LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Outstanding Hereford youth were awarded numerous scholarships during the 2022 VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE) Banners in the Bluegrass Awards Ceremony in Louisville, Ky., on July 21. The Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) and the National Hereford Women awarded $33,000 including two $1,000 NOP Founders scholarships, and will award more than $200,000 in 2022 to deserving junior members to aid in their academic endeavors. The NOP Founders Scholarship is special in that it honors the women who laid the foundation for the National Organization of Poll-ette’s, which was organized in 1965.

NOP Founders Scholarship Recipients
Lauren Gatz, Fairview, Kan., $1,000
Haley Mouser, Tenstrike, Minn., $1,000

Lauren Gatz
Lauren begins her second year at Kansas State University (K-State) in the fall majoring in agricultural communications and journalism with a minor in leadership studies. She has a wide-range of leadership experiences from her time in 4-H, FFA and the National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA). She is currently serving as the National Hereford Queen and is part of the Kansas Hereford Board of Directors. After completing her studies at K-State, Gatz hopes to begin a career that allows her to utilize her communication skills and passion for the industry to advocate for agriculture. Gatz says her involvement in the Hereford Breed and the NJHA activities has greatly influenced her as an individual and helped her develop her passion for agriculture.

Haley Mouser
Haley begins her collegiate career at Butler Community College in the fall where she will pursue an associate’s degree in agribusiness while competing on the livestock judging team. She has been an active member of the NJHA, by not only exhibiting and participating in contests at the JNHE, but also being a participant in the Fed Steer Shootout program and a recent BOLD conference attendee. After obtaining her associate’s degree, Mouser plans to continue her academic career by pursuing a bachelor’s degree in animal science with a minor in human nutrition. Mouser strongly believes that because of her experiences in the NJHA, she is prepared to succeed in whatever her future has in store.

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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.