GRAND ISLAND, Neb., — Sydney Heins, Wayzata, Minn., was selected as the recipient of the John Wayne Memorial $2,000 Scholarship at the 2024 Vitaferm^®Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE) Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) Scholarship, Award and Maroon Jacket Ceremony on July 11 in Grand Island, Neb. 

Heins is a junior at South Dakota State University, where she is majoring in animal science with a minor in biology. Heins plans to continue her education and earn both a master’s degree and a doctorate in bovine genetics. She hopes to pursue a career in the purebred cattle genetics field. 

Heins comes from an non-traditional background, growing up in the suburbs of Minneapolis. She didn’t let this stop her from becoming involved in the National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA). Her advice to others from similar backgrounds, “... is to surround yourself with people who love you. Creating a network of people who care about you is one of the most pivotal things that one can do.” 

The John Wayne Memorial Scholarship is awarded in remembrance of John Wayne – a legendary actor, agriculturalist and Hereford breeder to a deserving college student who has made outstanding contributions to the agricultural industry and Hereford breed. 

George Sprague, HYFA scholarship selection committee member, helped evaluate the applications this spring. He speaks very highly of the applicants, saying, “They were indeed an impressive group: thoughtful, accomplished, articulate and ambitious. It’s amazing that each year the applicants seem better than the previous year’s applicants.” 

HYFA awarded $40,000 to outstanding Hereford youth at the 2024 JNH, and will award more than $200,000 throughout the year to deserving junior members to aid in their academic endeavors. 

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The Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) was established in 1986 and is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated exclusively to scholarship and educational support of youth in the business of raising Hereford cattle. The mission of the Hereford Youth Foundation of America 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.