention, where the semifinalists are interviewed by a committee of judges. The interview is worth 40 percent of the final score, and the six individuals with the highest combined scores are named DJM finalists.
Young Distinguished Junior Member Finalists
Eight Junior Holstein members ages 9 to 16 were selected as Young Distinguished Junior Member (YDJM) finalists. The applicants were judged on their YDJM books, which highlight their accomplishments and leadership with the Junior Holstein Association and beyond.
The YDJM finalists were recognized during the 2025 National Junior Holstein Convention in St. Louis, Missouri. Congratulations to these outstanding Junior Holstein members for their impressive accomplishments!
2025 YDJM Finalists:
Justin Brandel, Lake Mills, Wisconsin
Gavin Carncross, Lodi, Wisconsin
Chloe Chapman, Keyes, California
Elyse Mead, Biglerville, Pennsylvania
Abby Meyer, Chilton, Wisconsin
Hannah Scott, Westgate, Iowa
Olivia VanEvera, Cobleskill, New York
Grant Yoder, Belleville, Pennsylvania
For more information about the Distinguished Junior Member and Young Distinguished Junior Member awards and other Holstein Association USA youth programs, visit www.juniorholstein.com . To learn more about National Holstein Convention, visit www.holsteinconvention.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 LinkedIn.
Cutline: The 2025 Distinguished Junior Member finalists were named on June 26, 2025, at the National Holstein Convention in St. Louis Missouri. The finalists, pictured from left to right, back row: Delana Erbsen, Evan Hathaway, Alexis Hoefs; front row: Brianna Meyer, Rachel Craun, and Lauren Breuning.
Cutline: The 2025 Young Distinguished Junior Member finalists were recognized during the 2025 National Holstein Convention. Pictured in the back from left to right are Elyse Mead, Chloe Chapman, Gavin Carncross, Justin Brandel, and Grant Yoder. In the front from left to right are Olivia VanEvera, Hannah Scott, and Abby Meyer.
