BARABOO, Wis. — The annual Wisconsin Junior Holstein Convention was hosted by the Waupaca and Waushara County juniors in Appleton, Wis., on December 28-30, 2021. More than 350 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 28 junior, 15 senior, and six rookie teams competed.
More than 40 volunteers helped coordinate Dairy Bowl matches, Dairy Jeopardy contests, and the speaking contest. The Sheboygan County team took first place in the senior Dairy Bowl contest with Shawano County coming in second place. The winner of the junior division was Brown County with Shawano County taking second also. Team members on the senior Sheboygan County team include Jared Abraham, Elise and Brady Bleck and Zoe Ertel. The Brown County junior team consisted of Madison Wiese, Tristen Ostrom, Emily Ossmann and Evan Brey. Sheboygan and Brown Counties will represent Wisconsin at the National Holstein Convention in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in June 2022.
Rounding out the top five for the junior division were Fond du Lac County Team 2, Sheboygan County and Rock County, respectively. Finishing in third through fifth place in the senior division were Fond du Lac County, Door County and Iowa County.
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 was earned by Alison Gartman of Sheboygan County and third went to Grace Hensel, Wood County. In the intermediate division, Brianna Meyer of Manitowoc/Calumet County topped the group with Elizabeth Gunst, Dodge County, and Jacob Harbaugh, Shawano County, placing second and third, respectively. Marissa Vosberg of Green County was the winning contestant in the senior division, with Jared Abraham of Sheboygan County placing second and Emma Dorshorst of Wood County 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, Alison Gartman of Sheboygan County, and Claire Dorshorst of Wood County. In the intermediate division, Madison Wiese of Brown County, took home top honors. Maddie Hensel of Wood County placed second and Elena Jarvey of Shawano County placed third.
On Wednesday evening, the annual banquet was held to honor outstanding juniors in the association. Brian “Mac” McCullough of Green County and Hannah Hockerman of the District 5 Junior Holstein group 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 seven other Distinguished Junior Members (DJM), 12 Young Distinguished Junior Member winners (YDJM), and 12 Twelve & Under Recognition winners, all of which excelled in their Wisconsin Holstein activities in 2021.
In addition to McCullough and Hockerman, 2021 Distinguished Junior Members included Elise Bleck, Sheboygan County; Ashley Brandel, Jefferson County; Matthew Gunst, Dodge County; Kaianne Hodorff, Fond du Lac County; Ainsley Noble, Grant County; Emily Stumpf, Fond du Lac County; and Marissa Vosberg, Green County.
The Young Distinguished Junior Holstein Members included: Katie Brandel, Jefferson County; Alison Gartman, Sheboygan County; Cathryn Gunst, Waupaca-Waushara Counties; Christopher Gunst, Waupaca-Waushara Counties; Elizabeth Gunst, Dodge County; Logan Harbaugh, Shawano County; Ellie Larson, Rock County; Laney Neuser, Manitowoc/Calumet Counties; Ella Raatz, Clark County; Dylan Ryan, Fond du Lac County; Paige Sweatt, District 5; and Madison Wiese, Brown County.
Lastly, Twelve & Under Member Recognition was awarded to Royce Booth, Sheboygan County; Justin Brandel, Jefferson County; Evan Brey, Door County; Kayla Buttles, Grant County; Makenna Gilbertson, Iowa County; Madison Harbaugh, Shawano County; Vivian Lichty, Dodge County; Miles Rickert, Fond du Lac County; Cameron Ryan, Fond du Lac County; Braelyn Sarbacker, Dane County; Madison Sarbacker, Rock County; and Payton Sarbacker, Dane 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. Hannah Hockerman, Mac McCullough, Elise Bleck and Marissa Vosberg were all chosen to represent Wisconsin as DJMs. The YDJM delegates include Logan Harbaugh, Elizabeth Gunst and Cathryn and Christopher Gunst.
The 2022 Wisconsin Holstein Princess and Attendant were also crowned at the banquet on Wednesday evening. This year, Madeline Hensel of Wood County will serve as the WHA Princess, and Elena Jarvey of Shawano 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 Kaylee Mess and Emily Stumpf, both of Fond du Lac County.
