KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Mason Collins, Lewisburg, Tenn., was awarded the Tennessee River Music Inc., Randy and Kelly Owen Scholarship during the 2024 American Hereford Association (AHA) Annual Meeting and Conference in Kansas City, Mo., on Oct. 25. During the award ceremony 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.

 Collins is a senior at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, completing his degree in food and agriculture business. After college, Collins hopes to return to his fourth-generation family insurance, real estate and auction company and be involved in cattle marketing as a sale manager, consultant or cattle producer.

Speaking about his passion for the industry and legacy he wishes to leave, Collins said, “The Hereford family has created a home that welcomes outsiders and strives to make each member stronger individually and as a cattleman.”

The Tennessee River Music Inc., and Randy and Kelly Owen Scholarship is a $2,500 scholarship in recognition of the Music on the Mountain. Music on the Mountain was a historic event held by the Owens that grew momentum for HYFA’s success and growth.

The selection committee continues to be impressed by the high caliber of applicants. “The vast majority of applicants were outstanding. Each year applications seem more and more competitive, which leads me to believe that the future of the Hereford breed, and agriculture in general, is in good hands,” said Nancy Keilty, 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.

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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.