For Immediate Release
February 29, 2008
For More Information, Contact:
Jennifer Shike, National Swine Registry
(765) 463-3594 or jennifer@nationalswine.com
NJSA Names Outstanding Member Scholarship Winners
The National Junior Swine Association (NJSA) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2007 NJSA Outstanding Member Scholarships. The scholarships were scored on a combination of youth leadership activities, NJSA leadership and associated affiliate leadership, interest in swine industry and scholastic record. The novice winner receives $200, the junior winner receives $300, the intermediate winner receives $500 and two seniors receive $1,000.
Senior Winners
The 2007 senior scholarship winners are Emily Arkfeld and Hayley Wertenberger. Emily, 18, is the daughter of Tim and Luann of Dunbar, Neb. She is a freshman at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she is a member of Block and Bridle, National Agri-marketing Association (NAMA) and Burr Residential Hall Government. Her goal is to earn a Ph.D. in meat science. She has participated in the National Junior Summer Spectacular (NJSS), National Youth Leadership Conference (NYLC), National Barrow Show ® Jr. Barrow Classic (NBS), American Royal and World Pork Expo Junior National (WPX). She currently serves on the NJSA services team and as a NJSA mentor.
Hayley Wertenberger, 22, is the daughter of Mike and Jill of Claypool, Ind. She is employed by Chore-Time Hog Production Systems, one of the world’s leading providers of hog equipment. She hopes to advance within the company as her education progresses. She served as secretary of NJSA and co-chairman of the services team. She achieved great success in the show ring and participated in NYLC, Western Regional, WPX, NJSS, Eastern Regional and Southwest Regional.
Intermediate Winner
The 2007 intermediate scholarship winner is Rachael Arkfeld of Dunbar, Neb. Rachael, 16, is the daughter of Tim and Luann. Rachael is a junior at Lourdes Central Catholic School. She has been an active NJSA member and hopes to someday become an agriculture education instructor. Arkfeld serves as a mentor in the NJSA MVP program and has participated in the WPX, NJSS, NBS, and the American Royal. She, too, participated in the NYLC, NJSA Regional Leadership Conference and helped raise money for NJSA by selling tickets for the raffle.
Junior Winner
The 2007 junior scholarship winner is Kyle Kerlee of Denair, Calif. Kerlee, 12, is the son of Chip and Maddi. He is in sixth grade at Gratton Elementary. He has participated in many NJSA shows including the NJSS, WPX and Western Regional. At school, he is a member of band and chorus and is a student representative for the sixth grade. He is also the quarterback of the JV Hughson Youth Football team and was just elected to play in an All-Star competition. He also plays basketball and baseball.
Novice Winner
The 2007 novice scholarship winner is Payton Hines of Quincy, Mich. Hines, 7, is the daughter of Brian and Donna. She is in second grade at Jennings Elementary. Payton has been active in the NJSA since she was 3 years old when she competed in her first show at the Eastern Regional in Harrisburg, Pa. Since then, she has also participated in the WPX, NJSS and North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE). She is a protégé in the MVP program and enjoys the opportunity to spend time with her mentor at shows and sales.
The NJSA is the fastest growing youth organization in animal agriculture and is a division of the National Swine Registry located in West Lafayette, Ind. For more information, contact jennifer@nationalswine.com or (765) 463-3594.
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