The District 5 Junior Holstein Association hosted the Wisconsin Junior Holstein Convention in Wisconsin Dells, December 27-29, 2024. Over 450 Holstein members, chaperones, and volunteers attended, ensuring a successful and memorable event.
Saturday evening featured the annual banquet, where the association honored its most outstanding junior members. Evan Hathaway of Iowa County and Ainsley Noble of Grant County earned top accolades as Outstanding Holstein Boy and Girl. Both have excelled in their Holstein projects and contributed significantly to the dairy industry.
The banquet also celebrated 12 Distinguished Junior Members, 14 Young Distinguished Junior Members, and 10 Twelve & Under Recognition winners. These individuals stood out for their dedication to Wisconsin Holstein activities in 2024.
Distinguished Junior Members
In addition to Hathaway and Noble, 2024 Distinguished Junior Members included Emma Bangert, Wood County; Lauren Breunig, Dane County; Sara Dorshorst, Wood County; Cathryn Gunst, Waupaca-Waushara County; Christopher Gunst, Waupaca-Waushara County; Elizabeth Gunst, Dodge County; Jacob Harbaugh, Shawano County; Maddy Hensel, Wood County; Brianna Meyer, Manitowoc/Calumet County; Tristen Ostrom, Brown County; Ella Raatz, Clark County; and Garrett Ulness, Manitowoc/Calumet County.
Young Distinguished Junior Members
The Young Distinguished Junior Holstein Members included Justin Brandel, Jefferson County; Kayla Buttles, Grant County; Gavin Carncross; District 5 Junior Holstein; Alison Gartman, Sheboygan County; Madison Harbaugh, Shawano County; Vivian Lichty, Dodge County; Leah Mess, Fond du Lac County; Abby Meyer, Manitowoc/Calumet County; Brooke Mueller, Green County; Laney Neuser, Manitowoc/Calumet County; Mallory Nifong, Rock County; Payton Sarbacker, Dane County; Abigail Schultz, Manitowoc/Calumet County; and Alivia Wiese, Brown County.
Twelve & Under Member Recognition
Twelve & Under Member Recognition was awarded to Carter Coffeen, Brown County; Elise Gilbertson, Iowa County; Naydeen Gilbertson, Iowa County; Callie Krohlow, District 5 Junior Holstein; Conway Krohlow, District 5 Junior Holstein; George Linscheid, Iowa County; Adella Loehr, Fond du Lac County; Siera McCullough, Green County; and Reagan Sarbacker, Dane County.
Wisconsin selected four exceptional youth to represent the state at the National Holstein Convention.Distinguished Junior Members Evan Hathaway, Lauren Breunig, Brianna Meyer, and Garrett Ulness will advance nationally.
Young Distinguished Junior Members Justin Brandel, Gavin Carncross, Leah Mess, and Abby Meyer will also compete for national honors.
Wisconsin Holstein Princess
The evening’s excitement grew as the 2025 Wisconsin Holstein Princess and Attendant were crowned. Jazmyn Heeg of Clark County earned the title of Princess, while Tia Hildebrandt of Dodge County was named Princess Attendant.
