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National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) members from 33 states and Canada participated in the LEAD (Leaders Engaged in Angus Development) Conference, Aug. 1-4 in Billings, Mont. The 215 youth and advisors enhanced their interpersonal talents while learning more leadership skills and touring the "Big Sky" country of Montana. "Take it to the Top" was this year's theme for LEAD, which is funded through the Angus Foundation and designed for NJAA members 14- to 21-years old.

Motivational speaker Alvin Law kicked off the conference with a strong message, challenging the youth to look at all sides of situations they are in; noting that life always has two sides.

"Reality sometimes really sucks, and it doesn't always have an answer," said, Law who was born without arms as a result of the drug Thalidomide.

"Attitude isn't something we are born with; it is something we develop. Most people look at the wrong side of life and need to stop judging themselves by looking in the mirror," Law continued as he encouraged the audience to look inside themselves for their own special gift. "It's not what you don't have; it's what you do have. In each and every one of us is an amazing ability."

Law demonstrated his own amazing abilities by playing a self-composed song on the piano with his feet. He also played a snare drum, holding the drum sticks between his toes and talked about overcoming his own daily challenges in doing everyday tasks armless.

The first evening concluded with a welcome from Montana Junior Angus Association President Emily Kading and an overview of Montana history and Angus industry success by Andy Rest, American Angus Association® regional manager.

One and a half days of touring the diverse state of Montana followed the opening session. The four buses of young Angus leaders made stops at the NILE (Northern International Livestock Exposition), Billings Livestock Commission, and Genex Hawkeye West bull stud, all either in or near Billings. The group also learned about feed efficiency research using the GrowSafe technology at Midland Bull Test at Columbus. An afternoon of rafting the Stillwater and Yellowstone rivers was a highlight for many of the attendees, most of which had never been to Montana.

Other tour stops included ORIgen Genetics, Huntley; the Little Big Horn Battlefield, and Vermilion Ranch, where the group heard from long-time livestock marketer Pat Goggins. "LEAD is a wonderful event for young people," Goggins said with conviction as four of his own grandchildren participated in this year's event. "This is the cream of the crop, and the Angus future is in good hands."

The NJAA board of directors conducted four workshops that covered etiquette, interviewing skills, industry knowledge and the current agriculture market. "Angus Jeopardy" was a parody of the popular game show, where teams provided the questions to topics such as "ROV Shows," "Registrations" and "AAA Board." "Money Talks" was a workshop that discussed the current economic factors affecting agriculture and provided small groups real life scenarios to consider. The attendees were given the chance to record their future career strengths, weaknesses and goals before completing a mock interview in the workshop, "Will you Crack Under Pressure," where they refined their personal interview skills. Dining, airplane and relationship etiquette were the focus of "Mind your P's & Q's."

During the final session of LEAD, Kim Anderson challenged the group to evaluate their personal leadership style. She compared people to thermostats and thermometers-either reflecting the climate around them or setting the climate for others.

"Our challenge as leaders is to be more like a thermostat and set the climate," challenged Anderson, a Leadership Program Specialist with the University of Georgia Fanning Institute. She added that thermometers are reactive and it is always better to be proactive like the thermostat.

In addition to the workshops, speakers and tours, LEAD is an opportunity for youth and advisors to exchange ideas to take back to their states, while building life-long friendships with others with a similar interest. LEAD is planned annually for NJAA members by the NJAA Board.

National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) members from across the country conducted business at the NJAA Annual Meeting, held in conjunction with the 2008 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), July 13-19 in Des Moines, Iowa.

Voting delegates elected six directors to serve a two-year term on the NJAA board of directors. The newly elected directors and the officers beginning their second year on the Board were announced during the awards ceremony on July 18.

Mallory Trosper, Hamilton, Mo., will serve as chairman. She is the daughter of Steve and Sandy Trosper and attends the University of Missouri, Columbia. Brandon Creamer, Montrose, Colo., was elected vice chairman. The Colorado State University student is the son of Jeff and Kathi Creamer.

Walt Stinson, Talbott, Tenn., will serve as communications director. The son of Robert and Jan Stinson, he attends Tennessee Tech University. Trey Davis, Doerun, Ga., is the Foundation director. He is the son of Bart and Paula Davis and attends Gainesville State College in Athens, Ga.

Bridget Driscoll, Williamsburg, Iowa, is the new leadership director. She is the daughter of Erle and Renee Driscoll, and attends Iowa State University. Ann Blumer, Chesnee, S.C., will serve as membership director. She is the daughter of Adam and Nancy Blumer and attends Millsaps College in Jackson, Miss.

This year, candidates from 14 states ran for the six open positions on the Board. Delegates cast their ballots for six candidates after each submitted an application, gave a presentation, answered impromptu questions and completed round-table interviews. A brief biography of the newly elected directors follows.

Ashlyn Carter has been active in the Indiana Junior Angus Association and has served on the Atlantic National Junior Council. Ashlyn is the daughter of Sam Carter, Julesburg, Colo., and Tamela Grabb, Noblesville, Ind. She will be a sophomore at Purdue University and is majoring in chemistry.

Christopher Cassady, Ancona, Ill., is the son of Debbie and Kevin Cassady. He will be a junior at Texas A&M University, where he will participate on the livestock judging team, while studying animal science with an emphasis in beef production. He is past-president of the Illinois Junior Angus Association.

