The Heifer program is on again this year.  If you are a junior that would like to expand your herd, or you would like a heifer of your own, we will be giving you that chance the 1st of May!  Information and application are obtainable on the AHCA website beginning May 1st or through the AHCA office.  All AHCA Juniors are eligible for this program and should check it out if it sounds of interest to you.  If you are the chosen applicant the animal is yours 100% with a few rules to follow.  It’s a great opportunity and last years recipient was Hannah Hogan from Wyoming.

The Allegiance Award application will also be available online beginning the 1st of May.  This is an award presented to an outstanding youth in the association. Anyone can submit your name, all they need to do is fill out the application details and submit it.
 
The AHCAj committee is also working on a new handbook that will be available to all AHCA juniors. This will be full of information on cattle. We are hoping to have it done by the end of the year, and will be sending it to all AHCA juniors.

This year I would like to make a change to the Junior Challenge that we have been doing yearly. Normally I give you a list of items that you can do to get points. This year I would like you to keep track of everything you do and write a diary of events and experiences that you have had throughout the year. It is up to you to decide how much or how little you want to put into this diary. For kids under 8 years old it can be a picture book with mom or dads help. These events and experiences can be school related, sports, farm, fair, shows, community service, new jobs, new things you’ve done, vacations, whatever you feel is important write it in a notebook. Pictures are great things to add in there also. Your diaries will be due at the Annual NCHCA meeting in Feb. 2012. It must be at least 20 pages long. In the past we have done a point system. This year we will do it on a participation system. The jackpot will be $300.00, and that will be divided amongst however many juniors participate.  (If 5 participate you each would get $60.00)  I encourage all of you to take the challenge and write it down!  Good luck and I will be looking forward to seeing you in the near future.

We are looking for information for the AHCAj webpage also. If you have pictures or suggestions, email them to me and I will get it on the webpage. tamarlinnorth@aol.com 
Denver National Show had 18 participants this year from across the country. They did fantastic. It is great to see so many kids involved with Highland cattle and having such a great time doing it. Congratulations to all the NCHCA juniors who participated!