Wisconsin Junior Holstein hosts 2023 Junior Convention

Baraboo, Wis. - January 11, 2023 -- The annual Wisconsin Junior Holstein Convention was hosted by the Manitowoc and Calumet County Juniors in Manitowoc, Wis., January 6-8, 2023. More than 400 Holstein members, chaperones, and volunteers were in attendance to help make the event a success. Throughout the convention, junior members participated in numerous contests including speaking, arts and crafts, photography, Dairy Jeopardy and Dairy Bowl. The largest competition of the weekend was Dairy Bowl, in which 34 junior, 18 senior, and six rookie teams competed. More than 40 volunteers helped coordinate Dairy Bowl matches, Dairy Jeopardy contests, and the speaking contest. The Manitowoc/Calumet team took first place in the senior Dairy Bowl contest with Sheboygan County coming in second place. The winner of the junior division was Shawano County with Brown County taking second. Team members on the senior Manitowoc/Calumet team include Clarissa and Garrett Ulness, Lauren Siemers and Brianna Meyer. The Shawano County junior team consisted of Madison and Logan Harbaugh, Addison Fischer and Lydia Gwidt. The Manitowoc/Calumet and Shawano County teams will represent Wisconsin at the National Holstein Convention in Lexington, Kentucky in June 2023. Rounding out the top five for the senior division were Fond du Lac County, Wood County, and Iowa County respectively. Finishing in third through fifth place in the junior division were Fond du Lac County Team 2, Dodge County Team 1 and Sheboygan County Team 1. All juniors at the convention had the chance to compete in the Dairy Jeopardy competition. The top competitor in each of three age brackets has the opportunity to compete at the national level. Winning the junior division was Cameron Ryan of Fond du Lac County, second went to Abby Meyer of Manitowoc/Calumet County and Alivia Wiese of Brown County took third. In the intermediate division, Madison Wiese topped the group with Macie Abraham, Sheboygan County, and Jacob Harbaugh, Shawano County, placing second and third, respectively. Kelsey Hardy of Iowa County was the winning contestant in the senior division, with Lauren Siemers of Manitowoc/Calumet County placing second and Sam Mess of Fond du Lac taking home third place. In the speaking contest, Wisconsin can send up to three delegates in each division to compete at the National Convention. To compete, youth must prepare a speech on a topic related to the dairy industry at a length assigned to their specific age division. Heading to the National Convention this year in the junior division are Vivian Lichty of Dodge County, Henry Gartman of Sheboygan County, and Eli Schommer of St. Croix County. In the intermediate division, Madison Wiese of Brown County, took home top honors. Madeline Hensel of Wood County placed second and Abby Meyer of Manitowoc/Calumet County placed third. Emily Stumpf of Fond du Lac County placed first, Ava Booth of Sheboygan County placed second and Courtney Glenna of Polk County was third. On Saturday evening, the annual banquet was held to honor outstanding juniors in the association. Matthew Gunst of Dodge County and Lauren Siemers of Manitowoc/Calumet County claimed the most prestigious honor, being named Outstanding Holstein Boy and Girl, respectively. These individuals have excelled in their Holstein projects and have been an asset to the association and dairy industry as a whole. Also receiving honors were 10 other Distinguished Junior Members (DJM), 14 Young Distinguished Junior Member winners (YDJM), and 13 Twelve & Under Recognition winners, all of which excelled in their Wisconsin Holstein activities in 2022. In addition to Gunst and Siemers, 2022 Distinguished Junior Members included Ashley Brandel, Jefferson County; Zoe Ertel, Sheboygan County; Courtney Glenna, Polk County; Jacob Harbaugh, Shawano County; Madeline Hensel, Wood County; Evan Jauquet, Shawano County; Chloe LaCrosse, Door County; Sam Mess, Fond du Lac County; Ainsley Noble, Grant County; and Emily Stumpf, Fond du Lac County. The Young Distinguished Junior Holstein Members included Jaron Begert, Clark County; Justin Brandel, Jefferson County; Katie Brandel, Jefferson County; Alison Gartman, Sheboygan County; Cathryn Gunst, Waupaca-Waushara County; Christopher Gunst, Waupaca-Waushara County; Vivian Lichty, Dodge County; Leah Mess, Fond du Lac County; Laney Neuser, Manitowoc/Calumet County; Ella Raatz, Clark County; Cameron Ryan, Fond du Lac County; Dylan Ryan, Fond du Lac County; Stella Schmocker, Jefferson