Juniors

Junior membership is open to young people up to 21 years of age who have an interest in the Red Angus breed. Many of these young people show Red Angus cattle at junior shows throughout California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Idaho. Contact Junior Advisor, Juli Figone at (408) 612-9434 for more information or to become a member.
Newly elected junior board takes office
We are thrilled to announce the newly elected Junior Board who are excited to bring fresh perspectives and enthusiasm to the Western States Red Angus Association. Committed to advancing the interests of our junior members, the board is thrilled to embark on a year filled with exciting opportunities, events, and educational initiatives!
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Hi there! My name is Kambrie Murray and I am your Western States Red Angus Association President. I am from Lebanon, Oregon where we produce Grass Seed, Hay, and Red Angus cattle on our farm. I am 18 years old, just graduated from Lebanon High School and in the fall I will be attending Linn Benton Community College where I will major in Animal Science and also be apart of their livestock judging team. When I’m done with school I have hopes of becoming a large animal embryologist while also helping on my family farm. I am so excited to see you all at this years Western National Red Angus Show and hope you enjoy all the fun and new things we have planned for this year!
Hi, my name is Lane Murray. I am 13 years old and am your Western States Red Angus Vice President. I enjoy riding my four wheeler, working with my heifer and steer and playing baseball. I am excited to be apart of this year’s board as I think I’m a good fit because I am young but wise. I look forward to seeing you in Reno! Thank you for taking time to read a little bit about me!
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Hi! My name is Paislee Reynolds, I am 13 years old and your Western States Junior Treasurer. I live in a small town called Powell Butte, Oregon where I attend the Powell Butte Community Charter School, and manage my own herd of Red Angus cattle. I have been showing Red Angus for as long as I can remember and love it so much. I am currently in 4-H and love being involved in other shows such as the Western National Red Angus Show! I also attend bull sales such as the Red Bluff Bull and Gelding Sale as well as Klamath Falls Bull Sale with my family. I believe this is just the beginning for me and I have a long ways to go but I hope to never lose my passion for showing cattle! I can't wait to see you at the 2024 Bet On Red!

Hi! I’m Jenna Cox and am currently your Jr. Board Secretary. I’m from Walla Walla, WA and just recently graduated from DeSales Catholic High School. I am enrolled in the Honors College at Montana State University and will head there in the fall to pursue a degree in either Embryology or Ranching Systems.

I grew up on a yearling / cow-calf operation but am now working with my family to develop and show our purebred Red Angus herd. I have a passion for showing cattle, I jackpot both heifers and steers during the summer, sell a fat steer at the county fair, and exhibit cattle at the NAJRAE and NILE. I am incredibly excited to have the opportunity to be on the Junior Board and can’t wait to see everyone in Reno!


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Hey there! My name is Taryn Cox and I hold the office of Social Chair for the 2023-2024 Western States Junior Red Angus Association officer team. I am attending Kansas State University where I am majoring in Agricultural Communications and Journalism with a minor in Agricultural Economics and a PreLaw specialty (it is a mouthful, I know). I love showing cattle, spending time with my family, and meeting new people! I grew up on a commercial yearling operation just outside of Walla Walla, Washington before my family and I transitioned into raising purebred Red Angus cattle. Along with my own Red Angus cattle, I have a small herd of Charolais cattle as well. I feel very lucky to have seen and been part of the various sectors of the cattle industry because it has given me a perspective that is unique. I am so excited for this year and all that is to come for the Western States Junior Red Angus Association and the Western National Red Angus Show.
P.S. Don’t forget to check out our monthly officer highlights on the Western States Red Angus Association’s Instagram and Facebook!

WSJRAA member elevates at the national convention

The inaugural Elevate Collegiate Leadership Conference took place in conjunction with the National Red Angus Convention on September 14-15 in Denver, Colorado. This conference aimed to empower college students by focusing on their professional development in a real-world context.

Taryn Cox shared her experience, highlighting the opportunity to connect with peers and older students, discussing internships, college experiences, and future plans. The conference's first day emphasized understanding one's strengths, reshaping perspectives on personal strengths and weaknesses. The second day delved into creating meaningful connections, providing valuable tips on relationship-building. The event concluded with resume building and interview/salary negotiation guidance.