Wisconsin Holstein awarded more than $17,000 in scholarships this year, and an auction was held to raise funds for future awards. Donated items auctioned included:
- P’ri CBD product bundle, donated by Peggy Coffeen
- Krista Ann Photo & Film Photography Session, donated by Krista Styer
- A stay at Dr. Daluge’s Ski House in Montreal, Wis., donated by Rick and Peggy Daluge
- Green Bay Packers mini helmet signed by Mason Crosby, donated by Green Bay Packers
- 2 Club seats for a 2022 game, donated by the Milwaukee Brewers
- Framed & matted “Seven Wonders of Wisconsin” print
Funds from these items are put into the WHA scholarship fund, and $3,100 was added this year. High school seniors, short course, 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, including Junior Progressive Breeder and Long Range Production. Those receiving Junior Progressive Breeder Awards include:
- Colton, Ashley, Katie and Justin Brandel, Jefferson County
- Reagan and Garrison Klinkner, Vernon County
- Payton, Braelyn and Reagan Sarbacker, Dane County
- Brooke Hammann, Barron County
- Dylan and Cameron Ryan, Fond du Lac County
- Gracin and Chesney Speich, Rock County
- Jared and Macie Abraham, Sheboygan County
- Matthew, Elizabeth, Cathryn and Christopher Gunst, Dodge and Waupaca/Waushara Counties
- Cathryn and Christopher Gunst, Waupaca/Waushara County
- Christopher Gunst, Waupaca/Waushara County
- Emily Stumpf, Fond du Lac County
- Jacob, Logan and Madison Harbaugh and Adella and Ainsley Loehr, Shawano and Fond du Lac Counties
- John and Katie Wackershauser, Grant 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:
- Jared and Macie Abraham, Sheboygan County
- Colton, Ashley, Katie and Justin Brandel, Jefferson County
- Gracin and Chesney Speich, Rock County
- Reagan and Garrison Klinkner, Vernon County
In the over 150,000-pound category are:
- Brooke Hammann, Barron County
- Jared and Macie Abraham, Sheboygan County
- Shyanne Hammann, Barron County
- Tessa and Stella Schmocker, Jefferson County
- Dylan and Cameron Ryan, Fond du Lac
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: Lauren Breunig, Dane County; Courtney Glenna, Polk County; Matthew Gunst, Dodge County; Summer Hammann, Barron County; Hannah Hensel, Wood County; Hannah Hockerman, District 5; Mac McCullough, Green County; Sam Mess, Fond du Lac County; Ainsley Noble, Grant County; Tyler Schroepfer, Langlade County; Emily Stumpf, Fond du Lac County; and Clarissa Ulness, Manitowoc County.
The convention concluded Thursday 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 for the southwest district was Evan Hathaway of Iowa County, Emma Bangart of Wood County for the northwest district, Lauren Breunig of Dane County for the southeast, and Brianna Meyer of Manitowoc/Calumet County for the northeast district. Elizabeth Gunst of Dodge County was also elected to serve a one-year term for the southeast district. These members join second-year members Clarissa Ulness of Manitowoc/Calumet County, Ainsley Noble of Grant County and Hannah Hensel of Wood County.
The contest room is an excellent way to show off projects completed by junior members throughout the year. Members participate in photography, drawing and painting, crafts, and folding display contests. Results are as follows:
Photography Contest
Junior Animal
- First: Jacob Raatz, Clark County
- Second and People’s Choice: Ella Raatz, Clark County
- Third: Cathryn Gunst, Waupaca/Waushara County
Junior People
- First: Ella Raatz, Clark County
- Second: Cathryn Gunst, Waupaca/Waushara County
- Third: Cathryn Gunst, Waupaca/Waushara County
- People’s Choice: Payton Sarbacker, Dane County
Junior Farm Scene
- First and People’s Choice: Kendra Strebel, Shawano County
- Second: Jacob Raatz, Clark County
- Third: Ella Raatz, Clark County
Senior Animal
- First: Matthew Gunst, Dodge County
- Second and People’s Choice: Brianna Meyer, Manitowoc/Calumet County
- Third: Emma Bangart, Wood County
Senior People
- First and People’s Choice: Matthew Gunst, Dodge County
- Second: Elizabeth Gunst, Dodge County
Advertising Contest
Amateur
- First and People’s Choice: Elise Bleck, Sheboygan County
- Second: Ella Raatz, Clark County
- Third: Madison Sarbacker, Rock County
Professionally Assisted
- First and People’s Choice: Jacob, Logan and Madison Harbaugh, Shawano County
Folding Display Contest
Intermediate
- First: Ella Raatz, Clark County
- Second (tie) and People’s Choice: Alex Hackmann, Manitowoc/Calumet County
- Second (tie): Cathryn Gunst, Waupaca-Waushara County
Arts & Crafts Contest
Junior
- First: Cathryn Gunst, Waupaca-Waushara County
- Second and People’s Choice: Grace Hensel, Wood County
- Third: Harlee Harbaugh, Vernon County
Senior
- First: Brianna Meyer, Calumet County
- Second: Elena Jarvey, Shawano County
- Third and People’s Choice: Elizabeth Gunst, Dodge County
The annual essay contest encourages members to write about assigned topics relating to today’s dairy industry. In this year’s junior division, taking top honors was Christopher Gunst, Waupaca-Waushara County; Makayla Weyer, St. Croix County, was second; and Cathryn Gunst, Waupaca-Waushara 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 Shawano County. Shawano County also won the Bell-R-Ring contest.
Tristen Ostrom of Kaukauna was this year’s winner of the calf raffle. Thank you to Grass-Ridge Farm, the Lippert Family of Pittsville, 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: Foremost Farms, Badger Dairy Club, UW-Platteville Pioneer Dairy Club, Cattle Connection, ST Genetics, Genovations, Sartori, United Cooperative, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, Genex, Zoetis, World Dairy Expo, Hoard’s Dairyman, Premier Cooperative, Origin Reproduction, and Boehringer Ingelheim.
The Wisconsin Holstein Association would like to commend the Waupaca-Waushara County Junior Holstein Association members and chaperones, and extend a special thank you to all volunteers that helped make the weekend a success! The 2023 Wisconsin Junior Holstein Convention will be hosted by Manitowoc/Calumet County.
For more information visit the WHA website at www.wisholsteins.com or call the office at 1-800-223-4269.
— Wisconsin Holstein Association
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