Wisconsin celebrates Holstein juniors

WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. — The Wisconsin Junior Holstein Association celebrated the achievements of its members at its annual convention Dec. 27-29, 2024, in Wisconsin Dells, where junior Holstein enthusiasts from across Wisconsin gathered to take part in activities and contests.

The top awards bestowed by the association, the Wisconsin Outstanding Holstein Boy and Girl, were presented to Evan Hathaway of Barneveld and Ainsley Noble of Lancaster.

Hathaway, a sophomore at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, is pursuing a degree in animal science and agriculture communications marketing. He is the son of Alycia Hathaway and the late Josh Hathaway. Hathaway owns 15 registered Holsteins.

Hathaway said he came to embrace membership in WJHA through a non-traditional path.

“My family had a farm, but I didn’t grow up involved on the farm,” Hathaway said. “I never thought it was something I was interested in. When I was in middle school, I ended up helping with calf chores one night, and realized maybe it was something I could get into.”

Hathaway began exhibiting at the Iowa County Fair with his cousins and eventually followed them to junior Holstein activities.

“I saw things my cousin, Lily, participated in when she was younger and decided I wanted to do those things, too,” Hathaway said. “She took me to my first dairy bowl practice.”

Hathaway found himself hooked by competing in dairy bowl. With Iowa County junior advisor Angela Brown, Hathaway attended one of the area event days held in place of a state convention in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic.

“After attending that, I became interested in being on the Junior Activities Committee and doing all the things,” Hathaway said. “I really caught the bug.”

Hathaway was elected to represent the southwest district on the JAC.

“That was an amazing experience, being able to step up to the plate and take on a large leadership role,” Hathaway said. “It gave me the opportunity to connect not only with many other juniors in the state but with adult members, too — people from the industry that I looked up to.”

Embracing new experiences and the opportunities they created helped Hathaway lay a foundation for a future that was not on his radar a few years ago. He encourages other youth to do the same.

“Always say yes, always take chances and try something new,” Hathaway said. “By saying yes and taking a chance, it opened up doors that led me to where I am today.”

Noble, a junior at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls majoring in agricultural education, grew up on her family’s 430-cow dairy farm near Lancaster and has been involved in junior Holstein activities for most of her life. She is the daughter of Troy and Jaime Noble.

“Being a member of the (Wisconsin) Junior Holstein Association has taught me that you can dream big, but you have to work hard to make those dreams become a reality,” Noble said. “My parents have always been my biggest supporters. They pushed me to become involved and to work hard to reach my full potential.”

Noble spent her youth attending Cow Camp and junior conventions, showing her registered Holsteins, and competing in dairy bowl and jeopardy. She was selected as a national Young Distinguished Junior Member in 2019 and a national Distinguished Junior Member in 2023. Striving to grow as a leader, Noble also served on the JAC representing the southwest district.

Noble said building and creating her own story has been the foundation of her junior Holstein career.

“Growing alongside other members, seeing how our stories have transpired, and watching others succeed is so gratifying,” Noble said. “Now watching this huge group of younger members just starting their own stories — it’s so cool to see that and think back, remembering when I was in their shoes, just starting to create my story and all those small milestones that have added up to the big ones.”

Recalling her time at the 2023 National Holstein Convention competing for a spot as a national DJM, Noble recalls the connections she created with the other 11 semi-finalists.

“(I enjoyed) seeing their stories, where they came from — how different, yet how similar we all were,” Noble said. “We came from different things, had different goals in life, but the commitment to our stories remained the same.”

Noble urges youth to think about the story they want to create, and how they can be impactful to others.

“Dream big, work hard and stay humble — those are words I try to live by,” Noble said. “It’s your story; never be afraid to share that. Not every kid comes from a farm or an ag background, but in this organization, you can become as influential or impactful as you want to be, regardless of that background. Just remember why you began, who pushed you and keep pursuing that.”

In addition to Hathaway and Noble, Wisconsin Distinguished Junior Member awards were presented to Emma Bangart, Stratford; Lauren Breunig, Sauk City; Sara Dorshorst, Marshfield; Catherine Gunst and Christopher Gunst, Pine River; Elizabeth Gunst, Hartford; Jacob Harbaugh, Marion; Madeline Hensel, Pittsville; Brianna Meyer, Chilton; Tristen Ostrom, DePere; Ella Raatz, Colby; and Garrett Ulness, Valders.

Breunig, Hathaway, Meyer and Ulness were selected to represent Wisconsin in the national DJM competition.

Young Distinguished Junior Member awards were presented to Justin Brandel, Lake Mills; Kayla Buttles, Lancaster; Gavin Carncross, Lodi; Alison Gartman, Sheboygan; Madison Harbaugh, Marion; Vivian Lichty, Beaver Dam; Leah Mess, Rosendale; Abby Meyer, Chilton; Brooke Mueller, Brodhead; Laney Neuser, Cato; Mallory Nifong, Orfordville; Payton Sarbacker, Verona; Abigail Schultz, Valders; and Alivia Wiese, Wrightstown.

Brandel, Carncross, Mess and Meyer were selected to apply for national recognition.

The 12 & Under Member Recognition award was presented to Carter Coffeen, DePere; Elise Gilbertson and Naydeen Gilbertson, Hollandale; Callie Krohlow and Conway Krohlow, Poynette; George Linscheid, Cobb; Adella Loehr, Eden; Siera McCullough, Juda; Reagan Sarbacker, Verona; and Mylie Wendorf of Ixonia.

Jazmyn Heeg of Colby was named the 2025 Wisconsin Holstein Princess, and Tianda Hildebrandt of Hustisford was named the Wisconsin Holstein Princess Attendant.

The juniors elected four new representatives to the JAC. McKenna Niemeier of Dodgeville was elected to join Kelsey Hardy, also of Dodgeville, representing the southwest district. Sara Dorshorst of Marshfield will serve with Aspen Hagen of Loyal representing the northwest district. In the southeast district, Mallory Nifong of Orfordville will join Tessa Schmocker of Whitewater. Madison Wiese of Wrightstown will join Garrett Ulness of Valders in representing the northeast district.