Hi! Here is Your Daily Angus Agenda

NJAS Pro-Tips

Do you remember your first Junior Nationals? The excitement from going to a national show, the large groups of people everywhere and the seemingly endless amount of things to be done all add together to make even the toughest of juniors nervous. More than a few of us probably wish we had a little extra advice for those first few National Junior Shows, so the board has put together a few pro tips to help make it through NJAS, especially during this unique year!

If you’re interested in a contest, ask about it. Though many contests have had to be cut this year, there are still plenty that are able to be held. Ask your junior advisor, an adult or even other junior members to see what the contest is about and get ideas for new things to try next year!

Seek out the rules for each contest you are participating in and review them. This year will be very different than those in the past and has a lot of changes to various rules. Even if you are an old veteran, be sure to review the rules of the show and all contests that have been tailor-made for this year. You have a year to prepare before NJAS 2021, and being familiar with contests now gives you a great head start!

Don’t be afraid to talk to new people. We want everyone to be safe this year; however, Junior Nationals is about more than just the show and contests. It's also about meeting new people, so don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone and make new friends.

Continue to have fun all week long while we’re all OK in Tulsa!

-Grady Dickerson, Leadership Director

Behind the Scenes of the NJAS

Junior Nationals are the two most hectic and busy weeks that a junior board member will experience in their two-year term. While things this year may be a bit different, our hard work and dedication to make Junior Nationals go off without a hitch will still be there. 

Because of the virus, we had to adapt some contests and events to be able to hold them. During the virtual public speaking and career development contests, we were in the office helping keep times and score sheets, while also recording pieces for the Open and Closing Ceremonies. I can’t wait for you to see the virtual presentations! Leading up to the week, the Old 6 shares a lot of advice for the New 6 because let me tell you, NJAS is so much different being a Green Jacket than an exhibitor or a candidate. 

We arrive a day before cattle can arrive to make sure that everything is ready to go for check-in the following day. We have one last prep meeting to go over responsibilities, contest rules and any questions that night before, which helps all stay in the zone for the week ahead. 

Following check in, the real craziness of the week begins. Between ending one contest and starting another, to helping the A Team (Events and Education Staff) do whatever they need done, working the show and talking with junior exhibitors, you can bet our feet hurt at the end of the long days, but there is always a smile on our faces. Not only are we in the ring, but there are always a few on the stage helping make sure we are announcing the correct class placings. Some are helping with contest results, and others are helping in the Foundation or Angus Brand store. We make sure the show runs smoothly both in the ring and out. 

While it is a crazy long week, we are blessed to do it all for the best Junior Breed Association in the world! 

-Dylan Denny, Foundation Director