KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Ten National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) members received a $10,000 Vanier Family Scholarship, totalling $100,000 of financial support,  during the 2024 American Hereford Association (AHA) Annual Meeting and Conference in Kansas City, Mo., on Oct. 25. During the award ceremony, the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) and its donors awarded $165,500 in scholarships to 27 National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) members to help support their higher-education goals.

“HYFA is proud to continue carrying on Jack and Donna’s legacy by awarding 10 scholarships in the Vanier family’s name each fall,” said Cowan, AHA director of youth activities and foundation. “Thanks to the Vanier family’s philanthropy over the years, nearly $1 million has been awarded to more than 80 NJHA members in the Vanier name.”

The Vanier family believes the work ethic NJHA members learn growing up in the Hereford breed sets them apart in today’s workforce. “To be able to support young people in their aspirations and their education has always been really important,” said Mary Vanier, daughter of Jack and Donna Vanier. The foundation is proud to carry on Jack and Donna’s legacy through this prestigious scholarship program.

The 2024 Vanier Scholarship recipients are: 

Sam Birdsall, Torrington, Wyo.

Matthew Bruns, North Platte, Neb.

Elizabeth Crumm, Anadarko, Okla.

Lauren Gatz, Fairview, Kan.

Mason Glascock, Fraziers Bottom, W.V.

Logan McFatridge, Otterbein, Ind.

Haley Mouser, Tenstrike, Minn.

Kaylee Lunsford, Fort Scott, Kan.

Paige Lemenager, Hudson, Ill.

Madison Ridder, Marthasville, Mo.

Sam Birdsall, Torrington, Wyo., is a junior at Kansas State University (K-State) studying agribusiness. Following his undergraduate degree, he plans to pursue a master’s degree in economics, specializing t in commodity trading and agricultural lending. As a second-year member of the NJHA board of directors, Birdsall noted, “I want to be remembered for my stand-up character and not just the belongings I pass on to the next generation”

Matthew Bruns, North Platte, Neb., is a junior at K-State  where he is majoring in animal science. He aspires to become a livestock auctioneer, while exploring career opportunities within the purebred cattle industry to gain marketing experience alongside established livestock marketing firms. “It is my goal that my legacy can be my character for others,” Bruns said. “Serving on the NJHA board of directors will provide me a great opportunity to share with others how important it is to have exceptional character and how they can influence others.”

Elizabeth Crumm, Anadarko, Okla., is a senior at K-State pursuing  a degree in agricultural communications and journalism. Upon graduation in the spring of 2025, she plans to enter a master’s degree program in business with an emphasis in marketing and communications. Looking to the future, Crumm said, “I am eager to blend my love for livestock with my communication skills to elevate the industry and foster community engagement.”  

Lauren Gatz, from Fairview, Kan., is a senior at K-State studying agricultural communications and journalism. Having previously served as the National Hereford Queen and currently serving her second year on the NJHA board of directors, she is extremely involved in the Hereford breed. “My career goals are rooted in my passion for the beef industry and my commitment to giving back to the agricultural industry,” Gatz said. “As an agricultural communications and journalism major with minors in leadership studies and marketing, I hope to secure a position working within a livestock breed association or agribusiness, focusing on marketing or communications.”

Mason Glascock, Fraziers Bottom, W.Va., is a junior at the University of Kentucky majoring in agricultural ecosystem sciences. His career goals focus on assisting farmers and ranchers with things such as crop analysis, soil management, soil mapping and livestock monitoring. He also hopes to receive his remote pilot certification and pesticide license in the next 5-10 years.

Logan McFatridge, of Otterbein, Ind., is a senior agribusiness major at Purdue University. He became passionate about cattle buying during his cattle procurement internship at American Foods Group. He hopes to pursue this avenue as a career upon graduation. 

Haley Mouser, Tenstrike, Minn., is a junior at South Dakota State University majoring in animal science with a science specialization.. Mouser plans to pursue a doctorate degree in ruminant nutrition and land a career telling the story of science behind the beef industry. “I aspire to understand concepts and industries on an in-depth, scientific level,” Mouser said. “I have a love for cattle and an investment in the beef industry, and some of my greatest joy is found when I share these passions with others.”

Kaylee Lunsford, Fort Scott, Kan., is an animal science major in her third year at Oklahoma State University. Following her attendance of the NJHA’s Building on Leadership Development (BOLD) conference  , Lunsford was inspired by the industry’s need for advocacy and leadership. “After completing my bachelor’s degree, I will pursue a master’s degree, expand my cattle operation and actively engage in efforts to advocate for the agricultural industry, ensuring its sustainability and growth for future generations,” she said.

Paige Lemenager, Hudson, Ill., is a junior at Texas Tech University studying animal science. Her long-term career goals are to pursue a doctorate degree, take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and pass the bar in her home state of Illinois. She hopes to work with farmers and ranchers during financial challenges or tax implications as an agricultural attorney. She credits the Hereford breed for building the foundation for her future goals and wants to give back to the organization in the future. “Upon completing my junior career, I hope to become a junior advisor,” Lemenager said. “My commitment to the breed, my affection for the people involved and my belief in the NJHA’s mission drive this aspiration.”

Madison Ridder, Marthasville, Mo., is a veterinary student at the University of Missouri - College of Veterinary Medicine. “I cannot think of another profession that would provide this deep, profound sense of purpose, and I am elated to be headed on this career path,”  Ridder said. Ridder has participated in many Hereford-centric opportunities, including being selected to travel to England on a trade mission with the Missouri Department of Agriculture, specifically working with Hereford producers. 

The selection committee continues to be impressed by the high caliber of applicants. “It’s a true pleasure to review the HYFA scholarship applications. So many of the applicants have stellar records and have interesting and creative career ambitions that reviewers can’t help but be certain the future of the industry is in good hands,” said George Sprague, HYFA scholarship committee member. 

The scholarship fund serves as the bedrock of HYFA, and countless youth benefit from its mission. Since its inception, HYFA has awarded scholarships fueling educational opportunities. For years, these scholarships have been lighting the way for youth in the Hereford breed. Recently, the foundation celebrated awarding more than $2 million in scholarships to assist Hereford youth further their education, since its founding in 2000.

### 

The Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) was established in 2000, when the American Hereford Youth Foundation and the American Polled Hereford Youth Foundation, Inc., merged. HYFA is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to the scholarship and educational support of young people in the Hereford industry. Its mission is to encourage, recognize and reward the development of life skills and values in the next generation of leaders by providing education, scholarship and leadership opportunities for Hereford youth.