Junior Corner
Lexi ajsa Wetzel president
juniorshorthorn.com
Resilience [noun]: The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness. According to the Oxford Dictionary, this is the definition that comes up first when you look up the word resilience. Well if 2020 doesn’t show that the cattle industry has resiliency, then I don’t know what does. WOW, what a year it has been, from shutting down last March to where we are now, a year later. Who could have ever imagined the challenges we would face? However, they have simply been just that. Challenges that our industry has taken head on and never backed down from. That is why the word resilience sticks out to me. For those of us that had the opportunity to attend the Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City in January, I think we can all agree that is proof alone to how tough and dedicated the leaders of this industry are. After the National Western Stock Show was cancelled, industry leaders from Oklahoma saw an opportunity to provide an event for the cattle industry and give back. The number of government leaders alongside educational and industry leaders that made the show a success, is amazing to me. I have to say, I’ve learned many things from this challenging year about myself
and the agricultural industry. I’ve learned we are a strong group of people, who will persevere through good times and bad, in order to feed a nation and improve the lives of others. History doesn’t just remember the bad things that happen in a crisis, history also remembers those who rise above the crisis to improve things. I think there will be many people this year that will be remembered for their leadership in agriculture during these trying times. I am proud to be a part of history where we just kept moving forward! From an amazing Shorthorn Junior Nationals in Texas to the culmination of the show year in Oklahoma at the Cattleman’s Congress, records were broken for numbers exhibited, quality was highlighted, and records were broken for livestock and genetics sold. Thank you to all of the Association and industry leaders, sponsors, and volunteers, who were resilient and made these events happen. You go down in my history book as some of the greatest people I’ve met, and I hope to be able to give back to the industry and people who have given me so much. I can’t wait to see you all at the 2021 Shorthorn Junior Nationals in Louisville, KY. Until then, take care and show off how resilient you are! =
Upcoming Deadlines April 10th May 1st 52
Would you like to be leader of the AJSA?
Junior Board Applications are due April 10th to shelby@shorthorn.org. Visit juniorshorthorn.com/leadership/junior-board/ for the application and rules!
Did you know AJSA has scholarships?
Scholarship Applications are due May 1st to shelby@shorthorn.org. Visit juniorshorthorn.com/opportunities/scholarships/ for the application and rules!
shorthorn country = march 2021
Junior Board President :: Lexi Wetzel Vice President :: Gabriella Leone Secretary :: Allyssa Obrecht Public Relations :: Korbin Collins Director :: Kendall Nelson Director :: Tayler Bacon Director :: Faye Smith Director :: Miller Smith Director :: Colton Hulsey
Upcoming Junior Nationals 2021 • Louisville, KY June 20-26, 2021
2022 • Kansas City, MO 2023 • Des Moines, IA 2024 • TBA * Tentative Locations. Subject to Change *
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Words of Advice
Take that leap of faith and try something that is out of our comfort zone. MJ said it best. You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. So use that advice, you have no idea where those next steps could take you in life. Just go out and do it!
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A Year of Resiliency