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New leadership Opportunity produces excitement
During the 2022 Red Western Classic, the idea of forming a Junior Board was brought to life. Since then, four officers were elected and are now working hard to bring many new activities to this year's event. Their goal is to make the event even more exciting and enjoyable for everyone attending. Read below to learn more about the 2022-23 officer team! 
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Hi there! My name is Kambrie Murray and I am your Western States Red Angus Association President. I am from Lebanon, Oregon where we produce Grass Seed, Hay, and Red Angus cattle on our farm. I am 18 years old, just graduated from Lebanon High School and in the fall I will be attending Linn Benton Community College where I will major in Animal Science and also be apart of their livestock judging team. When I’m done with school I have hopes of becoming a large animal embryologist while also helping on my family farm. I am so excited to see you all at this years Western National Red Angus Show and hope you enjoy all the fun and new things we have planned for this year!

Hi there! I'm Mackenzie Forbes, from Walla Walla, Washington. Currently, I'm the Western States Red Angus Junior Vice President. I recently graduated from Touchet High School and also took classes at Walla Walla Community College. Throughout high school, I was involved in FFA and served as Vice President and later President. Before that, I participated in 4-H, showing pigs until middle school.

In the fall, I'll be attending WSU for Animal Science and business. I've been showing cattle since 2016, buying my first heifer in Reno. I also help my parents with bull sales, locker meat, and our cow-calf operation.

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Hi! I’m Jenna Cox and am currently your Jr. Board Secretary. I’m from Walla Walla, WA and just recently graduated from DeSales Catholic High School. I am enrolled in the Honors College at Montana State University and will head there in the fall to pursue a degree in either Embryology or Ranching Systems.

I grew up on a yearling / cow-calf operation but am now working with my family to develop and show our purebred red angus herd. I have a passion for showing cattle, I jackpot both heifers and steers during the summer, sell a fat steer at the county fair, and haul cattle to NAJRAE and the NILE. I am incredibly excited to have the opportunity to be on the Junior Board and can’t wait to see everyone in Reno!

Hi! I’m Taryn Cox from Walla Walla, Washington and I am currently serving as the Social Media director for the Western States Junior Red Angus board! I am 18 years old and just recently graduated from DeSales Catholic High School. During high school I played soccer, was captain of the Knowledge Bowl team, was active in the National Honor Society, and participated in ASB. I will be attending Kansas State University in the fall to major in Agriculture Economics with a Pre-Law specialty.

I have shown cattle through 4H since elementary school and have shown Red Angus for about five years now. I have my own herd(s) of purebred Red Angus and Charolais cattle and look forward to expanding them in the future. When I’m not showing cattle, I enjoy drinking coffee, going for drives, and drinking a lot of coffee. I would like to thank the senior board for the re-in station of the junior board and this great opportunity. I’m looking forward to all that we can accomplish!

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WSRAA Junior Member bundles up in Iowa
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Western States Junior Red Angus Association Member, Emma Gnech, joined in the fun at the 2022 Young Stockman Program in Dunlap, Iowa. The Young Stockman Program is designed to provide juniors with hands-on experience related to beef production. Gleaning insights, guidance and advice from university faculty, industry professionals, and cattle producers.

After returning from an exciting weekend surrounded by cattle and friends, Emma recalls, "I learned about the industry of butchering and processing beef, which is eye-opening as a beef producer to see the qualities a butcher looks for versus a show cattle or hobby farm owner." She was grateful to gain a better understanding about the finishing stages of beef cattle. Emma also learned various marketing strategies that she can apply to her own programs at home.

Red Angus Juniors Meet in California

North-American-Junior-Red-Angus-Event,-Grand-Island,-NebraskaJunior members from 12 states and Canada met in Sacramento, Calif., for the 2014 Round-Up in June. Members of the Canadian Junior Angus Association also attended Round-Up as part of the JRA American/Canadian Exchange Program.  Representing the North West Red Angus Association were:  Brady Linnell, Oregon, Riley Haun, Idaho, Morgan Cortez, Idaho, Anna Miller, California, and Royce McPhee-Bayha, California.  During the week of Red Angus focused activities, Anna Miller was elected to join the Officer team.  We are very proud to have Anna representing the North West!

