KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Merideth Behrens was awarded the Mike Dugdale Memorial Scholarship at the 2024 National Junior Shorthorn Show and Youth Conference, held in Timonium, MD.
The $2,000 Dugdale Scholarship is awarded to a collegiate upperclassman are active AJSA members with a sincere interest in bettering the beef cattle industry after college.
Merideth Behrens is the daughter of Justin and Stephanie Behrens, from Colbert, Oklahoma. Merideth is currently a senior at Oklahoma State University, majoring in Agricultural education. Following graduation Merideth plans to use her degree and teach agriculture to students in Oklahoma.
“I hope to inspire and instill the love for agriculture into a student, like my dad and Ag. teacher did for me,” Behrens said. “Since the age of three and a half, I have been immersed in the world of Shorthorn cattle, which started back with my Grand-daddy Don, who introduced the love for Shorthorn cattle into my dad, who instilled it into me, making me a proud third generation Shorthorn breeder. Growing up in the cattle industry, the American Junior Shorthorn Association has played a pivotal role in shaping my journey and molding me into the person I am today.
“From my earliest memories, the presence of Shorthorns has been a constant in my life, instilling within me a deep appreciation for agriculture and a profound connection to our family’s operation. As I eagerly tagged along with my grand-daddy and dad, soaking in the time we spent traveling and looking at cattle, I developed an inborn love for the Shorthorn breed.
“It was through showing cattle and competing at junior nationals that I found a platform to cherish my passion and hone my skills. As a shy and reserved little girl, the prospect of interacting with my peers initially filled me with nervousness. However, through showing shorthorns and competing in all the contest at our state shows and junior nationals, provided me with the confidence and reassurance I needed to step out of my comfort zone and embrace new experiences.”
Applications for the 2025 Mike Dugdale Memorial Scholarship are due May 1, 2025, to the ASA office located in Kansas City, Missouri. For more information, contact Shelby Diehm or visit www.shorthorn. org.
Behrens also received the Outstanding Junior Board Member Scholarship.
The $500 Outstanding Junior Board Member Scholarship was created to honor a Junior Board Member who has gone above and beyond in their service to the American Junior Shorthorn Association during their time in office. This recipient has been selected by the members themselves in acknowledgement of their hard work and determination.
The American Shorthorn Association provides quality service and support to its members by promoting the value of Shorthorn Cattle in all aspects of the beef industry, while maintaining the integrity of the herd book and performance database. The American Junior Shorthorn Association promotes personal development through youth activities and educational events, while being dedicated to the betterment of its members. To learn more, contact the ASA office or visit www.shorthorn.org or www.juniorshorthorn. com.