National Junior Holstein Convention Kicks Off with Dairy Jeopardy

The 2014 National Holstein Convention has officially begun in beautiful Dubuque, Iowa. Today marked the official start of the Convention, and events are in full swing with numerous Junior activities!

The National Holstein Dairy Jeopardy contest marked the official start of the Junior Convention, and other contests were held throughout the day. In three age divisions, more than 75 participants competed for their shot at bringing home the top award. Here are the results:

Junior Division:

1^st Place: Hayley Fernandes, CA

2^nd Place: Corbin Gauthier, KS

3^rd Place: Hanna Richman, NJ

Junior Jeopardy victors (l-r): Hayley Fernades, Corbin Gauthier and Hanna Richman.

Intermediate Division

1^st Place: Emily Irwin, IL

2^nd Place: Casey Porter, NY

3^rd Place: Nathan Arthur, IA

Intermediate Jeopardy champions (l-r): Emily Irwin, Casey Porter and Nathan Arthur.

Senior Division:

1^st Place: Andy Sell, WI

2^nd Place: Joey Adams, IA

3^rd Place: Sally Hamlett, IA

Winning contestants of Senior Jeopardy (l-r): Sally Hamlett, Joey Adams and Andy Sell.

At the Distinguished Junior Member (DJM) Luncheon, 12 DJM semi-finalists were honored. These youth interviewed today with a panel of judges, and the top six finalists will be announced Saturday afternoon at the Junior luncheon.

Emma Andrew, Newark, N.Y.

Elizabeth Davis, Union Bridge, Md.

Hayleigh Geurink, Grand Rapids, Mich.

Sara Kitchen, Danville, Pa.

Cassandra Krull, Lake Mills, Wis.

Jaylene Lesher, Bernville, Pa.

Lauren Nell, Gettysburg, Pa.

Ryan Pralle, Humbird, Wis.

Nicholas Schuster, Fond du Lac, Wis.

Joshua Simon, Farley, Iowa

Meghan Vaill, Vernon, N.Y.

Carrie Warmka, Fox Lake, Wis.

The eight Young Distinguished Junior Members (YDJM) were also honored at the luncheon:

Daniel Kitchen, Danville, Pa.

Haely Leiding, Fountain, Minn.

Stephanie McBath, Schuylerville, N.Y.

Megan Nelson, Ettrick, Wis.

Nicole Pralle, Humbird, Wis.

Sierra Swanson, Hutchinson, Minn.

Sarah Thomas, Pittsboro, N.C.

Lora Wright, Verona, Mo.

Juniors also competed throughout the day with the Prepared Public Speaking Contest and Dairy Knowledge Exam, the results for these two contests will be announced at the Awards Luncheon on Saturday.

Check back tomorrow for more highlights from Convention Host Day activities and Iowa Social Night!