Robert Myers, Yamhill, Ore., attends Oregon State University, where he studies animal science with a beef cattle option and is pursing a minor in agriculture business management. He is the son of Steve and Robin Myers. Robert has served in leadership positions both in the Oregon and Western States Junior Angus Associations.

Andrew Rogen, Brandon, S.D., is active in the South Dakota Junior Angus Association, and is currently serving his third year as president. He is the son of Dick and Shally Rogen. He will be a sophomore at South Dakota State University where he is pursuing a biology degree before attending Vet school.

Kirbe Schnoor, Chowchilla, Calif., is the daughter of Brad and Mindy Schnoor. She has been active in the California Junior Angus Association, where she has served as president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. She is studying political science at the California State University, Fresno.

Lindsay Waugh, Goodhue, Minn., attends North Dakota State University where she is studying animal science and equine studies. She is the daughter of Bruce and Lee Ann Waugh. Lindsay has been active in the Minnesota Junior Angus Association and currently serves as president.

The NJAA Board plans programs and events for nearly 11,000 NJAA members nationwide. For more information about the NJAA or to learn how to become involved, visit www.njaa.info. Junior programs are designed for those Angus youth under the age of 21.

Members of the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) celebrated "Christmas in July" during the 2008 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), July 13-19 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa. The young exhibitors between the ages of 9- and 21-years-old showcased 1,141 head during the week, which includes 669 owned females, 235 bred-and-owned females, 72 bred-and-owned bulls, 14 bred-and-owned cow-calf pairs, 31 owned cow-calf pairs, 73 steers and 47 carcass steers.

Three cattlemen evaluated the entries during the four-days of cattle shows. Blake Bloomberg, College Station, Texas, evaluated the steers; Mark Duffell, Aldie, Va., placed the bred-and-owned animals and the owned cow-calf pairs. Chris Sankey, Council Grove, Kan., judged the owned females.

Danielle Foster, Niles, Mich., led the grand champion owned female, WK Georgina 7315. The February 2007 daughter of BR Midland first won junior division 4.

Katy Satree, Montague, Texas, claimed reserve grand champion owned female. DAJS Lola 240 is a September 2006 daughter of TC Stockman 365 and first topped the senior division.

Leo Kruse, Rudd, Iowa, claimed the grand champion bred-and-owned female banner. KAF Bree is an April 2007 daughter of Gambles Hot Rod and first won the late junior division.

Trey Davis, Doerun, Ga., captured reserve grand champion bred-and-owned female honors. Davis Shadoe 7288 is an October 2007 daughter of Leachman Saugahatchee 3000C and earlier won early senior calf champion.

Walt Stinson, Talbott, Tenn., showed the grand champion bred-and-owned bull. SAF Achilles 710 is a February 2007 son of S A V 8180 Traveler 004 that first topped the junior division.

Garrett Johnston, Staunton, Va., led the reserve grand champion bred-and-owned bull. GJCC Hot Rodn Thumper 0037 earlier won reserve junior champion. He's a February 2007 son of Gambles Hot Rod.

Mandy Richardson, Louisa, Va., captured grand champion owned cow-calf pair with her two-year-old champion. Champion Hill Lucy 5373 is a February 2006 daughter of Leachman Saugahatchee 3000C. An April 2008 heifer calf sired by S A V 004 Traveler 4836 completes the winning pair.

Courtney Jass, Garner, Iowa, led the reserve grand champion owned cow-calf pair. S H Raptors Rose Lee 6460 is a March 2006 daughter of Dameron P V F Raptor 702. A February 2008 bull calf sired by Exar Lutton 1831 completes the duo that first won reserve two-year-old champion.

Blake Boyd, Mayslick, Ky., showed the grand champion bred-and-owned cow-calf pair. Boyd Forever Lady 5125 is a September 2005 daughter of Wulffs Ext 6106. An October 2007 heifer calf sired by S A V 8180 Traveler 004 completes the pair that first topped the two-year-old division.

Lindsey Grimes, Hillsboro, Ohio, led the reserve grand champion cow-calf pair. Maplecrest Rita 5120 is a November 2005 daughter of Rito 1I2 of 2536 Rito 6I6. A January 2008 bull calf sired by C R A Bexter 872 5205 608 completes the winning duo that earlier won reserve two-year-old pair.

Kade Patton, Frankfort, Ind., showed the grand champion steer. Covells General is an April 2007 son of B E B Juneau 104, and weighed in at 1,305 pounds on show day.

Katy Satree, Montague, Texas, captured reserve grand champion steer with DAJS Owen 410. He's a July 2007 son of DAJS All Star M243 and weighed 1,325 pounds.

In the carcass steer competition, Ethan McCabe, Elk City, Kan., captured the grand champion honor. Kim Mac In Focus 227 is a January 2007 son of Mytty In Focus. He graded Choice with a Yield Grade of 1.90, and met Certified Angus Beef® (CAB) specifications.

Hannah McCabe, Elk City, Kan., entered the reserve grand champion carcass steer. NF Mc 2500 187 is a February 2007 son of Schurrtop MC 2500. He graded Choice with a Yield Grade of 2.02 and also met CAB specifications.