Highlights of the 2014 Round-Up included stops at: Mendoza Red Angus, Valley Springs, Calif.; Awalt’s AAA Red Angus, Sanger, Calif.; Silveira Brothers Angus, Firebaugh, Calif.; Harris Ranch feedlot and Thoroughbred operations, Coalinga, Calif.; McPhee Red Angus, Lodi, Calif., Yosemite National Park and Fresno State University. Stops at Prima Frutta, an olive grove and processing facility and a vineyard were included in the tour of California agriculture.

The week included all the JRA National Contests - Quiz Bowl, Team Advocacy, Prepared Speech, Extemporaneous Speech, Barnyard Olympics, Scrapbook, Print Advertising, Cattle Evaluation/Judging, T-shirt design, Poster, Stockman’s Quiz, Equipment Identification and Weight Guessing. Results from involvement in all the contests lead to the coveted Best-All-Around award presented at the Saturday awards banquet. Northwest Red Angus Juniors attending the 2014 JRA Round Up in California are from L-R: Anna Miller, Morgan Cortez, Riley Haun, Royce McPhee-Bayha and Brady Linnell.

North American Junior Red Angus Event, Grand Island, Nebraska

Four juniors from Idaho traveled to the Red Angus junior national show in Grand Island, Nebraska, in June. Traveling across Idaho, Wyoming, and Nebraska, the two day drive found these Idaho Juniors ready to compete!   This is the third year that juniors from the North West have traveled to be a part of the NAJRAE.    During the 4-day event, juniors competed in public speaking, sales talk, herdsman quiz, livestock judging, quiz bowl team competition, team fitting, photography, showmanship, bred and owned and owned cattle competition and futurity heifer show.  One of the week's highlights was the Idaho team taking home bragging rights as the Intermediate Division Quiz Bowl Champions!  

After the individual competition results were calculated, Idaho was well represented with Riley Haun being awarded several competition wins, and 5th high overall individual honors. NAJRAE board member Morgan Cortez also received several individual awards adding up to 8th high individual award for the week.  Willy Haun also received recognition as the second place public speaking recipient for the junior division. 

2014 NJRAE Idaho Display

Congratulations Quiz Bowl Champions!
Riley Haun, Chanelle Brussea, Moran Cortez, and Willy Haun

2014 Loaded 4 Leadership a Success

2014NWSSRepresenting the North West at the 2014 Loaded 4 Leadership in Denver in conjunction with the National Western Stock Show were:

  •  Morgan Cortez, Idaho
  • Payton Fehringer,  Idaho
  • Riley Haun, Idaho
  • Anna Miller, California
  • Royce McPhee-Bayha, California

Twenty-five JRA members from 14 states gathered in Denver for the 2014 Loaded 4 Leadership (L4L) junior conference. The two-day event - focused on being a beef industry advocate, becoming Masters of Beef Advocacy and filming and editing JRA advocacy videos – was highlighted by Copperhead Road line dance and two–step lessons by a professional dance instructor and a Lunch with Leaders (the RAAA Board of Directors).

Nationally recognized advocacy video producer and star, Greg Peterson of Peterson Farm Brothers in Kansas, was the keynote speaker of this year’s L4L. Greg spent both days with the Red Angus juniors, sharing his insight, suggestions and editing skills with those in attendance.

Daren Williams, Candace Weeda and Michele Peterson Murray, all National Cattlemen’s Beef Association staff members, brought experience and expertise in beef advocacy and social media to the conference.

Teams of Red Angus juniors brainstormed, scripted, filmed and edited their own beef and JRA advocacy videos as part of L4L. Watch the JRA e-News and JRA Facebook in the near future to view the completed videos!

L4L, which alternates years with the Red Angus Young Stockman Program, will be held again in 2016.

For more information on Loaded 4 Leadership, the Red Angus Young Stockman Program or other JRA programs and events, contact dawn@redangus.org.