Most families who show livestock competitively know it takes a village. Whether it be a parent taking care of the cattle while juniors participate in opening ceremonies at the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) or an advisor coaching a member before a contest, the opportunities for National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) members wouldn’t be possible without the help of parents and volunteers.  

The advisors of the Wisconsin Junior Angus Association (WJAA) and co-chairs for the 2024 NJAS in Madison, Wis., Mia Bayer and Becky Henderson, know what it’s like to volunteer for the kids first-hand. 

“We’ve been involved, both Becky and I for many, many years,” Bayer says. “I have pretty much been an advisor for probably over 20 years to the Wisconsin Junior Angus Association.” 

About five years into the position, Henderson joined the team.

“It’s so terrific to see in the 15 years that I’ve been an advisor, to see kids being 10, 11 and 12-years-old to grow into these incredibly successful professionals,” Henderson says. 

Experiencing a member’s growth and watching them blossom into a dedicated, young adult is a shared reward for the pair. Bayer says though her time with the organization could’ve ended years ago, it is gratifying to see members she has known since they were little find their place in the NJAA. 

“It’s really cool for me to see these new families come in as we’re helping with check-in,” she explains. “It’s cool when you see pickup trucks full with five and six people, and there’s a baby seat in the middle and there’s an eight-year-old and a dog and a mom and a dad because that family is here for the very best week of their life.”

Seeing new faces within the Angus family is something past Maryland Junior Angus Association advisor and past American Angus Auxiliary president, Pam Velisek, finds comforting, but her true reason for volunteering stems from paying it forward. 

My kids got so much out of the junior Angus program, I think it’s really important that you give back to what’s given you so much. There’s so much to be had with this program, whether it’s scholarships or learning public speaking and making friends — I think that you got to take that time and give back to something that’s given you so much.” — Pam Velisek

Through leading by example, she hopes to encourage members to give back to the program in any capacity. 

“I hope that [junior members] see that there’s so many adults, parents who come back and help,” she says. “I don’t really think that you think about giving back right away, but I think that if it’s instilled in you, that you do come back around when your life changes and gives you a little bit more time to do that.” 

Volunteering doesn’t come with stipulations or rules. Giving time to help in any capacity can move mountains for junior members.

Jump in

“Don’t worry that you don’t know what you’re doing, don’t worry that you’re not prepared,” Henderson says. “There is someone who’s been doing this for 15 or 20 years that will take you under their wing and they will help you get started — they will be so thankful for the help.” 

Bayer says in an industry that can be intimidating at times, it can be a challenge for adults to step-up because they’re insecure about their abilities, but she encourages them to release that fear. 

“Just jump in and get involved, and I think in the end you’ll find out that it’s pretty rewarding and worth all your time,” Bayer says. “You’ll find out that pretty soon you’ve been doing it for 20 plus years, and you wonder where those years went.”

The long-time advisors express their group of volunteers from Wisconsin were willing to do whatever they needed and didn’t have to be asked twice to make the Showdown in Madtown a success. 

“We have a core group of people that we literally could have said to them, ‘Could you please go to the moon and bring us back four rocks?’ And they would be like, ‘I don’t know how I’m going to do that, but I’ll figure it out,’” Henderson says with a chuckle. 

Thankfully, leaving the planet isn’t necessary to make a difference; volunteering for the youth in any shape or form can be out-of-this world. Simple acts like offering to help with contests, organizing materials for state displays or rounding up juniors for state line-ups are manageable ways to become more involved as a volunteer at the NJAS. 

Asking state advisors, ‘What can I do to help?’ or ‘How can I be useful?’ is an easy way to get started giving back to the NJAA. Velisek encourages past juniors and parents to look at the bigger picture.

“Advice I have for juniors is to remember how much you got out of this. I think it would be hard pressed to ask any junior and they say, ‘I didn’t get anything out of it,’” she notes. “Once you age out and you really think about it, everyone gets something out of it.”

Even if it isn’t right after completing junior membership or contributing in the largest capacity possible, it takes a village of volunteers. So jump in.