KANSAS CITY, Mo. —  Raney Anderson, Canyon City, Ore., was awarded the Whitehead Ranches Scholarship during the 2024 American Hereford Association (AHA) Annual Meeting and Conference in Kansas City, Mo., on Oct. 25. During the award ceremony, the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) and its donors awarded $165,500 in scholarships to 27 National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) members to help support their higher-education goals.

Anderson is a sophomore at the College of Southern Idaho majoring in agricultural education with plans of continuing her education with a master’s degree. Her career goals include teaching agriculture and making an impact on the next generation.

“I want to be a mentor and someone who youth look up to and can come to when they have a question or need help. One of my biggest goals in my career and life is to give back to youth and teach the next generations.” Anderson said.

The 2024 Whitehead Ranches Scholarship is a $2,500 award sponsored by HYFA. The scholarship honors Loyd Whitehead of Texas. Whitehead was an instrumental part of HYFA in its early years, serving on the board of directors and as financial chairman.

The selection committee continues to be impressed by the high caliber of applicants. “It’s a true pleasure to review the HYFA scholarship applications. So many of the applicants have stellar records and have interesting and creative career ambitions that reviewers can’t help but be certain the future of the industry is in good hands,” said George Sprague, HYFA scholarship committee member. 

The scholarship fund serves as the bedrock of HYFA, and countless youth benefit from its mission. Since its inception, HYFA has awarded scholarships fueling educational opportunities. For years, these scholarships have been lighting the way for youth in the Hereford breed. Recently, the foundation celebrated awarding more than $2 million in scholarships to assist Hereford youth further their education, since its founding in 2000.

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The Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) was established in 2000, when the American Hereford Youth Foundation and the American Polled Hereford Youth Foundation, Inc., merged. HYFA is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to the scholarship and educational support of young people in the Hereford industry. Its mission 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.