MADISON, Wis. — Lauren McMillan, Tiskilwa, Ill., received the Charles E. Boyd Memorial $1,500 scholarship at the 2023 VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE) Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) Scholarship, Award and Maroon Jacket Ceremony on July 13 in Madison, Wis.

McMillan is a fourth-generation Hereford breeder with extensive involvement in the National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA), as well as leadership activities and community service. She recently retired from the NJHA board of directors. She says her involvement within the NJHA has been the most influential component in her life and inspires her to strive towards her future endeavors.

McMillan is set to begin pursuing her master's degree this fall at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the College of Media, studying strategic brand communication. She plans to work at Caterpillar Distribution during this time, with later hopes to find a career within the agriculture industry, where she can remain an energetic advocate for the Hereford breed and beef cattle.

“By staying involved in our industry I hope to continue the leadership focus and professional development of the youth, so that one day new leaders can improve our breed another step further,” McMillan says.

The Charles E. Boyd Memorial Scholarship honors the legacy of Charles E. Boyd Sr., a third-generation Hereford breeder from Mays Lick, Ky., who mentored youth in the agriculture industry. Throughout his lifetime, he was recognized on local, state and national levels for his accomplishments. He was a prominent beef cattle judge at all major livestock shows and exhibited several international and national champion Hereford cattle. The Charles E. Boyd Scholarship provides assistance to young people in the Hereford breed who plan to attend college and pursue a degree in agriculture.

“It is an honor to represent the Charles E. Boyd Scholarship,” said Suzanne Matheny, daughter of Charles Boyd. “The quality of candidates gets stronger each year. The future of the Hereford breed is in good hands.”

HYFA awarded $29,000 to outstanding Hereford youth at the 2023 JNHE, 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.