KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Teagan Wunschel, Plymouth, Calif., received the prestigious John Ascuaga Memorial Scholarship at the 2024 Western States National Hereford Show in Reno, Nev., Dec. 7. The $2,500 John Ascuaga Scholarship is awarded to a high achieving National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) member from the western states and is given on behalf of the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) and the Western States Hereford Association.

Wunschel is a freshman at Chico State University, majoring in animal science with a focus in food animal production. Her involvement in different livestock organizations helped shape her career path focused on beef genetics and breeding as well as industry advocacy. She has future goals of pursuing a master’s degree in either agricultural communication or animal science.

“I hope to be a voice for the future of beef production on the west coast and the benefits of Hereford genetics on commercial cattle,” said Wunschel. “A background based in science and an ability to communicate effectively and build relationships with producers and consumers will be key in obtaining a career working with companies and organizations who share my passion.”

The John Ascuaga Scholarship fund was initiated in 2015 during the 50th celebration of the Western Nugget as breeders donated funds in recognition of the longtime Nugget Casino owner, rancher and Hereford advocate. Ascuaga was inducted into the Hereford Hall of Merit in 2014 and is the reason the Western Nugget National Hereford Show and Sale takes place each year. The event started with a Hereford bull sale in a tent in the Nugget parking lot in 1967, and evolved into the iconic sale on the stage inside John Ascuaga’s Nugget Hotel and Casino for more than 50 years.

“On behalf of the committee, I can confidently say that the applicants for the Western States Hereford Scholarships were indeed all deserving, each showcasing remarkable talent and dedication,” said Marty Wilcox, Western States Hereford Scholarship committee. “Selecting just three recipients was incredibly challenging, especially considering the legacy of the two great men, John Ascuaga and Willard Wolf, who were instrumental in making the Western States Hereford 'Nugget' Show what it is today.”

The Western States Hereford Association awarded a total of $6,500 this year in partnership with HYFA. 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, and 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 since 2000 to assist Hereford youth further their education.

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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.