County; and Madison Wiese, Brown County Lastly, Twelve & Under Member Recognition was awarded to Royce Booth, Sheboygan County; Evan Brey, Door County; Kayla Buttles, Grant County; Elise Gilbertson, Iowa County; Makenna Gilbertson, Iowa County; Madison Harbaugh, Shawano County; Adella Loehr, Fond du Lac County; Natalie Mauk, Sheboygan County; Lexi Metzler, Vernon County; Braelyn Sarbacker, Dane County; Madison Sarbacker, Rock County; Landon Wendorf, Dodge County; and Alivia Wiese, Brown County. Of the exceptional youth recognized, four representatives in the DJM and the YDJM categories were selected to submit award forms to the national level with hopes of being honored at the National Convention. Ainsley Noble, Lauren Siemers, Madeline Hensel and Courtney Glenna were all chosen to represent Wisconsin as DJMs. The YDJM delegates include Katie Brandel, Christopher and Cathryn Gunst and Dylan Ryan. The 2023 Wisconsin Holstein Princess and Attendant were also crowned at the banquet on Saturday evening. This year, Ava Booth of Sheboygan County will serve as the WHA Princess, and Aubrey Behling of Marathon County will join her as the WHA Princess Attendant. The WHY Leadership Merit award recognizes youth who excel in leadership at a local level. They are nominated by an advisor or fellow junior member by means of an application on their behalf. This year’s award recipients include Brianna Meyer, Manitowoc/Calumet County and Gunnar Sperle of Jefferson County. The WHY (Wisconsin Holstein Youth) Friend award honors those who have gone above and beyond to help juniors. This year’s WHY Friend in the one to five years of leadership was awarded to Paul Grulke and Jenna Achterhof of St. Croix County. In the more than six years of leadership category, Jeff and LeaAnn Bleck of Sheboygan County were recognized. Joseta Halbur was recognized as Friend of the JACs. Wisconsin Holstein awarded more than $20,000 in scholarships this year, and an auction was held to raise funds for future awards. Donated items auctioned included: CBD Relaxation Basket, donated by P’ri CBD, Peggy Coffeen Collector’s Football, donated by the Green Bay Packers UW-Madison Men’s Basketball tickets, donated by the Halbur family Photography session donated by Krista Ann Photography Andis Clippers donated by the Ryan family A stay at Dr. Daluge’s Ski House, donated by Rick and Peggy Daluge Funds from these items are put into the WHA scholarship fund, and more than $7,300 was added this year. High school seniors, and two and four-year college students that are members of WHA are all eligible for these scholarships. Throughout the convention, youth were recognized for other outstanding achievements. Those receiving Junior Progressive Breeder Awards include: Jared and Macie Abraham, Sheboygan County Cole, Ava, and Campbell Booth, Sheboygan County Colton, Ashley, Katie, and Justin Brandel, Jefferson County Katie Brandel, Jefferson County Brooke Hammann, Barron County Jacob, Logan, and Madison Harbaugh, Shawano County Reagan and Garrison Klinkner, Vernon County Adella and Ainsley Loehr, Fond du Lac County Dylan and Cameron Ryan, Fond du Lac County Gracin and Chesney Speich, Rock County Emily Stumpf, Fond du Lac County Clarissa Ulness, Manitowoc County Long Range Production recognizes owners of cows that have produced over 100,000 pounds in their lifetime. In the over 100,000 pounds category: Gracin and Chesney Speich, Rock County Colton, Ashley, Katie, and Justin Brandel, Jefferson County Emily Stumpf, Fond du Lac County Lauren and Brayden Breunig, Dane County Matthew, Elizabeth, Cathryn, and Christopher Gunst of Dodge and Waupaca/Waushara Counties Summer Hammann, Barron County In the over 150,000-pound category are: Jared and Macie Abraham, Sheboygan County Lauren and Brayden Breunig, Dane County Brooke Hammann, Barron County In the over 200,000-pound category are: Lauren and Brayden Breunig, Dane County The Junior Farm Trip is awarded to youth interested in learning more about the Wisconsin Holstein industry and spending time touring farms and agri-businesses on a two-day tour in the spring. This year’s trip recipients include: Emma Bangart, Wood County; Ashley Brandel, Jefferson County; Sara Dorshorst, Wood County; Zoe Ertel, Sheboygan County; Jacob Harbaugh, Shawano County; Maddy Hensel, Wood County; Evan Jauquet, Shawano County; Abigail Murphy, Iowa County; Brooklyn Schwoerer, Marathon County; Lauren Siemers, Manitowoc/Calumet County; Gunnar Sperle, Jefferson County; and Garrett Ulness, Manitowoc/Calumet County. The convention concluded