$14,000 in Scholarships and Prizes Awarded as Canadian Angus Youth Gather in Moose Jaw

Rocky View County, AB - More than 60 Canadian Angus youth and four American Angus youth gathered in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan over the weekend for the fourteenth annual Guiding Outstanding Angus Leaders (GOAL) Conference. $11,00 was awarded to the five finalists in the Canadian Angus Foundation Legacy Scholarship program and a $3,000 heifer voucher prize was awarded to one lucky attendee.

Matthew McGillivray of Kamloops, BC placed first and received a $5,000 scholarship. McGillivray is a second-year student at the University of Alberta in Edmonton working toward a degree in animal science. He intends to further pursue a doctor of veterinary medicine degree and also plans to take over the family ranch. He is the fifth generation to work that land.

Jarrett Hargrave of Proton Station, Ontario placed second and received a $3,000 scholarship. Hargrave is a second-year student enrolled in animal science technology at Lakeland College in Vermilion, Alberta where he is also the student general manager of the Purebred Student Managed Farm. Hargrave plans to return to Lakeland next year to obtain an agribusiness diploma and then pursue a career in agriculture sales while proceeding to take over the family farm.

Placing third and receiving a $2,000 scholarship is Naomi Best of Harding, Manitoba. Best is a second-year student at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon working toward a degree in animal science. She plans to work in the agribusiness sector and continue to build her Angus herd, eventually taking over the family farm, which has been in her family for three generations.

Charlene Elliott of Kenilworth, Ontario and Tyra Fox of Lloydminster, Saskatchewan each received $500 as runner ups in the competition. Elliott is a second-year student at the University of Guelph, working toward a degree in animal science. She plans to pursue a career as a beef nutritionist and stay involved in her family farm. Fox is a second-year student at Lakeland College in Lloydminster working on the pre-veterinarian program. She plans to pursue a doctor of veterinary medicine degree, specializing in embryology.

The Legacy Scholarship program awards $11,000 in prizes to Canadian Junior Angus members recognizing overall academic achievement, leadership and community involvement, and industry knowledge. The top five applicants attend the GOAL conference for an interview and panel discussion and the scholarships are awarded during the conference.

In addition to the scholarships, Jasmine Broeder of Assiniboia, Saskatchewan won a $3,000 heifer voucher. All attendees had their names entered into a draw and her name was selected. Broeder will use the funds toward the purchase of an Angus female in 2019.

CJA members participated in many events as well as workshops throughout the weekend. Highlights from the event included motivational speakers Chad Owens, past NFL/CFL Player and Bruce Vincent, a third-generation logger from Libby, Montana; a presentation on livestock water quality from Colby Elford and Leah Clark of Saskatchewan Agriculture which was followed by water sample testing; a presentation on beef cattle nutrition by Breanna Anderson of Blairs Family of Companies; and participants also completed a Verified Beef Production Plus workshop and were able to tour the Tunnels of Moose Jaw.

The GOAL Conference promotes leadership skills within the Angus breed. Junior members from all over the country attend this three-day event held in a different Canadian location each year. During the event, Juniors hear from nationally recognized speakers, participate in workshops designed to improve their leadership skills, get involved in teamwork activities, and develop beef and industry knowledge. Participants are also given the opportunity to network and socialize with fellow Junior Angus members.

Canadian Junior Angus is a group of Angus enthusiasts under the age of 21. GOAL is an annual networking and interactive function organized by the Canadian Junior Angus board. It rotates throughout the country every February.