KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Tate Johnson, Centerville, S.D., and Jordan Gatz, Fairview, Kan., were awarded the 2023 Ostgaard-Breiner Memorial Scholarships during the 2023 American Hereford Association (AHA) Annual Meeting and Conference in Kansas City, Mo., on Oct. 20. In a special awards ceremony, the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) and its donors proudly awarded $163,000 in scholarships to 27 National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) members to help support their higher-education goals.

Johnson is a sophomore at Mitchell Technical College (Mitchell Tech) where he is studying progressive welding technology and small business management. He has started his own mobile welding business, specializing in pipe fence and feedyard construction, but has bigger goals after finishing his classes at Mitchell Tech.

“My current career goal is to work as a non-destructive welding technician, and then when I reach experience eligibility, continue my studies to become a certified welding inspector,” Johnson said.

Gatz is receiving a master’s of accounting from Kansas State University after graduating with  his undergraduate degree in three years. He is also studying for the CPA exam after finishing the 150 hours required. A career in public accounting and auditing is his goal and he hopes to work for large scale firms.

“Choosing a career in auditing and public accounting aligns with my aspiration to promote ethical conduct within organizations,” said Gatz. “It allows me to hold companies accountable, safeguard stakeholders from fraud and ensure that businesses make ethically sound decisions.”

In 2019, the National Hereford Women (NHW) board of directors lost two of their beloved board members, Mrs. Sandra Adams Ostgaard of Dayton, Ohio, and Mrs. Callea Mae Breiner of Alma, Kan. Sandra was incredibly active within the Hereford breed, serving on the NHW board, as Ohio Hereford Women president and as an Ohio Hereford Junior Association advisor. She passed her love of the Hereford breed to her children and grandchildren. As a retired high school home economics and elementary teacher, Sandra held education of all forms in high regard. 

Callea was not only active on the NHW board, but was also active in the Kansas Hereford Association and served as a local community 4-H club leader. Her love for the Hereford breed continues to be carried on by her husband and sons. As an advanced practice registered nurse, Callea had a love to learn as reflected through her successful pursuit of receiving a doctorate degree.

The scholarship fund is the bedrock of HYFA and countless youth are benefactors of its mission. This last fiscal year, the foundation celebrated net assets reaching $6.3 million and in total $221,500 was given back to Hereford youth to assist with their college educations.

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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.