Holstein Association Holstein Association USA Inc. has presented the Overall Judi Collinsworth Outstanding Junior Exhibitor Award to Jaylene Lesher of Bernville, Pennsylvania.

Lesher, 21, is a senior at Pennsylvania State University, majoring in animal science with a minor in agribusiness management. She also works part time at her parents' dairy, Way-Har Farms, LLC, helping on the farm and in the dairy store.

Lesher has participated widely in her state and county Holstein organizations. As a member of the Pennsylvania Junior Holstein Association, she was a Distinguished Junior Member finalist in 2014 and has participated in dairy judging on local, state, national, and international levels, as well as in public speaking and the Dairy Bowl. She was a National Holstein Women's Scholarship Organization winner and a Premier National Junior Show Exhibitor for six years.

Lesher took second place in the Senior Division of the All-American Dairy Show Youth Showmanship contest in 2014. As a member of the Penn State Dairy Science Club, she chaired the 2015 Nittany Lion Fall Classic Sale and was a Today In Agriculture volunteer at the Pennsylvania Farm Show. She was a member of the Penn State Dairy Judging Team.

Eventually Lesher would like to become a partner in her family's dairy farm and store and continue to raise Holstein cattle.

The Collinsworth Award is presented in honor of the Association's former executive director of member and industry services, Judi Collinsworth. The award recognizes youths' work and involvement with Holstein cattle and dairy activities. Recipients are chosen based on their sportsmanship, herdsmanship, and participation in Holstein and other agricultural activities. They must also write an essay describing what they have learned while exhibiting Registered Holstein cattle.

One Judi Collinsworth Award recipient is selected at each of the four National Junior Holstein Shows. Lesher won the award at Premier Junior Holstein Show. Other winners from 2015 National Junior Holstein Shows were Morgan Sageser, Kentucky, North American International Livestock Exposition; Jordan Siemers, Wisconsin, International Junior Holstein Show; and Steven Nelson, Missouri, Southern Spring National Junior Holstein Show.

For more information on Holstein youth programs, contact Kelli Dunklee at 800.952.5200, ext. 4124 or kdunklee@holstein.com.

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1.28.2016