At the awards banquet on July 13, four retiring board members announced the election results and passed on their maroon jackets and responsibilities to the new leadership. After each retiring address, the board member took off his or her jacket and presented it to a new director. The retiring board members were President Catie Sims, Elgin, Okla., and Treasurer Mark Sullivan, Chehalis, Wash., as well as directors Cassie Bacon, Prairie Grove, Ark., and Chance Young, Springville, Tenn.

Also announced at the awards banquet was the 2007-08 officer team, chosen by the NJHA board members. This year's officers are Jason Ewing, Fordland, Mo., president; Roger Morgan, Burwell, Neb., vice president; Jessica Slone, W. Manchester, Ohio, secretary; Nicole Starr, Manawa, Wis., treasurer; and Roxane Gebhart, Claremore, Okla., reporter.

Other directors include Kara Eschbach, Skiatook, Okla.; Katlyn Howes, Taneytown, Md.; and Sarah Stream, Chariton, Iowa.

The NJHA board of directors is made up of 12 junior members from across the country; each director serves on various committees and plays an integral part in all activities associated with the NJHA. Major responsibilities include helping with the JNHE and organizing the Program for Reaching Individuals Determined to Excel (PRIDE) Convention.

New directors

Katlin Mulvaney is the 20-year-old daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Donald Mulvaney of Opelika, Ala. She is a junior at Auburn University majoring in agricultural communications and public relations with a minor in agricultural leadership studies. Upon graduation, Katlin's passion for people and the cattle industry has given her a goal to pursue a career with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association.

Mulvaney has been an active member of the Alabama Junior Hereford Association for 12 years, holding the position of president from 2004-2006 and being elected state queen in 2006. She has attended the Program for Reaching Individuals Determined to Excel (PRIDE) Convention and the Southeastern Regional Junior Hereford Show numerous times.

Kandi Knippa is the 18-year-old daughter of Sammy and Penny Knippa of Seguin, Texas. She is a freshman at Texas A&M University majoring in animal science. She hopes to attend veterinary school to receive training necessary to become a large animal veterinarian. Her goal is to specialize in reproduction by means of artificial insemination, in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.

She has been involved with her state association for nine years where she has served as director, secretary/treasurer, president and many co-chair positions. Not only active in Hereford activities, Knippa was highly involved in FFA, student council and athletics while in high school.

Hannah Wine is the 19-year-old daughter of John and Linda Wine of Marshall, Va. She will begin her post-secondary education this fall at Kansas State University (K-State). While at K-State, Wine will major in agricultural communications and journalism with an animal science influence. After college, she hopes to return to Virginia, continuing to build her herd, while working for an agricultural publication doing online journalism, and hopes to teach at an elementary school.

Wine has been an active member of the Virginia Junior Hereford Association serving as state queen, secretary/treasurer, vice president and president. She won the Outstanding State Member of the Year award in 2004 and 2006. As well as her participation in Hereford activities, she was a member of 4-H and was active in athletics in high school playing basketball, lacrosse and field hockey.

Kimber Evans is the 20-year-old daughter of Terry and Debra Evans of Fall River, Kan. She is a junior at K-State dual majoring in agricultural economics and animal sciences and industry. Upon graduation, she plans to continue her education by pursuing a master's degree in either marketing or finance with an emphasis on agriculture. She then hopes to enter the work force as either an accountant of marketing director of an agriculturally based corporation.

Evans had the honor of serving as the Kansas Junior Hereford Association secretary, and was a member of the fourth-place senior marketing team at the 2006 JNHE in Louisville, Ky. Aside from Hereford activities, Evans has been actively involved in 4-H, FFA, athletics and collegiate livestock judging teams.

2007-08 officers

Jason Ewing is the 22-year-old son of Tim and Jeanie Ewing of Fordland, Mo. Ewing is a fourth-generation Hereford breeder and has been involved with the Hereford business all of his life. He has served as president, vice president and director of the Missouri Junior Hereford Association; president of his FFA chapter; and treasurer of his local 4-H club. Jason is a senior at the University of Missouri-Columbia and is majoring in animal science. He is involved in Block & Bridle and the Independent Aggies Club. After college, Jason intends to return to the family operation to raise Hereford cattle and start an embryo transfer and ultrasound business.

Roger Morgan is the 20-year-old son of Ron and Kay Morgan, Burwell, Neb. He is a junior at Northwest Missouri State University majoring in agriculture. Morgan has been an active member of the Nebraska Junior Hereford Association for 18 years. During his tenure with the association, he has taken on various leadership roles such as director, vice president, winner of the 2002 and 2003 state speech contests and awarded the state sportsmanship award in 2004. On the national level, Morgan has received such honors as the Prospect Achievement Award, the Junior Golden Bull Award and the Future Cattlemen's Scholarship. He attended the World Hereford Conference in Armidale, Australia, where he was named 3rd place international youth judge.

Jessica Slone is the 20-year-old daughter of Joseph Slone of W. Manchester, Ohio. She is a junior at the University of Kentucky (UK) majoring in agricultural education. Upon graduation Slone plans to attend Oklahoma State University to receive her master's degree in agricultural education with hopes to then become a high school agricultural education instructor. She is currently serving as president of the Ohio Buckeye Junior Hereford Association. At UK, she is an officer in CERES Sorority, vice president of the Agricultural Education Society, representative of the Agricultural Student Council and a member of the Collegiate FFA. In high school, Slone was active in 4-H and FFA, including serving as a state FFA officer. She is currently the National Association of Agricultural Educators communications intern dealing with advocacy and leadership.

Nicole Starr is the 19-year-old daughter of Joe and Amy Starr of Manawa, Wis. She is a sophomore at Michigan State University (MSU) majoring in animal science and marketing. Starr is an active member of the Block & Bridle Club and is employed at the MSU Purebred Beef Center. She is a past president of the Wisconsin Junior Hereford Association and continues to remain active within the organization. At the 2006 National FFA Convention, she was a finalist for the Agriculture Education Proficiency Award and competed in the Job Interview Contest.