Sunday morning with an awards breakfast and the annual business meeting, where four new Junior Activities Committee (JAC) members were elected. The JAC group is responsible for coordinating and overseeing all junior events within the Wisconsin Holstein Association. Elected to two-year terms included Paige Sweatt of the District 5 group for the southwest district, Madeline Hensel of Wood County for the northwest district, Ashley Brandel of Jefferson County for the southeast, and Jacob Harbaugh of Shawano County for the northeast district. These members join second-year members Brianna Meyer of Manitowoc/Calumet, Evan Hathaway of Iowa County, Lauren Breunig of Dane County and Emma Bangart of Wood County. The contest room is an excellent way to show off projects completed by junior members throughout the year. Members participate in advertising, photography, arts and crafts, and folding display contests. Results are as follows: Photography Contest Junior Animal First: Peyton Voegeli, District 5 Second: Madison Harbaugh, Shawano County Third: Callie Behling, Marathon County People’s Choice: Adella Loehr, Fond du Lac County Junior People First: Callie Behling, Marathon County Second and People’s Choice: Ella Raatz, Clark County Third: Alison Gartman, Sheboygan County Junior Farm Scene First: Leo Gartman, Sheboygan County Second and People’s Choice: Callie Behling, Marathon County Third: Madison Harbaugh, Shawano County Senior Animal First: Madeline Hensel, Wood County Second and People’s Choice: Christopher Gunst, Waupaca-Waushara County Third: Elena Jarvey, Shawano County Senior People First and People’s Choice: Tanna Luchterhand, Clark County Second: Madeline Hensel, Wood County Third: Madeline Hensel, Wood County Senior Farm Scene First: Emily Stumpf, Fond du Lac County Second and People’s Choice: Erin Torgerson, Vernon County Third: Madeline Hensel, Wood County Advertising Contest Amateur First and People’s Choice: Madison Sarbacker, Rock County Second: Mylie Wendorf, Dodge County Third: Ella Raatz, Clark County Professionally Assisted First and People’s Choice: Clarissa and Garrett Ulness, Manitowoc/Calumet Second: Jacob, Logan and Madison Harbaugh, Shawano County Folding Display Contest Junior First and People’s Choice: Erika Sleznikow, Clark County Second: Braxton Huser, Wood County Intermediate First: Alison Gartman, Sheboygan County Second: Amelia Dittman, St. Croix County Third and People’s Choice: Ella Raatz, Clark County Arts and Crafts Contest Cow Camp Craft First and People’s Choice: Abby Schultz, Manitowoc/Calumet County Second: Makenna Gilbertson, Iowa County Third: Adella Loehr, Fond du Lac County Junior First and People’s Choice: Grace Hensel, Wood County Second: Leah Mess, Fond du Lac County Third: Abby Schultz, Manitowoc County Senior First and People’s Choice: Erin Torgerson, Vernon County Second: Erin Torgerson, Vernon County Third: Cathryn Gunst, Waupaca-Waushara County The annual essay contest encourages members to write about assigned topics relating to today's dairy industry. In the junior division, Alison Gartman of Sheboygan County placed first, Erika Sleznikow of Clark County was second and Laney Neuser, Manitowoc/Calumet County placed third. Winning the senior division was Emily Stumpf, Fond du Lac County. Tessa Schmocker, Jefferson County was second and Amelia Dittman, St. Croix County was third. One of the most coveted awards among juniors, based on participation throughout the year and enthusiasm, is the Premier County award, which was won by Manitowoc/Calumet County. St. Croix County won the Bell-R-Ring contest. Rubi Klinkner of Viroqua was this year’s winner of the grand prize in the calf raffle. Thank you to Ragnar Holsteins, the Ulness Family of Valders, for donating the Registered Holstein heifer for this year’s raffle. We would also like to thank the following businesses for their donations of additional prizes: Badger Dairy Club, UW-Platteville Pioneer Dairy Club, World Dairy Expo , Sartori, Semex, St. Jacobs ABC, Southwest Technical College, Genovations, John Deere, Origin Reproduction, Foremost Farms, Premier Cooperative, UW-River Falls Dairy Club, GENEX and Zoetis. The Wisconsin Holstein Association would like to commend the Manitowoc/Calumet County Junior Holstein Association members and chaperones and extend a special thank you to all volunteers that helped make the weekend a success! The 2024 Wisconsin Junior Holstein Convention will be hosted by Fond du Lac County. Photos of award winners and identification can be found here: http://bit.ly/3izFpoI