Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

McKinnon Earns 8th At Show

Katie McKinnon of Gurdon has placed among the leaders at the American Simmental Association's (ASA) Annual Summer Classic, held recently at Spokane, Washington.

In competition with other American Junior Simmental Association (AJSA) members from all over the nation, Miss McKinnon ranked eighth in the overall senior division standings. She took second place in the advertising and promotion contest, ranked sixth in heifer sales talk, finished eighth in both the public speaking and cattle judging contest and ranked 11th in the sire summary quiz. In addition, she was a member of the Arkansas team which took fifth place in the team competition.

The week-long program included a wide range of cattle-related events and activities. Competition is designed to enhance the learning experience of the contestants, through hands-on application, friendly competition and public recognition.

Points are gained by competing in judging, showmanship, heifer competition (both Simmental and Simbrah), sales talk, public speaking, sire summary quiz and herdsman quiz. Non-scoring competition is also conducted in interviewing, advertising and promotion, and beef bowl.

Members of the Washington Simmental/Simbrah Association (WSSA) along with members of the Oregon, Idaho and other Northwest State Associations, worked hand-in-hand with ASA staff to plan, coordinate and conduct the Classic, traditionally the grand finale of the activity year for the Association's youth program.

"Washington breeders did a tremendous job of planning and hosting the 1997 Classic," said ASA Board Chairman Bob Schalles, Manhattan, Kansas. "They turned out in large numbers ready and willing to do whatever was needed. We owe them our heartfelt thanks for a job well done."

ASA's 1998 AJSA National Classic XVIII will be held next July, in Columbus, Ohio.