by Kyla Nesheim

Priceless Memories
Can we put a price tag on memories? The kind that put a big smile on your face and make you laugh out loud. Good memories stay with a person forever. The national junior Maine-Anjou show brings priceless memories to the hundreds involved. Many memories are made throughout the week of junior nationals. Junior participants, parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers, board members, association members and well, whoever else gets the privilege to experience the show, go home with an array of new memories.
Junior Maine-Anjou members share a special bond among themselves, a bond most kids their age don’t get the privilege to encounter. A bond for the love of cattle, being a “farm kid,” being competitive, having sportsmanship, having respect for your fellow competitors and knowing how to have fun. The national junior show brings together old and new friends sharing similar hobbies and interests in the cattle industry. It’s an experience of a lifetime.
The national junior show is a week of friendship, fun, contests and cattle shows. What better way to spend a week than at junior nationals? Hanging out with friends, competing at all levels of competition, showing cattle and having a great time in the process. It teaches a great deal of respect and responsibility.
I walked away with many memories from the 2004 National Junior Show. I encountered a very talented group of young individuals. These junior members are talented in every aspect of the industry. At times they can be quite intimidating. Their brilliance on the cattle and the Maine-Anjou industry is overwhelming. Keep it up guys, you’re great! You have a bright future ahead of you. I am positive we could put our junior Maine-Anjou exhibitors up against a lot of competition and they would come out on top. Thanks for an enjoyable week.
Junior members showed off their creativity skills in the photography, poster, state scrapbook and Web site contests. Their cattle skills are phenomenal in the livestock judging, team grooming, showmanship and salesmanship contests. Words can’t explain the knowledge and expertise these junior Maine-Anjou members have in the quiz bowl and public speaking contests. Cherish these memories and hold them close to you. They will be some of the best times of your lives. Friendships will be made that will last a lifetime, knowledge will be gained to aid in future endeavors and respect will be taught to make you a better person.
Memories truly are priceless!
At this time I would like to send a big thanks out to Daniel Meyers, Director of Youth Activities at the American Maine- njou Association and Jill Nessler, host state coordinator, Illinois Maine-Anjou Association. A LOT of hard work went into this junior show and these two individuals had a lot to show for it. Countless hours are spent putting together an event with this magnitude. Next time you see or talk to Daniel or Jill remember to show your appreciation for a great national junior show. Also, thanks to everyone involved in planning and helping with the 2004 National Junior Maine-Anjou Show. It was a great success!