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Red Angus Key to Scholarship Winners’ Success
To advance its mission of equipping and preparing its young members to be leaders, innovators, stewards and advocates of the Red Angus breed and the beef business, the Red Angus Association of America Junior Activities committee annually awards scholarships to young men and women involved in agriculture. These scholarships are awarded to JRA members that are active in the association, as well as in their communities and the beef industry, and are planning to attend either two-year colleges or four-year universities in the coming year. Recipients completed an extensive application and interview process, and have proven their communications skills, professionalism and potential for leadership.
The RAAA junior activities committee is pleased to name each of the following five JRA members as a recipient of the Red Angus Association of America’s $1000 college scholarship.
Mitchell VanderWal is the son of Jeff and Beth VanderWal of Brentford, South Dakota. Mitchell has loved agriculture his whole life. Ranging from raising cattle to learning about plants, he has always been eager to learn more. His education at Northwestern High School of Mellette, South Dakota, taught him to always look up to the next level of progress. This mindset has aided him in building his cattle herd. The marketing knowledge that he learned and acquired during his time at South Dakota State University has taught him how to manage his assets and explore his career aspirations. The Junior Red Angus Association has taught him life lessons that he will cherish for a lifetime. His communication and herdsmanship skills have benefited tremendously from his Red Angus involvement. With all these skills combined, he will grow his cattle herd and jumpstart his career.
Natalie Evans is the daughter of Sean and Amy Evans of Jacksonville, Illinois. She and her family run a commercial and registered cattle operation called Coal Creek Cattle Company. Currently, she is a senior at Routt Catholic High School where she is a part of sideline cheerleading, varsity track team, student council, NEHS, National Honor Society, service club and ambassador club. Outside of school, she is involved in 4-H where she has held the positions of president, vice-president and secretary of her club. Being involved in the Red Angus breed and the beef industry has encouraged her to pursue a degree in pre-veterinary medicine with the intention of going on to veterinary school. She also has the strong ambition to continue her family's operation alongside her two siblings.
Jamie Geyer, from Lisbon, North Dakota, is the daughter of Wylie and Sherry Geyer. Jamie will graduate from Lisbon High School in May 2022. She has excelled in school by always being on the honor roll. She has been involved in many outstanding organizations during high school. She has also been the local 4-H club treasurer for the last 4 years and served one year as the treasurer and two years as chapter president in her FFA chapter. She is the sixth generation in her family to be involved in the agriculture industry and after graduating from college plans to go home to the family farm and continue to raise Red Angus cattle.
Bailey Jean Smith is the daughter of Michael and Sarah Smith. A resident of Shiner, Texas, she will graduate this spring. Throughout school she has been involved in cross country and track. One of her career goals is to write for a nationally renowned agricultural organization. Having been involved with Red Angus for most of her life, writing for a Red Angus-based magazine or other form of media would be a dream come true.
Calley Stubbs is a fifth generation rancher in Wallace, Kansas. She is the daughter of Becky and Darrell Vandike and Adam and Jill Stubbs. She is currently a senior at Wallace County High School where she is active in volleyball, basketball, scholar's bowl, forensics, choir, student council, and National Honor Society. Calley was first introduced to the Red Angus breed in 2011 when NAJRAE was held in her home state of Kansas. Calley plans on attending Butler Community College where she will study animal science and be a part of the livestock judging team. She plans to become a ruminant nutritionist where she will create and adjust rations for cattle.
The committee is also pleased to announce Dalia Weber as the recipient of the $500 Dee Sonstegard Memorial Scholarship.
Dalia Weber is the daughter of Todd and Valerie Weber. Born and raised in Rock City, Illinois, she attends Dakota Jr. Sr. High school and is involved in many activities including varsity basketball, football manager and president of the Dakota FFA Chapter. Red Angus has played a huge role in her life and will continue to as she plans to run for a junior board position and build her industry connections.
Source: RAAA press release
