NJSA would like to congratulate Melissa Keller, 11, of Corfu, New York as a youth spotlight.  Melissa is the daughter of Ed and Julie Keller, and has one sister, Alicia Keller who attends Purdue University.  Melissa is currently in 7th grade at Pembroke Jr./Sr. high school.  Melissa is involved in sports and 4-H in school, while out of school she is in numerous community clubs and spends time showing animals.

Melissa has been in 4-H since she was eight years old, and has been showing pigs even longer.  Her first show was her local county fair and she has since continued on to bigger shows.  She joined NSJA about three years ago at the urging of her sister Alicia who was also actively involved in the program.  Melissa now shows at the Southeast Regional, Eastern Regional, and National Junior Summer Spectacular, along with her local shows.  When asked what she liked best about showing pigs Melissa says, “meeting people, not just those in a certain area or breed.”

Melissa’s favorite stock show proves to be the New York State Fair because of all of the contests that it offers, along with the scholarship programs, and having the opportunity to learn about all of the different species of animals.  In NJSA, her favorite show is NJSS because of all of the people.  She loves having the whole week in Louisville to meet lots of new people and spend time with old friends.  Of the contests, Melissa enjoys the Skillathon the best.  She enjoys having the opportunity before entering the room to hang out with fellow competitors and meet the Junior Board candidates.

Since being in NJSA Melissa’s most memorable moment has been getting involved with the MVP program and getting to meet her Mentor for the first time.  Melissa would like to tell the younger members of NJSA, “don’t be shy, get up and talk to people.”  Melissa also has a soft spot for the Durocs when asked about the different NSR breeds.  She blames this on having grown up showing them and raising them since she was little.

In the future Melissa hopes to own her own pig farm, and have a job that deals with animals in some way.  As a final word, Melissa would like to thank her sister Alicia for everything that she has done for her and done since being on the Junior Board.
The NJSA would like to congratulate Melissa on being such an outstanding role model and NSJA member, and wish her the best of luck at all of her future endeavors and shows!

Submitted by Cassie Holloway, 2011 NJSA Intern