Kayla Meyer of Hinckley, Ill., won a $1,500 scholarship from The Maschhoffs on July 2 at the National Junior Summer Spectacular in Louisville, Ky., for her outstanding leadership and involvement in the swine industry.
Meyer, a recent graduate of Hinckley-Big Rock High School, plans to attend the University of Illinois in the fall where she will major in Agricultural Education. She hopes to one day become an agriculture teacher and FFA advisor in order to help her students reach success in their education, career and personal futures. She would also like to raise showpigs for young showmen and work with them to expand their knowledge of the swine industry.
Meyer is a four-year member of the NJSA and has been very involved during that time. She has participated in two NJSA National Youth Leadership Conferences, has shown at the National Junior Summer Spectacular and World Pork Expo Junior National, served as a mentor for the Mentoring Values People (MVP) program, and assisted with the state display for Illinois.
The Maschhoffs presented a $1,000 scholarship to Alicia Keller of Corfu, N.Y. Keller will be a sophomore at Purdue University where she is majoring in Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Communications. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career with an agriculture-based company or with the United States Department of Agriculture promoting products and programs that will enhance the agriculture industry.
In her four years as an NJSA member, Keller has taken advantage of almost every opportunity that has come her way. She has exhibited at the Eastern and Southeast Regionals and the National Junior Summer Spectacular, has volunteered to help with the skillathon, Kids Corner, registration and raffle ticket sales, and has attended three NJSA National Youth Leadership Conferences. Additionally, Keller has served as a mentor in the MVP program to three protégés. She has had multiple top-10 finishes in showmanship, speaking and poster contests and received the 2009 Darrell Anderson Leadership Award. She was also recently elected to serve as an Eastern Region director on the NJSA Board.
Applicants were required to submit an application, reference letters and an essay about the major challenge/opportunity for tomorrow's pork industry.
For more information about National Junior Swine Association scholarships, contact Jennifer Shike, NSR Director of Junior Activities, at 765.463.3594 or by e-mail at jennifer@nationalswine.com. For more information about The Maschhoffs, contact Julie Maschhoff at 618.594.2125 or by e-mail at juliem@pigsrus.net.
About the National Swine Registry
The National Swine Registry formed in 1994 as a result of the consolidation of the American Yorkshire Club, the Hampshire Swine Registry and the United Duroc Swine Registry. In January 1998, the American Landrace Association joined the NSR. These four breed organizations are located in one central office in West Lafayette, Ind.
About the National Junior Swine Association
The National Junior Swine Association is the fastest-growing youth livestock organization in the country. The NJSA was formally established in 2000 for youth, ages 21 and under, who have an interest in the Duroc, Hampshire, Landrace and Yorkshire breeds of swine. The NJSA offers youth a variety of opportunities to reach their potential through leadership conferences, scholarship programs, and national and regional junior shows featuring numerous educational contests.
National Swine Registry
Jennifer Shike
Director of Junior Activities
National Swine Registry
1769 US Hwy. 52 West
West Lafayette, IN 47906
765.463.3594