This July at the National Junior Angus Show, I will officially conclude my involvement with the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA), along with many other juniors. While this event will serve as a bittersweet milestone, I know the Angus breed offers endless opportunities to stay connected and continue growing.

As young leaders in society, we are often involved in numerous organizations and activities, striving to make the most of every opportunity we encounter. We spend our junior career working to be the best version of ourselves, only for it to end as we transition into adulthood. The NJAA is built around a common theme — Angus cattle — but it provides a variety of avenues to learn, gain leadership skills and create long-lasting relationships. Letting go of those opportunities can be difficult and even intimidating at times. But I find comfort in knowing the NJAA as a junior association is just the beginning of our involvement with the breed. 

This organization set the stage for your future involvement with the breed. Now it is up to you to continue to find ways to be involved. Despite aging out from the association, that doesn’t mean you must be cut off from the work you have done through the years. Remaining consistent in what you learned and continuing to practice this helps you continue to be connected and involved. 

The foundation the NJAA paves the way for future involvement. It’s up to each of us to continue seeking out opportunities to stay engaged. Aging out of the association doesn’t mean severing ties with the work we’ve put in. The relationships we’ve built will continue into our future and strengthen. By remaining consistent in what we’ve learned and continuing to practice those skills, we can stay connected and involved. 

There are countless ways to remain active in the Angus community as adults, whether through utilizing American Angus Association programs in our own herds or engaging with state associations and auxiliaries. As former junior members, we have a unique understanding of the challenges and opportunities juniors face, which allows us to offer valuable perspectives at both the state and national level.

One of the most impactful ways to remain involved in the NJAA after aging out is through mentorship. As someone who has been part of the organization, you have firsthand knowledge of what it takes to succeed, and the lessons learned from participating in shows, conferences and leadership activities. By offering mentorship to younger NJAA members, you can help guide them as they navigate their own experiences. Whether it’s serving as a state advisor or simply being a role model in their life, mentorship allows you to stay deeply connected to the mission of the NJAA.