$14,000 in scholarships and prizes awarded at 16th annual GOAL Conference

After a cancellation last year and postponement from earlier this year, 45 Canadian Angus youth and one guest from the Junior Red Angus Association in the United States were excited to gather in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan over the weekend for the sixteenth annual Guiding Outstanding Angus Leaders (GOAL) Conference. GOAL is traditionally held over the February long weekend. The five finalists in the Canadian Angus Foundation Legacy Scholarship program shared $11,000 and a $3,000 heifer voucher prize was awarded to one lucky attendee.

Julie Sharp of Lacombe, Alberta placed first and received a $5,000 scholarship. Sharp just completed her second year as a student in the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture program at the University of Saskatchewan where she is on the board of the (Bio)Science Club. A member of the Canadian Junior Angus and Alberta Angus Associations, Sharp served as Alberta treasurer from 2019–2021. She has been building her own herd of Black Angus cattle since she was nine years old and has a career goal of working in livestock genetics.

Morgan MacIntyre of Russell, Ontario placed second and received a $3,000 scholarship. MacIntyre just completed her third year of the Honours Bachelor of Applied Technology–Biotechnology program at Fanshawe College. She is on both the Canadian Junior Angus and Ontario Junior Angus Association Boards of Directors as well as the Ontario Young Canadian Simmental Association Board of Directors. MacIntyre has been involved in 4-H for 11 years, serving as vice president, president and secretary.

Placing third and receiving a $2,000 scholarship is Bobbi Jo Foster of Dropmore, Manitoba. Foster received a diploma in Animal Science Technology in 2021 and is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Agriculture Technology at Lakeland College, a new program. She serves on the Lakeland College Student’s Association and belongs to the Judging Club and Stockman’s Club.

Hillary Sauder of Hodgeville, Saskatchewan and Jordan Dorrance of Wawota, Saskatchewan each received $500 as runners-up in the competition. Sauder recently completed the agribusiness program at Lakeland College. She plans to work in the beef industry and eventually take over her family’s Windy Willows Farms operation. Dorrance will graduate from high school in June and plans to pursue an agriculture business degree to help her excel as a fifth-generation rancher, eventually taking over her family’s operation, T Bar K Ranch.

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, Chase Bruynooghe of Outlook, Saskatchewan won a $3,000 heifer voucher. All attendees had their names entered into a draw and his name was selected. Bruynooghe will use the funds toward the purchase of an Angus female this year.

Highlights from GOAL included a tour of the Livestock Centre of Excellence and Saskatoon Colostrum Ltd.; presentations from Becky Johnson, Bison Ridge Farms about building a brand; Colin Rush, Clean Seed Capital Group/Clean Seed Agricultural Technologies about agriculture innovations; Clark Caldwell, Farm Credit Canada on finances; Kajal Devani, Canadian Angus Association on genomic technology; Levi Hurlburt, JGL Livestock on life lessons; and Jourdyn Sammons about agriculture advocacy in social media. Attendees also enjoyed a formal dinner and participated in a quiz game.

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.