Junior Board Candidates Brandon Barr is currently attending Wilmington College where he is pursuing a degree in Agricultural Business with a minor in accounting. He would like to grow his herd of Shorthorns and eventually move out West to be a herd manager of a large herd of cattle. Brandon is the son of Jeff and Jill Barr of Xenia, Ohio. Brandon has been exhibiting Shorthorn cattle for the past seven years and believes his experience will help him on the junior board. Brandon has been active with his high school air force junior ROTC, serving as lieutenant colonel. He also has been active serving as a county 4-H advisor and as beef committee chairman. He has is involved on his college campus in collegiate 4-H, FarmHouse fraternity, and collegiate farm bureau. “I want to help these young kids in the same way the board helped me and watch them grow and reach their dreams as I did,” Brandon said. “I know how much on an impact the board has, and I have always been one to like to solve problems and make others’ lives better than before.” Kylee Dameron is currently a junior at Silex High School. After graduation, she plans to attend Casper Community College in Casper, Wyoming. She plans to major in Animal Science with a minor in Animal Nutrition. With her degree she plans to manage transportation of AI and ET. Kylee is the daughter of Kyle Dameron of Silex, Missouri. Kylee attended her first Shorthorn junior national in 2014 and has been involved with the Shorthorn industry for as long as she can remember. Kylee is involved with her FFA Chapter, currently serving as the VicePresident, helping to lead 200 members. She is also the Missouri Junior Shorthorn Association Vice-President. She serves on
the Missouri Club Calf Board where she has to gather sponsorships and donations. “Ever since a director helped me at my first junior national in 2014, I have looked up to the red coats,” Kylee said. “As I have got older, I have become an always willing to lend a helping hand type of person.” Brayden DeBorde is currently attending Texas Tech University where he is a double major in agriculture and applied economics as well as business administration. His long-term goal is to return to Ellis County to assist his dad on the family farm while adding value to the future of their farm. Brayden is the son of Eric and Meredith DeBorde of Bardwell, Texas where they raise and sell their own beef. He is working on the quality in his herd as a 4th generation Ellis County farmer and cattleman. Brayden was active in 4-H where he served as the Texas 4-H Council first vice chairman and District 8 Chairman. He has received many honors with the 4-H program. His goal is changing from serving the 65,000 Texas 4-Hers to representing Texas as a national junior board candidate. “It has been a personal goal of mine to wear the jacket in two organizations,” Brayden said. “Texas 4-H and the AJSA. As a leader I plan to advocate for helping youth leaders transition from young adults involved in showing livestock to being more involved in leadership roles within their local state breed associations.” Haylee Ferguson currently attends University of Tennessee, Knoxville where she is working toward a Food and Agricultural Business major. Haylee is the daughter of Kevin and Phyllis Ferguson of Rockvale, Tennessee. Haylee has a background in Shorthorns and works to improve her genetics through AI and
IVF. Haylee has been active with the Tennessee Junior Shorthorn Association serving as president and secretary. Haylee is a Haslam Scholar and undergraduate research assistant. She is also and Ignite Team leader to lead programs for incoming freshman for fall of 2022. She is a farm credit scholar and will begin learning about various sectors of agriculture until she graduates. “With a variety of leadership experiences, I truly enjoy being a part of a group or organization that can take an idea and complete a project,” Haylee said. “After attending and participating at Shorthorn Junior National and being a part of the industry, I want to contribute to the efforts of the AJSA.” Amanda Smee currently attends Tarleton State University where she is studying to receive a double major in agricultural service and development as well as accounting. She hopes to be an accountant for an agriculture company upon graduation. Amanda is the daughter of Jacob and Dala Smee of Conroe, Texas. Amanda has been active within the Texas Junior Shorthorn Association, and she is currently serving as president. She has also been involved with the lassies and was the state queen. Amanda has been active on her college campus with Block and Bridle as well as serving in numerous leadership positions on campus. She is an residential leader, agriculture advocate and transition mentor. She was also active in FFA and served as a senior ambassador coordinator with the Texas FFA Foundation. “Growing up in the livestock industry and my family’s commercial cattle herd, I developed a deep passion for both the livestock and cattle industry,” Amanda said. “I feel it would be a great honor and way to be a role model for younger exhibitors to serve as a director.” =
shorthorn country = may/june 2022
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