National Junior Holstein Association members shared their passion for Holstein cows and the dairy industry at the 2025 National Holstein Convention in St. Louis, Missouri. From June 23 to 26, 2025, nearly 300 enthusiastic Junior Holstein members participated in the Convention. Throughout the week, youth members engaged in various contests, enjoyed local tours, attended enriching workshops, and forged new connections with fellow members.
“Attending the National Holstein Convention was an incredible opportunity to connect with like-minded youth from across the country and meet some truly inspiring adults who share a passion for the Holstein breed,” says Junior Holstein Member and DJM finalist Alexis Hoefs from New Prague, Minnesota. “It was amazing to spend time in the Union Station soaking in the beauty and deep history of the area, making the experience even more unforgettable.”
Prepared Public Speaking
Thirty-eight youth members from across the country showcased their presentation skills during the Prepared Public Speaking contest. Speech topics covered a broad range of dairy industry topics, including beef on dairy, a world without dairy, artificial intelligence in the dairy industry, and more.
Junior Division (ages 9-13 as of January 1)
1st place: Brynley Bossard, New York
2nd place: Seth Peiffer, Pennsylvania
3rd place: Sedona Sifford, Virginia
Intermediate Division (ages 14-17 as of January 1)
1st place: Chloe Chapman, California
2nd place: Abby Meyer, Wisconsin
3rd place: Logan Harbaugh, Wisconsin
Senior Division (ages 18-21 as of January 1)
1st place: Sarah Craun, Virginia
2nd place: Brianna Meyer, Wisconsin
3rd place: Gabriella Taylor, New York
Extemporaneous Speaking
The Extemporaneous Speaking Contest is open to Juniors in the senior division. The contest is designed to help youth develop the ability to think on their feet and broaden their knowledge of dairy industry topics. Contestants were judged on organization of material, power of expression, voice, stage presence, and response to questions.
Senior Division (ages 18-21 as of January 1)
1st place: Case Melzer, Missouri
2nd place: Aubree Topp, Ohio
3rd place: Heather Hodges, California
Folding Display Contest
This year’s Folding Display competition, now in its 16th year, had forty-one entries. Participants create a free-standing display educating people about a dairy industry-related topic of their choice. Youth are divided into three age divisions, and each division has two categories - Scientific and Creative. Following are the results for each category.
Creative Division
Junior Division (ages 9-13 as of January 1)
1st place: Carson Rauen, Iowa
2nd place: Hailey Zook, Pennsylvania
3rd place: Ashtyn Gehringer, Pennsylvania
Intermediate Division (ages 14-17 as of January 1)
1st place: Charlotte Quick, Pennsylvania
2nd place: Brinkley Burdette, Pennsylvania
3rd place: Suzanna Oesch, Michigan
Senior Division (ages 18-21 as of January 1)
1st place: Elaina Lahmers, Ohio
2nd place: Casey Zirk, Pennsylvania
3rd place: Carlee Roell, New Jersey
Scientific Division
Junior Division (ages 9-13 as of January 1)
1st place: Briecyn Kurth, Minnesota
2nd place: Andrea Hix, Pennsylvania
3rd place: Violet Mendez, California
Intermediate Division (ages 14-17 as of January 1)
1st place: Amy Adolphsen, Washington
2nd place: Lydia Kaverman, Ohio
3rd place: Abby Brown, Pennsylvania
Senior Division (ages 18-21 as of January 1)
1st place: Sophie Griswold, Pennsylvania
2nd place: Carlee Roell, New Jersey
3rd place: Faith Wolfe, Pennsylvania
Digital State Scrapbook
The Digital Scrapbook Contest gives each state the chance to tell the story of activities and events their Junior Holstein associations take part in each year. Entries must be presented on a computer or another digital format and share judges on their news clippings, photo organization, originality, and variety of activities.
1st place: Virginia
2nd place: Missouri
3rd place: California
4th place: New England
5th place: Minnesota
State Banner
The state banner competition allows states to creatively showcase their associations, displayed throughout the week at the Convention. Judges assess the banners based on promotion of state, Holstein related, attractiveness, originality, and overall appearance.
1st place: California
2nd place: Ohio
3rd place: Pennsylvania
Mission Membership
One state is recognized each year for increasing their membership. The honor is calculated on a percentage increase from January 1 to June 1 of the convention year. Wisconsin and Ohio tied for the honor in 2025.
NHWSO Awards Scholarships
Four Junior Holstein members were awarded scholarships by the National Holstein Women’s Scholarship Organization (NHWSO) during the National Junior Holstein Convention. Madeline Hensel, Wisconsin, received a $5,000 scholarship and Lauren Breuning, Wisconsin, Rachel Craun, Virginia, and Elaina Lahmers, Ohio received $2,000 scholarships.
New Representative Elected to Junior Advisory Committee (JAC)
Three new youth representatives were elected to the National Junior Advisory Committee (JAC) during the National Junior Forum. Cayden Bursiek from Ohio was elected to represent Area II, Ainsley Sellers from Pennsylvania was elected to represent Area I, and Mykel Mull was elected as the new At-Large member.
The JAC is the governing body of the Junior Association and oversees the organization's activities. Youth committee members are elected by the Junior membership at the National Junior Forum, and members serve two-year terms.
For more information about Junior Holstein Association’s youth programs, visit www.holsteinfoundation.org, or contact Kelli Dunklee, youth programs specialist, at 800.952.5200, ext. 4124, or by email.
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.
