Oklahoma Youth Expo

Hereford Women give Hereford Youth Scholarships

KANSAS CITY, Mo. ­­­— Krissi McCurdy, Chatsworth, Ga., and Keysto Stotz, Skiatook, Okla., were each awarded a $1,000 Poll-ette Founders Scholarship July 16 at the 12th annual VitaFerm Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE) in Kansas City, Mo. 

The scholarships are funded through the Hereford Youth Foundation of America and managed by the National Hereford Women (NHW). They recognize two juniors who have made great contributions to the National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA). The scholarships also honor the women who laid the foundation for the National Organization of Poll-ettes, which combined with the American Hereford Women in 2009 to form the NHW.

Krissi McCurdy, 18, recently graduated from high school and will be attending Butler County Community College, El Dorado, Kan., this fall. She has been a member of NJHA and the Georgia Junior Hereford Association for 15 years. She has been showing cattle for 11 years and is also an accomplished livestock judger. She is attending Butler on a livestock judging scholarship but in the long-term she plans to attend a four-year university back in Georgia to study elementary education. Krissi was also elected to serve on the NJHA board during the 2011 JNHE.

Keysto Stotz, 16, just graduated from Skiatook High School and plans to attend Tulsa University to study music and law. He has been a member of NJHA and the Junior Hereford Association of Oklahoma (JHAO) for 12 years. Keysto served the JHAO in many leadership roles, including president and he is also active in many community and church activities and the Tulsa Youth Symphony. Keysto was also elected to serve on the NJHA board during the 2011 JNHE.

The 2011 VitaFerm Junior National Hereford Expo was sponsored in part by Biozyme Inc., St. Joseph, Mo. The NJHA is one of the most active junior programs in the country with approximately 3,000 members. The NJHA’s mission is to create and promote enthusiasm for the breed while providing opportunities through leadership, education and teamwork. For more information about the NJHA, visit www.jrhereford.