Dubuque, Iowa, hosted the 2014 National Holstein Convention June 24 through 28, where youth had the opportunity to show off their dairy knowledge in Dairy Bowl and Dairy Jeopardy. Almost 175 youth competed in the two contests, many of whom qualified at the state level to earn a spot to compete nationally with their team.
Dairy Jeopardy
More than 75 participants, broken into three divisions, competed in Dairy Jeopardy. Based on the popular TV game show, youth compete individually, answering dairy industry related questions and wagering points; testing not only their industry knowledge, but their critical thinking and risk management skills. The top three individuals in each division are as follows.
Junior Division (ages 9-13)
1st Place: Hayley Fernandes, California
2nd Place: Corbin Gauthier, Kansas
3rd Place: Hanna Richman, New Jersey
Intermediate Division (ages 14-17)
1st Place: Emily Irwin, Illinois
2nd Place: Casey Porter, New York
3rd Place: Nathan Arthur, Iowa
Senior Division (ages 18-21)
1st Place: Andy Sell, Wisconsin
2nd Place: Joey Adams, Iowa
3rd Place: Sally Hamlett, Iowa
Dairy Bowl
Dairy Bowl is a fast paced competition in which teams of four compete head-to-head to see who can buzz in first to answer questions related to the dairy industry. A total of 25 teams competed in two divisions.
The Junior Division (ages 9-15) championship round came down to teams from California and Illinois. California was victorious in the junior division, with a team consisting of Siana Barrett, Hayden Costa, Hannah Mancebo and Macey Pearson, coached by Kirsten Areias and Sarah Zonneveld. The runner up in this division, Illinois, consisted of teammates Kate Carlson, Jared Dickman, Connor Erbsen, and Jordon Oellerich, with coaches Becky and Glen Meier. Placing in the top five teams were New York, Iowa and Washington.
Senior Division (ages 16-21) finalists consisted of California and Pennsylvania, with Pennsylvania becoming the champion. The undefeated Pennsylvania team was made up of sibling pairs Laura and Travis Holtzinger and Daniel and Sara Kitchen, with Pat Kitchen as the coach. The second place team, California, consisted of Bailey Allen, Frankie Gambonini, Kiara Gilardi, and Hannah Van Dyk, with coaches Kirsten Areias and Sarah Zonneveld. Rounding out the top five teams in the senior competition were Wisconsin, Washington and Minnesota.
In the heat of competition, it is important for teams to maintain sportsmanlike conduct. One team in each division is awarded for exemplifying principles of courtesy, friendliness and team spirit. The junior division team to best display these attributes was South Dakota, made up of John Achen, Dylan Frey, Stephanie Post, and Alex Thyen, coached by Mike Frey. Senior division honors went to Iowa, with a team consisting of Andy Dougherty, Megan Rauen, Bethany Simon, and Josh Simon, with coach, Jessica Hammerand.
Dairy Knowledge Exam
Open to any youth, without pre-registration, the dairy knowledge exam attracted over 250 participants to test their knowledge with this 25-question written test. Participants are given one of two tests, dependent on their age. The winners of each age division are:
Junior Division (ages 9-15)
1st Place: Hayley Fernandes, California
2nd Place: Macey Pearson, California
3rd Place: Siana Barrett, California
Senior Division (ages 16-21)
1st Place: Alex Gambonini, California
2nd Place: Travis Holtzinger, Pennsylvania
3rd Place: Frankie Gambonini, California
For more information about Holstein Foundation youth programs, visit www.holsteinfoundation.org, or contact Kelli Dunklee, youth programs specialist, at 800.952.5200, ext. 4124.
7.16.2014