Jana Owen

Summer 2023 has definitely been one to remember. I have gained incredible knowledge on preparing for a cattle show, creating and sorting classes, coordinating check-in, writing reports, and organizing DNA samples. I greatly appreciate every skill and experience I gained throughout the past two months. Thank you to the American Shorthorn Association for providing me the opportunity to work as the Registrations Intern. Peace and go vols!

Ashley Osborne

Looking back at all the opportunities this summer, I’m grateful to have spent my summer with this fantastic association. This summer, I gained knowledge by working for a breed association, youth development, press releases, photography, and social media management. I have made a connection that will last a lifetime, and I hope to open more doors down the road. Not only have I professionally grown, but I have also personally grown a lot through this internship. I hope everyone takes an opportunity that comes their way because you never know where that will lead you. Thank you to all American Shorthorn Association staff for all the memories and knowledge you have given me over the past two months. Thank you to the Shorthorn breeders for being welcoming and a family! Go Cats!

Kaylee McInvale

Thank you for the opportunities that you have presented me! I am so thankful to have served as the Youth Activities Intern. It has been a great and memorable experience. It was a pleasure to meet each of you with whom I interacted at Junior Nationals! I was blown away by the passion, determination that you all shared and loved seeing the teamwork that your Shorthorn Family showcased! Thank you to the American Shorthorn Association for hiring me and providing this opportunity to experience the behind-the-scenes details that go into pulling off an amazing junior national!

Today in the office, we decided we would put together a potluck lunch. The interns selected a recipe from the 2023 Junior Nationals Beef Cook-Off Contest, and everyone else brought a side dish to enjoy along with it! Ashley, Jana, and Kaylee supplied the taco toppings and the meat. Shebly cooked Mexican rice, Wade made crockpot queso, Cassie made corn dip, and Montie topped it off with “homemade” dessert.

This was presented by the state of Maryland and is called Crockpot Beef Tacos; the recipe is provided below!

Ingredients:

• 2.5-3 Pound beef chuck roast
• ½ Teaspoon Kosher salt
• ½ Teaspoon black pepper
• 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
• ½ Teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ Teaspoon cumin
• Onion powder
• Shredded Mexican Cheese
• 16 ounces jarred chunky salsa
• Flour tortilla (street sized) for serving
• Taco toppings, for serving

Directions:

• Step 1:
  • Season the chuck roast on both sides with salt and pepper
• Step 2:
  • On the stove, heat a large skillet to medium-high heat. Once hot, add the vegetable oil. Sear the roast for about 3-5 minutes per side or until deep golden brown
• Step 3:
  • Place the seared roast into a 6-8 quart crockpot. Sprinkle the roast with garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin on top. Pour the salsa directly on top of the roast. Cook on low heat for 7-8 hours.
• Step 4:
  • Remove the roast from the crockpot. Shred the meat, discarding any fatty bits. Place the shredded meat back into the crockpot and stir it with the accumulated juices. Taste and add more salt if necessary. Before serving, warm the tortillas on black stone. Serve immediately on warmed tortillas, along with your favorite taco toppings.

It was a great day for us at the ASA office to spend time together and enjoy good food and conversation. We loved these Crockpot Beef Tacos, and we are excited to see what everyone comes up with for next year’s Beef Cook-Off Contest with the new cut of meat!

Ashley

What is one thing on your bucket list?

Travel to all 50 states

What is your best childhood memory?

My best childhood memory was riding horses with my dad on the weekends.

Where is the coolest place you have traveled?

The coolest place that I have traveled to is Colorado. I have been twice, once in the summer and then in the winter. In the summer, we rode horseback in the Rocky Mountains, then in the winter, we went skiing and snowmobiling up the continental divide.

What is the strangest food combination you enjoy?

Mashed potatoes and cottage cheese. It sounds so weird, but something about it was that it was my go-to when I was a kid.

What is your favorite winter activity?

My favorite winter activity is traveling to snowy places in the mountains and enjoying the beauty. I also really enjoy skiing.

What is one fact that few people know about you?

One fact few people don’t know about me is that I used to trap shoot on a competitive traveling team.

Kaylee

What is on your bucket list?

I’m not super adventurous, so my bucket list includes skydiving and hot air balloon rides. I want to go snorkeling and deep-sea scuba diving. I want to visit all 50 states. I have traveled to a good handful.

What is your best childhood memory?

I don’t know if it’s genuinely classified as a childhood memory, but when I was crowned the 2020-2021 National Hereford Queen, this easily is my top-ranked memory.

Where is the coolest place you have traveled?

I have only stayed in the United States, so the coolest place I have traveled is when my mom and I drove to Pennsylvania for Keystone International.

What is the strangest food combination you enjoy?

Watermelon and Salt, or Apples with salt and cinnamon.

What is your favorite winter activity?

Sitting by the fireplace, drinking hot cocoa, and watching movies

What is one fact that few people know about you?

I am kind-hearted and quiet unless I start talking about my passions so that I will talk your ear off.

Jana

What is on your bucket list?

I want to visit Greece to see the ancient buildings and beautiful scenery!

What is your best childhood memory?

As a child, I enjoyed dressing up and making fashion shows for my family. I had a variety of princess dresses, fairy outfits, and Hannah Montana wigs that I loved to rock!

Where is the coolest place you have traveled?

The Grand Canyon is a breathtaking area. We ventured there a few years ago while on a livestock judging trip, and it was stunning! God’s creation truly is beautiful.

What is the strangest food combination you enjoy?

A restaurant in my hometown used to serve sweet potato fries with honey, and I loved it! You should try it sometime!

What is your favorite winter activity?

Driving around and looking at Christmas lights while listening to Christmas Music always brings me so much joy!

