Uncover the achievements of young dairy enthusiasts at the 2024 National Holstein Convention. Who excelled in the Dairy Bowl, Jeopardy, and Knowledge Exam contests?
Emma Mast, California; Annika Donlick, New York; and Elsie Donlick, New York; won their respective divisions of Dairy Jeopardy at the 2024 National Holstein Convention.
The National Holstein Convention, held from June 24-27, 2024, in the vibrant city of Salt Lake City, Utah, proved to be a cornerstone event for young dairy enthusiasts. With over 250 youth participants, the convention bustled with energy as they competed in myriad dairy-related contests, including the Dairy Bowl, Dairy Jeopardy, and Dairy Knowledge Exam.
“These three competitions involved over 250 youth,” says Diedra Harkenrider, director of development and fundraising for the Holstein Foundation. During the day, these Juniors compete. By evening, they gather for games, dancing, and fun. Developing friendships with youth members nationwide is a huge benefit of the National Junior Holstein Convention.”
Dairy Jeopardy: A Thrilling Competition for Young Dairy Enthusiasts
Dairy Jeopardy brings the excitement of the popular television game show to the National Holstein Convention, offering a fun and competitive platform for young dairy enthusiasts to showcase their knowledge. This year, the contest saw 63 contestants from 21 states compete, challenging their expertise with various dairy-related questions across numerous categories. Below are the top three winners in each age division:
Junior Division (ages 9 to 13)
- 1st: Emma Mast, California
- 2nd: Daphne Frericks, Minnesota
- 3rd: Meghan Brauning, Maryland
Intermediate Division (ages 14 to 17)
- 1st: Elsie Donlick, New York
- 2nd: Jillian Anderson, Pennsylvania
- 3rd: Kyle Ainger, Illinois
Senior Division (ages 18 to 21)
- 1st: Annika Donlick, New York
- 2nd: Kristen Houser Whitehill, Pennsylvania
- 3rd: Rachel Craun, Virginia
National Dairy Bowl Contest: Showcasing Team Spirit and Dairy Expertise
The National Dairy Bowl contest is an exciting team-based competition that brings together young dairy enthusiasts nationwide. Participants form four-person teams, and the contest is divided into two age groups: Junior Division (ages 9-15) and Senior Division (ages 16-21). This year, the contest saw intense competition, with 26 teams from 18 states vying for top honors in their respective divisions. These teams demonstrated their dairy knowledge and teamwork skills through challenging rounds, making for an engaging and educational experience.
The New York and Pennsylvania teams faced off in the Junior Division championship match—the Pennsylvania. Team members Ian Briechle, AidenSoden, Selah Lewis, and coach Mike Kowaleski took home champion honors. Josiah Freier, Abigail Freier, Noah Lovell, Luke Taylor, coach Dale Freier, and assistant coach Jonathan Taylor competed on the New York team. The top five Junior Dairy Bowl teams were Illinois in third, New England in fourth, and California in fifth place.
In the Senior Division championship match, teams from Pennsylvania and Wisconsin went head-to-head for the coveted first-place title. The triumphant Pennsylvania team consisted of Madelynn Hoffman, Alexa Hoffman, Jacob Bramm, and AJ Wanner, coached by Epsucheolige Hoffman. Logan Harbaugh, Jacob Harbaugh, Evan Jauquet, Sydney Gwidt, Claire Betley, and coaches Sara Harbaugh and Heather Jaquet competed on the second-place Wisconsin team. The top five Senior Dairy Bowl teams were rounded out by New England in third, New York in fourth, and Iowa in fifth place.
The J. George & Anna Smith Sportsmanship Awards: Celebrating Exemplary Character and Team Spirit
The J. George & Anna Smith Sportsmanship Awards are significant as they recognize the teams that exemplify the true spirit of sportsmanship—courtesy, friendliness, and team spirit—throughout the National Dairy Bowl competition. Winning this award is an honor, reflecting the character and camaraderie of the team members and their ability to represent the values of the Holstein Foundation positively.
This year, in the Junior Division, the Sportsmanship Award was presented to the team from Utah. Team members included Tristen Ostrom, Evan Brey, Ian Brick, and Alivia Wiese under the guidance of coach Peggy Coffeen.
The Minnesota team earned the Sportsmanship Award in the Senior Division. Nicole Schwab coached team members Lorryn Trujillo, Sydney Bullard, Charlie Haynes, and Katelyn Poitras.
The Dairy Knowledge Exam: Showcasing Youth Expertise in the Dairy Industry
The Dairy Knowledge Exam offers a fantastic opportunity for youth to demonstrate their understanding of the dairy industry. Designed as a 25-question written test, it is open to all National Junior Holstein Convention attendees who wish to challenge their dairy knowledge. This year, 170 youths enthusiastically participated. Like other competitions, participants are categorized into two age groups: the Junior Division and the Senior Division. This structure ensures a fair and level playing field, enabling young dairy enthusiasts to shine within their respective age brackets.
In the Junior Division, Josiah Freier from New York claimed the top spot. Landon Jenkins from Pennsylvania secured second place, while Fernando Valadao from California was third.
In the Senior Division, Hayley Fernandes from California claimed first place, Marie Haase from Wisconsin took second place and Mykel Mull from California secured third place.
The Bottom Line
The 2024 National Holstein Convention in Salt Lake City highlighted the dedication, knowledge, and enthusiasm of young Holstein aficionados through competitions like Dairy Bowl, Dairy Jeopardy, and the Dairy Knowledge Exam. These events tested their dairy expertise and fostered camaraderie and lifelong friendships.
Congratulations to all participants and winners for their outstanding achievements! Your hard work and passion for the dairy industry are truly commendable. Let’s nurture this passion and encourage the next generation of dairy leaders. Your engagement today shapes the future of the dairy industry.
For more information about Holstein Foundation youth programs, visit www.holsteinfoundation.org or contact Diedra Harkenrider, Director of Development for the Holstein Foundation and Holstein Association USA, at dharkenrider@holstein.com.
