Brattleboro, Vt…Douglas Boop of Millmont, Pa., is the 2016 recipient of the Holstein Association USA’s Overall Judi Collinsworth Outstanding Junior Exhibitor Award. The Collinsworth Award is presented annually in honor of the Association’s former Executive Director of Member and Industry Services, Judi Collinsworth.
The award recognizes youths’ work and involvement with Holstein cattle and dairy activities. Recipients are selected based on sportsmanship, herdsmanship, participation in Holstein and other agricultural activities, as well as an essay describing what they have learned while exhibiting Registered Holstein® cattle. The winners at each of the National Junior Holstein Shows receive a $250 cash prize and the overall winner receives an additional $500 scholarship.
Boop, 21, is a Junior at Pennsylvania State University, majoring in animal science, business option. He is very active as a Dairy Science Club member serving on the Nittany Lion Fall Classic Selection Committee as well as the Heifer Crew. After finishing his education at Penn State, Doug is planning to return to his family dairy, Heart and Soul, and continue developing their show program.
“It is an honor to receive this award and be recognized by Holstein Association USA for the hard work that has gone into competing in shows and other Holstein activities throughout my Junior Holstein career,” Boop said.
Boop has participated widely in his state and county Holstein organizations. He has had success in and out of the showring, receiving a total of 16 Junior All-American nominations, two of which were honored as Reserve Junior All-American. At the 2016 World Dairy Expo, he was recently awarded the Merle Howard Award.
“Showing Registered Holsteins has shaped me into the person that I am today,” Boop explained. “The opportunities and challenges that have been presented to me both in the showring and in preparing to get there have taught me sportsmanship, patience, and the type of example that should be set for youth to follow, while allowing me to make many connections that will be invaluable as I continue in the industry.”
As a member of the Pennsylvania Junior Holstein Association, he was a 2012 Young Distinguished Junior Member finalist and has participated in Dairy Bowl on local, state and national levels, as well as Dairy Jeopardy and Dairy Judging.
One Judi Collinsworth Award recipient is selected at each of the four National Junior Holstein Shows. Boop won the award at Premier National Junior Holstein Show. Other winners from 2016 National Junior Holstein Shows are Alyson Philips, Texas, Southern Spring National Junior Holstein Show; and Carley Krull, Wisconsin, Grand National Junior Holstein Show.