A Dream Come True by Libby Rushton

Newly elected NJHA Directors Lauren McMillan, Ill., JW Cox, Ky., Ralston Ripp, Neb., and Libby Rushton, Tenn.

Each year at the Junior National Hereford Expo, everyone anticipates the closing ceremonies where four new Hereford Juniors are handed the maroon jacket. These juniors receive the opportunity of a lifetime to serve on the National Junior Hereford Association Board of Directors. During the 2020 closing ceremonies, my anticipation was much higher than usual.

The week had been extremely long, but this is the moment I had waited for. I anxiously watched as each retiring director began to give their coveted jackets to a newly elected director, and wondered if the next could be me. I grabbed my mom’s hand as our retiring chairman stepped down off the stage, and after hugging her family began to walk in my direction. Putting on the maroon jacket for the first time is a feeling I will never forget.

Ever since my first Junior National Hereford Expo in 2012, I have watched the hard work and dedication of the board of directors put in to ensure every junior has the best experience possible. I remember how much of an impact they had on me from such a young age, and I always knew that I wanted to be able to do the same for other juniors.

When I was finally old enough to have the opportunity to run for the position, there was never any question. I hoped that I would be able to give back to the association that has given me so much over the years.

The process of running for the board started well before the 2020 JNHE. During the months before, I thought about the basis I wanted to run my campaign on. After much discussion, I finally settled on “Connect With Libby”. From that point, I began to decide what I wanted to accomplish if elected and began to use my time learning more about the Hereford breed and association.

Finally, the time came to travel to Kansas City. My entire week was spent working the ring, running errands, and my favorite, getting to walk the barn to speak to the delegates.

The junior board candidates also spent two of our evenings giving speeches and answering questions to allow the delegates a better opportunity to get to know us and hear our ideas and goals to further our association. It was an extremely busy week, but the people I met and the experience I gained in the process is something I will never forget.

As a Junior Board Director, we are the representatives of the Junior members. My campaign slogan was “Connect With Libby” because I truly want to see our breed connect in all aspects. Whether it be a generational connection, connecting our history to our future, or connecting our breed to others, I believe it is vital that we take advantage of these connections to further our breed even more.

The Rushton Family: Emma, Libby, Andrea, and Lee

We are all pieces of our association, and we all have a role to play in piecing together the future of our breed. I truly hope that over the next three years my team and I can urge juniors to get more involved and find their place in our industry and grow their love for Hereford cattle.

The fact that I am finally being able to live out this dream is still so surreal. I’m so thankful for this opportunity and Libby receives her maroon jacket from outgoing I’m so excited to see where God takes me the next three Chairman Taylor Belle Matheny. years!