It’s no secret that the Nationa Junior Hereford Association knows how to put on a great show and for the third year in a row, the Junior National Hereford Expo rose to the top as the Best of the Barns Most Enjoyable Junior National. We wanted to know some of these secrets behind their successful agenda, so we sat down with Junior Board Chairman, Taylor Belle Matheny to get the inside scoop.
National Junior Hereford Association’s Junior Board Chairman, Taylor Belle Matheny
What kind of precedent do you try to set for JNHE?
We set a precedent that it is a family-friendly atmosphere with a good environment that fosters educational, leadership and scholarship opportunities for our juniors. We want newcomers who come to our junior national to get involved and feel like they are part of the Hereford family when they leave.
What all do you as a Junior Board do to make sure that JNHE is the most enjoyable show of the summer?
Our junior board tries to make connections with as many of the juniors as possible. I think this helps make it enjoyable and creates a great atmosphere for the event.
American Hereford Association’s Director of Youth Activities and Foundation, Amy Cowan and National Shows Coordinator and Youth Activities Assistant, Bailey Clanton
As a junior board, what are your duties in putting on a Junior National?
Our main duties leading up to JNHE, include planning the event, helping prepare for contests, and organizing a few of the other events that happen at JNHE like Pen-to-Pen. During the week, we assist with the arrival process, check-in, contests, and work the ring.
What is your goal as a group when you’re planning and preparing for the event?
I would say our main goals are to make it a fun event where juniors can participate in a variety of contests, have the opportunity to meet other juniors and most of all have fun during the week while showing. We want everyone to drive back home at the end of the week with a smile on their face eager to come back next year.
The National Junior Hereford Association’s Junior Board of Directors
What is one thing you hope that your exhibitors get out of the Junior National?
Junior nationals will look slightly different last year, but I hope juniors are able to still have fun and meet new people. We are still holding a pen-to-pen program virtually and contests virtually so juniors will have the opportunity to get involved.
Why do you feel that JNHE is consistently one of the best junior nationals every year?
The people and atmosphere make it the best junior national year after year. No matter where you are from, if it is your first or last year, or if you don’t know a single person in the barn when you are part of team Hereford you join a family. This creates such a fun environment that gets everyone involved. From the perspective of the junior board, I think it continues to be the best junior national because the opportunities are endless for juniors and they have the ability to find friends from all over the nation.
What are you most excited about for the 2020 JNHE?
In the midst of a not so normal 2020, I am excited to be back with the juniors of the NJHA. This year might look different in the format of a few things, but in no way will it be any less of a Junior National than what we are used to. I think this will be a memory that the juniors have forever, and I hope they make the most of this year. We are determined to make this a great event and the staff at the AHA have been working hard to keep the event safe and continuing the tradition of hosting the best junior national across all breeds.
