2024 Interns
For more information: Kaye Gilbert, 319-931-8127
Ashlynn Fennema
Ashlynn grew up on a farm and ranch in Leiter, Wyoming where her family raises Red Angus cattle, and commercial sheep, and produces irrigated alfalfa hay. She attended junior college at Casper College where she competed on their livestock judging team and received her associate's degrees in animal science and elementary education. Fennema then attended Oklahoma State and the University of Wyoming to complete her bachelor's degree in elementary education which she will finish in December 2025. Her goal is to work in a classroom where she can integrate Ag in the Classroom curriculum because sadly the basics of agriculture knowledge have been lost. Ashlynn is excited to be back this year working alongside this association's leaders and the youth who participate!
Leiter, Wyoming
Madison Lupher
Madison is the daughter of Wes and Becky Lupher and currently attends the University of Wyoming. There she studies Animal Science and is a part of the Livestock Judging team. Madison grew up on a ranch in Southwest Wyoming and is the sixth generation on the Lupher ranch in Mountain View. Her family runs around 200 head of cows and utilizes draft horses for most of the operation. She owns a small herd of registered Red Angus cows and is active in the showing and judging community around Wyoming. Madison hopes to pursue a career in the cattle industry and has a passion for not only Red Angus, but cattle as a whole.
Mountain View, Wyoming
Paige Roberts, of Albert City, IA, is the daughter of Phil and Mary Roberts and has two younger siblings, Lexi and Jake. She attends Iowa State University where she is majoring in Agricultural Studies with emphasis areas in Animal Science, Ag Communications /Education, and Ag Business. She is involved with the Iowa State Block and Bridle club as a committee co-chair. She also serves as the State Secretary for the Iowa PAS Organization. Paige grew up on a family farm and was involved in 4H and FFA where she primarily showed cattle, swine, and sheep in addition to static projects. Through her experience and these events, she found her passion for the agriculture industry and love for cattle. She is a first generation cow/calf producer and raises black Angus cattle that she has shown on county, state, and national levels. Paige is excited to be a NAJRAE intern and make connections with exhibitors and memories that will last a lifetime.
Paige Roberts
Newell, Iowa
Sydney Stolee
Sydney Stolee is the daughter of Amy Espenscheid and Bryan Stolee. Sydney was raised on a third generation hereford farm in Wisconsin along with her sister Tayton. Two years ago, she moved to Iowa continuing her passion for cattle. Along with showing Herefords nationally, she has shown pigs. Sydney is currently a senior at Kansas State University majoring in agriculture communications and journalism. She was on the K-State meats judging team and is part of Iowa Junior Hereford Association serving as Vice President. In the future, Sydney hopes to pursue a job on the marketing side of Certified Angus Beef.
Centerville, Iowa
Kristen Smith
Kristen Smith is a junior from College Springs, Iowa attending South Dakota State University. She's majoring in agricultural communications with minors in animal science, advertising, agribusiness marketing, agricultural business and entrepreneurial studies. Her strong passion for the agricultural industry stems from growing up on a four-generation row-crop farm with a feedlot and a black Angus cow-calf operation. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking and baking, photography and playing with her corgi puppy, Toby. Kristen is looking forward to covering NAJRAE in all aspects of marketing and communications and the chance to connect with producers during the show in Kentucky.
At Large Director