Junior Board

Paige Van Dyke
Illinois
President

Paige Van Dyke is from Louisville, Illinois, and is currently a freshman at Lake Land College in the Ag Transfer program. She is majoring in Ag Communications with an emphasis in broadcasting. During her time on the board, Paige would like to expand the peewee program and help encourage new members to step outside their comfort zone and get involved in the breed that we all call family.

Best Advice: “Never give up no matter how hard it gets and be humble”

Favorite Movie: Elf

Favorite Food: Steak or Chicken and noodles!

Favorite NAJRAE Memory: My favorite memory goes back to my first NAJRAE in Grand Island Nebraska back in 2014. The truck broke down on my uncle and me numerous times on the way, luckily some friends of my uncles were nearby and they hooked on our trailer and away my heifer and I went. At the time I didn’t know these individuals, but we quickly grew a bond that lasts to this day. As a 12-year-old this was a week filled with a whirlwind of emotions, but because everyone was so welcoming my first NAJRAE quickly turned around winning the judging contest and exhibiting the Reserve Grand Champion Futurity Heifer. However, this wasn’t the best part of the trip….. It was the individuals I met that week that encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone, try new things and get involved with the Red Angus breed. Thank you to everyone who made this a memory that will last a lifetime.

Reba Prather
Kentucky
Vice President

Reba Prather is from Nancy, Kentucky and is currently a sophomore at the University of Kentucky. She is majoring in Animal Science with a minor in Agriculture Business. During her time on the board, Reba would like to communicate the goals of the Junior Board to members and help prepare juniors for leadership positions.  She would also like to help them grow no only in the industry but as the next group of young leaders.

Best advice: “If you're going to be stupid you'd better be tough." 

Favorite Movie: The Lone Ranger

Favorite Food: Mexican Food 

Favorite NAJRAE Memory: Reba's favorite memory would be participating in the Big Little Program. In 2017, she got her first little and was able to grow a connection with her unlike any other.  She has been able to watch her grow over the years and she is so excited to see where she goes in the future.  They have become such great friends and they look forward to seeing each other every year! 

 Tar Tut
Minnesota
Secretary

Hello all, My name is Tar Tut from Faribault, Minnesota I am currently a freshman at Butler Community College where I am part of the livestock judging team, as well as studying agricultural sciences. During my term I wish to make every junior feel welcomed year after year, along with making it their favorite junior nationals to attend as it is mine.

Best advice: “It's a proud day, not a perfect day."

Favorite Movie: The Help

Favorite Food: Lasagna 

Favorite NAJRAE Memory: Tar's favorite memory was attending his first NAJRAE event in Stillwater, Oklahoma. 

 
Brock Montgomery
Kansas
At-Large Board Member

Brock Montgomery is from Coats, Kansas and a freshman at Oklahoma State University.  He is double majoring in Ag Education and Animal Science.  While participating on the junior board, Brock wants to educate the junior members about the Red Angus breed, the opportunities available within the Agriculture industry and help them develop leadership skills.

Best Advice: “Greatness from small beginnings” by Sir Francis Drake is Brock’s favorite motto.  He believes that working hard, putting in the time and not taking shortcuts will pay off in the end. Brock believes that integrity and honesty are the most important traits that one should possess. 

Favorite Movie: Cast Away with Tom Hanks

Favorite Food: Chips and Salsa

Favorite NAJRAE Memory: Brock started showing at NAJRAE in 2010 at the Stillwater, Oklahoma show.  At that time it was called NAJRAS, and he was a Pee Wee.  His “Big” mentor was Ryan Shuey from Iowa.  Together they won the treasure hunt contest and his award was a rope halter. Brock won the Pee Wee judging contest and his award was a giant glass diamond.  His brother, Ty, had the Grand Champion Steer and there was only 3 head shown that year.   Attending this event with his family jump-started their annual participation and they have only missed one, the 2016 Springfield, Illinois show.

Holly Thomas is from Gatesville, Texas and is currently freshman at Oklahoma State University.  She is majoring in Animals Science with an emphasis in Livestock Merchandising. During her term on the junior board, Holly hopes to provide the juniors with more knowledge about the breed as well as the industry, all while helping them grow as individual leaders. 

Best Advice: All men are created equal, some just work harder in pre-season. 

Favorite Movie: The Man from Snowy River

Favorite Food: Absolutely anything..but mushrooms 

Favorite NAJRAE Memory: Attending my first ever NAJRAE in 2017 at Stillwater, Oklahoma and realizing what I had been missing out on and finally feeling like I found my true friends and family.

Nicki Adolph
Illinois
At-Large Board Member

Nicki Adolph is from Mt. Carroll, Illinois and is currently a freshman at the University of Illinois. She is majoring in Animal Science. During her term on the junior board, Nicki would like to continue organizing and hosting an event such as NAJRAE to give young Red Angus exhibitors the same enjoyable week year after year. 

Best Advice: Don't be afraid to use that roto brush!

Favorite Movie: Flicka

Favorite Food: Macaroni and cheese

Favorite NAJRAE Memory: Nicki's favorite memory was singing "Amazing Lace" at the funeral for Johanna Ford's worn out Twisted X Shoes at the stalls in 2019.