Introducing the 2021-2022 Junior Red Angus Board of Directors These juniors will dedicate the next year to equipping and preparing all JRA stakeholders to be leaders, innovators, stewards and advocates for the Red Angus breed, the beef industry and agriculture. Emma Ahrendsen is the daughter of Brian and Karla Ahrendsen. She resides in Sioux Rapids, Iowa, where she graduated from Sioux Central High School this last spring. During high school, she was involved in football and basketball cheer, individual and large group speech, student government, National Honor Society, FFA, 4-H, track and eld, band and choir, and the Iowa Junior Red Angus Association. As a board member, Emma hopes to encourage members to get more involved. She is very excited to serve on the board and cannot wait to see what the future holds. Peri Andras is the daughter of Will and Kim Andras of Manchester, Illinois. She will be starting her senior year of high school this fall. Peri is active in FFA and 4-H, where she serves as President and Vice President, respectively. She is also a member of the National Honor Society and Morgan-Scott CEO program. Peri looks forward to serving the Red Angus breed and encouraging others to pursue leadership roles. Isaac Berg of Pipestone, Minnesota, is the son of Philip and Laurel Berg. Isaac grew up with pigs, cattle and sheep. Isaac has been involved in 4-H and FFA all throughout high school and has been involved in livestock,
meats and poultry judging. Isaac was a team captain for his cross country and track teams. Isaac has really enjoyed his time at Red Angus events like Round-Up and learned a lot and had a lot of fun. He wants to give back and help others have the same amazing experiences that he had. Natalie Evans is the daughter of Sean and Amy Evans. She and her family run a small commercial and registered Red Angus cattle operation near Jacksonville, Illinois. Natalie is a junior at Routt Catholic High School where she has been on the High Honor Roll for ve semesters, competes in varsity track and is a member of the cheer squad. She has been a 4-H member for eight years and has held the ofces of president, vice president and secretary. Additionally, she is a member of the Morgan/Scott County 4-H Federation. Natalie is very passionate about Red Angus and wants to become even more knowledgeable about the breed while developing strong relationships with other members and breeders. Shannon Jenkins, daughter of Jeff and Liz Jenkins, is a junior education major at the University of Central Missouri. Raised on a cow-calf operation in Lebanon, Missouri, her family focuses on herd functionality and appeal. During high school, she was an active board member in the local 4-H and FFA chapters and she remains involved with the Missouri Junior Red Angus Association.
Shannon believes the future of our industry lies with our youth, which is why both education and advocating are vital to her. She encourages all members to get involved with the RAAA. Mitchell VanderWal is the son of Jeff and Beth VanderWal of Brentford, South Dakota. In high school, he was involved in FFA, Future Business Leaders of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, track, football, band, chorus, drama, robotics and student council. He has shown cattle, sheep and pigs through 4-H and numerous breed associations since a young age. As a board member he hopes to be an inuential leader in the breed and agriculture. He believes his extensive experience and passion for leadership, cattle and agriculture will provide a foundation for his board service. Tiffany Watkins is the daughter of Andy and Sandy Watkins, from Dade City, Florida. She is currently pursuing a degree in livestock production at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College where she is involved in the Sigma Alpha Sorority and the ABAC Cattlemen’s Association. She has also been involved in FFA, 4-H and the Junior Florida Cattlemen’s Association where she has held many leadership positions. Tiffany has been raising Red Angus for four years and is very passionate about the breed. She looks forward to promoting Red Angus all around the country, especially in the Southeast. n
2021 Young Stockman Program
Dec. 3-5 • University of Missouri at Columbia (Register by Nov. 1) $100 Registration – Scholarships Available For more information: redangus.org/jra/programs RED ANGUS Magazine n September 2021 67