What is one fact that few people know about you?

I have a YouTube channel! I only have a few vlogs from various 4-H or FFA trips, but I am currently working on posting vlogs from our collegiate livestock judging trips throughout the year. Documenting these memories through videos is fun, so I can always look back on them.

As our first week back from Des Monies and all the Shorthorn Kingdom magic, we wanted to share some of our favorite Disney questions and our recap on the best week!

Ashley

What is your favorite Disney movie?

The Fox and the Hound

What is your favorite Disney song?

Hakuna Matata

What is your favorite Disney quote?

“The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it.” -The Lion King

Who is your favorite Disney character?

Moana

What are your favorite movie snacks?

Extra buttery popcorn, Peanut M&Ms, and a cold Coke!

Who would you be if you could be any Disney character in any movie? Why?

If I could be a Disney character, it would be Merida from Brave because she carved out her path in life and doesn’t need a man to be a queen.

Recap of Junior Nationals:

It was an honor to be selected as the 2023 Commutations Intern and to be able to capture a lifetime of memories and work within this Association. The 2023 National Junior Show was an experience of a lifetime. After attending many Santa Gertrudis Junior Nationals, this was the first of a different breed, and wow, Shorthorn, you took my breath away. This was nothing like I was expecting; from the staff, youth, and cattle, it was a fantastic week. I learned much this week and enjoyed making the Shorthorn Kingdom come to life. When I saw the Shorthorn Kingdom name, I was unsure how that connected, but it truly was a community from all 28 states coming together to support the youth in the Shorthorn Association. The passion that everyone had for every junior was a tear-jerker. Seeing all the hard work, support, and smiles daily was unbelievable. The Shorthorn Breed has outdone itself with the National Junior Show and should be proud of the fantastic opportunity they give to every junior. However, there were times of difficulty and rushing and running. Many great moments put a smile on my face. One of the most significant parts was being included in the Shorthorn Family, meeting with different families and juniors. They, indeed, are a family! I will never forget the time I spent in Des Moines with the American Shorthorn Association!

Jana

What is your favorite Disney movie?

I have a lot of favorites, but Aladdin (the live-action version) has to be at the top of the list! Will Smith (the genie) is hilarious, and the movie is so beautiful! My favorite scene is when the genie, Aladdin, and their huge entourage parade into the city!

What is your favorite Disney song?

“He Could Be the One” – Hannah Montana 

What is your favorite Disney quote?

“Sometimes you gotta get through your fear to see the beauty on the other side.” – The Good Dinosaur

Who is your favorite Disney character?

Woody from Toy Story is a classic. He is funny, courageous, and determined to make Andy the happiest kid ever while leading all of the toys through their unpredictable adventures.

What are your favorite movie snacks?

Nerds Gummy Clusters are unmatched. Honorable mention to Cookie Dough Bites.

Who would you be if you could be any Disney character in any movie? Why?

I would be Olaf from Frozen. He is an outgoing character who loves warm hugs and all things summer. He provides comedic relief along his journeys with Elsa and Anna. He finds joy in the little things in life. He has a sincere heart for others and wants to help his friends.

Recap of Junior Nationals:

What an exciting week we had at the 2023 National Junior Shorthorn Show & Youth Conference! Last week was a thrilling experience getting to see all the behind-the-scenes work that goes into making such a successful show! As the Registration intern, my primary responsibilities for the week were coordinating and overseeing the cattle check-in process. I also recorded placings during the shows and posted results on Facebook. Of course, I helped out everywhere in between, whether setting up for the next contest or show, “Ubering” junior board members to their next event, putting together exhibitor packets, or sweeping tiny confetti pieces off the arena’s dirt floor. One of my favorite parts of the week was watching the states proudly parade in for the opening ceremonies! I also enjoyed watching the Old Pro Showmanship and am glad I watched each show! As I reflect on the week, I am so appreciative for such a unique experience and for each exhibitor that I connected with along the way! So long, Junior Nationals! Hopefully, I can sail with you all to Maryland next year!

Kaylee

What is your favorite Disney movie?

Chicken Little

What is your favorite Disney song?

The Bare Necessities

What is your favorite Disney quote?

“Some people are worth melting for… just maybe not right this second”- Olaf, Frozen.

Who is your favorite Disney character?

Piglet

What are your favorite movie snacks?

Popcorn, M&M’s, Milk Duds, Red Licorice, and a nice Dr. Pepper.

Who would you be if you could be any Disney character in any movie? Why?

Edna Mode from Incredibles. Because she is this strong independent woman that gets to work with superheroes and create outfits for them. She is most coveted, and how she keeps everyone’s identities a secret. Plus, her house and the entire property are super high-tech.

Recap of Junior Nationals:

Wow! What a fantastic week to have been through. I grew up attending junior nationals of all breeds, but this was my first for the Shorthorn breed. I knew a little about what went into putting on a show however have never been the one to help do it. There was a lot to get done before being in Des Moines. The 2023 National Junior Shorthorn Show and Youth Conference were one for the books, with breaking numbers of entries and kids entered.  While my week was a chaotic blur, I enjoyed almost every minute. Serving as the Youth Activities Intern, I opened my eyes to what goes into planning and preparing a National Junior Show. My week in Des Moines showcased the Shorthorn Breed, Industry, and Family. It was so much fun seeing all the activities put on for the juniors, the contests that lots participated in, and the enjoyment across the faces of the kids when their placings were announced at Friday night’s banquet. I want to thank the candidates for constantly giving food and Oklahoma for always bringing their extra food into the office, knowing I was usually there. I want to thank the American Shorthorn Association for hiring me and giving me this fantastic, eye-opening opportunity!