GRAND ISLAND, Neb. —Three Hereford young people were awarded the Donna Curry Memorial $2,500 scholarships during 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. 

In 2022, the Hereford community lost an extraordinary woman and cherished friend — Donna Curry of McAlester, Okla. She is fondly remembered for her unwavering dedication to youth and her lasting impact on countless lives. HYFA and the Curry family seek to honor Donna's legacy through this scholarship, ensuring she continues to inspire future generations. 

The following are the Donna Curry Memorial Scholarship winners: 

1. Lauren Jones, Darlington,Wis. 
2. Jalyn Davis, Maple Hill, Kan. 
3. Kaylee Lunsford, Fort Scott, Kan. 

Lauren Jones, Darlington, Wis. 

Jones will be a senior at Oklahoma State University where she is majoring in animal science with a pre-veterinary concentration. She plans to attend veterinary school. Jones has been a member of the National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) for 14 years and plans to give back to the industry after her time within the NJHA is complete. 

“I would love to have the opportunity to become an advisor for the association in my state, to help the younger generation develop as leaders within the Hereford breed,” Jones says. “ I feel like it would be a great way to give back to the Hereford youth and share my passion and knowledge of the breed for a good purpose.” 

Jalyn Davis, Maple Hill, Kan. 

Davis will be a sophomore at Butler Community College this fall. Davis plans to transfer to Kansas State University and finish her bachelor’s degree. She hopes to work for a breed association and promote cattle and youth through social media and graphic design. 

Davis reflects on her time in the NJHA. “I have learned so much from influential Hereford breeders who have helped me in several areas, such as advice for interviews, resume suggestions and life lessons,” she said. “I will strive to be a great mentor, leader and learner as so many have done so for me.” 

Kaylee Lunsford, Fort Scott, Kan. 

Lunsford will be a senior at Oklahoma State University this fall. She is majoring in both animal science and agricultural leadership. Lunsford plans to start a career in international agriculture where she can fulfill her dream of promoting and protecting agriculture on a global scale. 

“From my mother’s veterinary truck, I saw agriculture through the eyes of the future as I watched my mother educate the younger generations on the latest technology and practices to promote sustainable agriculture for our community,” Lunsford said. “I learned that agriculture was one of the few things that connected the entire world, and even the greatest nations could not live without it.” 

Cameron Curry, Donna Curry’s son, was a member of the scholarship committee. “This scholarship is a massive blessing for our family. It will help keep Donna's name alive and show people across the country what kind of person Donna was. When the auction was set up for Mom the Hereford Association informed us that it had to bring in $50,000 for a scholarship to be endowed for life. We had 

no idea it would bring in over $100,000,” Curry said. “So, for us it's a blessing that we have that many people in the Hereford breed willing to support the cause to keep her name alive. Our family will be forever grateful and thankful for the people within this breed for making this scholarship a reality for Mom's legacy.” 

HYFA awarded $40,000 to outstanding Hereford youth at the 2024 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-profit501(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.