BISMARCK — A childhood dream became reality for Sara Hatlewick when she competed for Miss American Angus last year. Sarah was the first North Dakotan to compete for the title and was one of the top five finalists.
Growing up on the family’s third generation Angus operation developed Sara’s love for cattle and the Angus industry. “Angus beef is about the quality and genetics put into our beef,” said Sara. “That makes the marbling and how we get the prime rib.”
Competing for Miss American Angus is not an easy task. Sara first had to compete and win at the state level. The state competition consists of a six-page scholarship and questions about leadership and Angus events. Her volunteer, extracurricular and school work are also taken into consideration.
Leadership is a large part of competing for Miss American Angus. Sara’s leadership roles started with 4-H and FFA, as being president and secretary and treasurer.
“Through those roles I was able to grow, become a better leader and not only that but do multiple leadership conferences and grow as a team with other people.”
Sara found out in July of 2016 that she was one of the top five finalist for the Miss American Angus scholarship.
“It was pretty cool, ‘cause its always been my dream to do the national scholarship and even be considered for the Miss American Angus.”
The national competition took place in November of 2016. Sara traveled to Indianapolis and had to give a 5-7 minute speech in front of 150-200 people, answer a 50 question quiz and had to interview in front of three judges.
Sara said it was fun, nerve-wracking and educational.
“It’s always been my dream to try and be Miss American Angus ever since I was little, ever since I first saw them. Follow your dream. If you want to do something, follow what your heart says. It may be a tough dream but there is always a way to accomplish it.”
Sara is a true leader which was demonstrated through her essay she wrote for a NDFB scholarship last year.
Essay by Sara Hatlewick
Agriculture is a way of life like no other. Being involved in agriculture from an early age has given me life lessons that have not always been easy. I have learned how to nurture a baby animal and then lose that baby. I have learned what it takes to put in a long day’s work in the field and then have to make a trip to the barn at 2 am to assist in the birth of a baby lamb. Being brought up on a farm has not only taught me hardship, but it has given me great satisfaction in what it means to put a meal on the table. Although I am not one in need, I understand how some people feel when they cannot provide for their families.
I believe that the future of agriculture lies with our youth. I want to be able to promote agriculture to those youth and teach them more about where our food comes from and how it impacts their lives. Being involved with FFA and helping with different committees, I have found that so many of our youth have no idea that bread comes from flour that was milled from wheat. When I show the process as part of my class it gives me great pleasure to see the smile and the light go off in their heads as to what they have just learned.
Agriculture is important to providing for our future generations and the impact that it has now greatly depends on me and my generation.
— Lisa Hauf, North Dakota Farm Bureau
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