2018 MJHA All-Breeds Convention
The 2018 Minnesota Junior All-Breeds Convention took place March 23rd-25th at the Best Western in Mankato, Minn. This convention is held for juniors under the age of 21 who are passionate about the dairy community and the dairy cow. It was a great chance to meet new people throughout the state that share a common interest. Youth dairy enthusiasts from across the state of Minnesota gathered on Friday, March 23rd for the opening convention—themed as “Who Let the Cows Out?” After dinner, activities such as mixers and fun icebreakers were enjoyed by all, followed by the dairy knowledge bowl test.
Saturday, March 24th was a busy day filled with contests, tours, the annual awards banquet, and a dance. Juniors started the day by eating breakfast and competing in contests such as dairy jeopardy, dairy quiz bowl, and a prepared public speaking contest. This was a chance for members to present their knowledge of the dairy industry. The juniors then enjoyed a luncheon followed by a tour of Ruth Klossner’s Cow Collection Mooseum in Lafayette, Minn. Ruth is recognized in the 2015 Guinness World Record book for having over 17,800 cow pieces! Juniors also had the privilege of touring Forest-Lawn Holsteins owned and operated by Paul and Cindy Swenson of Nicollett, Minn. The juniors learned about embryo transfer, robotic milkers, automatic calf feeders, and had a chance to see some of the show animals on the farm. Forest-Lawn Holsteins is the oldest registered herd in the state and the oldest continuous registered herd in the country.
Later that evening, members dressed up for the annual awards banquet with keynote speaker Shannon Seifert—an Industry Relations Manager at Midwest Dairy. She encouraged members to “Live life like you left the gate open.” They also heard remarks on advocating for the dairy industry from the 64th Princess Kay of the Milky Way, Emily Annexstad. The juniors were recognized for their hard work with the presentation of awards to the winning production records, dairy jeopardy participants, dairy knowledge bowl teams, and prepared public speaking winners. McKenzie Swanson was presented with the Young Distinguished Junior Member (YDJM) award; both Haely Leiding and Kayla Leiding were presented with the Distinguished Junior Member (DJM) award. Jan and Jerry Albrecht presented the YDJM and DJM awards which they have sponsored for many years. The night was capped off with juniors busting out their best moves on the dance floor.
On Sunday, March 25th, the convention wrapped up with breakfast, the business meeting, election of new officers, door prizes, root beer floats, and county roll call. The 2018-2019 board was elected and is listed at left and in the picture blow. .
The 2017-2018 board would like to thank all the juniors that attended convention and hope they had a fun-filled experience. The 2018-2019 board is excited to work as representatives of MJHA for the upcoming year. This year, the 2018 Minnesota State Show will be held in Jordan, MN on June 19-23. All juniors are encouraged to register to network with members who share a passion for the dairy community!
Contest Results:
Speaking Contest Junior:
2nd place: Adhyn Schell
1st place: Shelby Swanson
Speaking Contest Intermediate:
3rd place: Madison Krueger
2nd place: Ashley Gruenes
1st place: Anna Sachs
Speaking Contest Senior:
2nd place: Katherine Gathje
1st place: Shelby Kuechle
Quiz Bowl Juniors:
3rd place:Team Beans, which included Ella Bauer, Brooke Bauer, Clara Thompson, and Isaac Rott
2nd place: Stearns Burns which consisted of Hailey Frericks, Kallie Frericks, Megan Ratka, Maggie Molitor, and Taylor Fester
1st place: Cow Herd which consisted of Tyler Ratka, Breiana Maus, Henry, Elizabeth Thyen and Amanda Vogel
Quiz Bowl: Seniors
3rd place: OG’s who consisted of Jacob Pierson, Arnie Gruenes, Adam Scapanski, Lukas Pierson, Seth Pierson and Isaac Nelson
2nd place: Shark Pack who consisted of Chandler Kurth, Cory Schmidt, Shelby Kuechle and Ben Donnay
1st place: Las Vacas who was Leif Annexstad, Matthias Annexstad, Nick Seitzer, Madison Krueger and Katherine Gathje
Jeopardy Juniors:
3rd place: Larkun Kurth
2nd place: Shelby Swanson
1st place: Tyler Ratka
Jeopardy Intermediates:
3rd place: Adam Scapanski
2nd place: Isaac Nelson
1st place: Madison Krueger
Jeopardy Seniors:
3rd place: Haely Leiding
2nd place: Lauren Hendel
1st place: Katherine Gathje
“New Board” 2018-2019-Front (left to right): Leif Annexstad, Chandler Kurth, Cory Schmidt, Ben Donnay, Matthias Annexstad. Back (left to right): Jacob Pehrson, Shelby Kuechle, Katie Thompson, Katherine Gathje, Lauren Libbesmeier.
“Old Board” 2017-2018-Front: Kayla Leiding, Katie Thompson, Sarah Beck, Lauren Hendel. Back: Haely Leiding, Leif Annexstad, Tyler Kappers, Matthias Annexstad Emily Annexstad. Not Pictured: Amy-Jo VanderWal
Memorial Scholarship Recipients: Katie Thompson and Katherine Gathje
High School Scholarship Recipients: Isaac Nelson and Isabelle Lindahl (not pictured)
Production Award Recipients: Nick Seitzer, Emily Annexstad, Leif Annexstad, Alyson Diebal
Photo Contest & Display Board: Aiden Shroeder (1st place Jr. display board, McKenzie Swanson (1st place photo contest) & Kendra Waldenberger (1st place Int. display board)
Senior Jeopardy: Katherin Gathje (1st place), Lauren Hendel (2nd place), Haely Leiding (3rd place)
Intermediate Jeopardy: Shelby Swanson (1st place), Isaac Nelson (2nd place), Madison Krueger (1st place).
Junior Jeopardy: Tyler Ratka, Shelby Swanson, Larkun Kurth
Senior Quiz Bowl Champions: Madison Krueger, Katherine Gathje, Matthias Annexstad, Leif Annexstad, Nick Seitzer.
Junior Quiz Bowl Champions: Amanda Vogel, Elizabeth Thyen, Breiana Maus, Tyler Ratka, Henry Salzl.
Senior Speaking: Shelby Kuechle (1st place), Katherine Gathje (2nd place).
Intermediate Speaking: Anna Sachs (1st place), Ashely Gruenes (2nd place), Madison Krueger (3rd place).
Junior Speaking: Adhyn Schell (2nd place), Shelby Swanson (1st place).