The Red Angus Association of America Junior Activities Committee is pleased to name each of the following five Junior Red Angus members as recipients of a $1,000 college scholarship. These scholarships are awarded to JRA members that are active in the association, as well as in their communities and the beef industry, and are planning to attend a two-year or four-year university in the coming year. Recipients completed an extensive application and interview process, and have proven their leadership and professionalism are a step above of crowd.

Trey Harvey of Carthage, Texas, is the son of Anthony and Judy Harvey. He and his family own and operate Diamond H Ranch in in the Galloway Community, where they raise registered Red Angus cattle. Throughout high school, Trey has been active in FFA, 4-H, JOAD Archery, Beta club, science club and NAJRAE. Trey has served in many leadership roles in FFA and is currently the chapter vice-president. He has been an active member of the livestock showing team since the fourth grade, competing at local, state and national levels. He stays busy with the daily management and care of his herd, but spends time serving his community by volunteering at a local food bank. Trey plans to attend Texas A&M University and study electrical engineering. He hopes to combine his ranching knowledge and the engineering curriculum to help cattlemen and women produce livestock in a more efficient environment.

Shaye Koester of Steele, North Dakota, is the daughter of Steve and Tracey Koester. She will be starting her sophomore year at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln this fall, where she is an animal science major, with minors in Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship and Nebraska Beef Industry Scholars. Shaye is very active at UNL and is currently part of UNL's Block and Bridle, Grazing Livestock Systems and Meat Science clubs. Shaye raises registered and commercial Red Angus cattle and serves on the JRA board. After college Shaye plans to continue raising Red Angus cattle and obtain a career within the beef industry.

Jenna Le Blanc is the daughter of Jay and Rhonda Le Blanc. A life-long resident of East Bernard, Texas, Jenna is actively involved in FFA and 4-H, and is a member of the National Honor Society, Power Set and Key Club at East Bernard High School. Outside of school she manages her own herd of cattle including a string of show heifers, steers and bulls, and also helps out on the family run commercial beef cattle ranch. Jenna will attend Texas A&M University in the fall, majoring in animal science with a goal of eventually applying to vet school. After graduation, she plans to pursue a career in veterinary medicine while continuing to run her own ranch, and enthusiastically advocating for the beef cattle and agriculture industry.

Kristen Massingill of Hamilton, Texas, is the daughter of Scott and Faith Massingill. She is a graduate of Hamilton ISD and was active in FFA and 4-H multiple years. Kristen has a passion for genetics and enjoys studying ways to improve animal nutrition, animal health and reproduction. Her career aspirations are to be an embryologist or veterinarian.

Andrea Rutledge of Big Sandy, Montana, is the daughter of Kelly and Kristie Rutledge and is a sophomore at Montana State University majoring in animal science. After earning her degree, she plans to return home to the family ranch to continue raising quality Red Angus cattle and will expand her business to include registered Red Angus sales and cattle reproduction services. Andrea is currently serving as the Montana FFA 2nd Vice President and Montana Junior Red Angus President.

The RAAA Junior Activities Committee is also pleased to announce Haley Marie VanWagner as the recipient of the $500 Dee Sonstegard Memorial Scholarship. Haley is a resident of New Waverly, Texas, and the daughter of Kim and Steve VanWagner. She attends Willis High School and actively participates in FFA, 4-H and volleyball. Her main extracurricular activity is showing heifers year round at different local, regional and national shows. She knows that no matter what her educational path may hold, Red Angus has become a prominent part of her life. She plans to continue her Red Angus breeding program and hopes to stimulate the younger generation to consider Red Angus whether it be showing or raising cattle.

For more information on the JRA Scholarship program or other JRA events, visit www.RedAngus.org

The Red Angus Association of America serves the beef industry by enhancing and promoting the measurable advantages of Red Angus and Red Angus-influenced cattle. The RAAA provides commercial producers with objectively described cattle by implementing new technologies and utilizing scientifically sound principles that quantify traits of economic importance to beef producers in all segments of the beef industry. For more information, visit www.RedAngus.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Attachments:

Harvey

Koester

LeBlanc

Rutledge

VanWagner