Outstanding in their field

Wisconsin Dells — Outstanding //adjective//: exceptionally good.

Each year at the Junior Holstein Convention, two individuals are selected as outstanding. They have excelled in their Holstein programs and have become an asset to the association and the industry. These individuals are selected as the Outstanding Holstein Boy and Girl. This is the most prestigious honor that is bestowed upon a junior at convention.

Logan Voigts of Lafayette County was named the 2017 Wisconsin Outstanding Holstein Boy. Voigts is currently a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison studying Dairy Science with a certificate in Agricultural Business Management. On campus he is involved in Badger Dairy Club, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Student Association, Alpha Gamma Rho-Iota and is a student representative for Wisconsin Agricultural and Life Sciences Alumni Association (WALSAA). Off campus, he is an active member on his family’s farm, Voigtscrest Registered Holsteins.

Voigts has proven his value to the Wisconsin Holstein Association, as he has served as a Junior Activities Committee (JAC) member for the past two years, most recently serving as Vice Chair. Through this role, he has worked alongside his teammates to plan and coordinate fun activities for youth as well as planning the contests that take place at junior convention.

Voigts says that this role has been one of the most valuable experiences in the association, accrediting the position for allowing him to develop skills such as public speaking, planning events and much more. He says this role, “allowed me to meet and connect with so many junior members as well as adult members.”

Just as so many other young members, Voigts also looked towards the JACs and older members when he first came to convention as a junior 11 years ago. Year after year, Voigts saw older members be named with this honor and he hoped to be like them someday. So to be honored and named the Outstanding Holstein Boy, he claims, “Is undoubtedly the biggest of my life so far.”

Moving forward, Voigts is looking forward to what the future has to hold for him as he transitions to adult membership. He says he hopes to attend and be active in the adult association, attending the adult convention each winter. Additionally, he sees himself giving back to his county association by becoming a coach for dairy bowl or dairy judging and becoming a leader or advisor at some point.

As a college student, there are so many opportunities that are available to young adults every day. Voigts accredits the quality of cattle and the people in the industry keep him coming back for more.

Adding, “Much of what I have built myself on has come as a result of an activity I was exposed to through having Registered Holstein cattle in my life.” Voigts says he hopes to have a career in the Registered Holstein industry working with the best cattle and people in the business.

Saturday night of Junior Holstein Convention, Kristen Broege of Rock County was named the 2017 Wisconsin Outstanding Holstein Girl. Broege is a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in Dairy Science and hopes to have a career in dairy business and communication. On campus, she is involved in Badger Dairy Club, Association of Women in Agriculture, National Agri-Marketing Association and the Collegiate Dairy Judging Team.

Just like Voigts, Broege has been a vital part of the junior association, serving as a JAC and most recently, serving as this year’s Chairman, taking on a higher leadership role and responsibility of the group. She says that this role has been the most rewarding and valuable time spent, allowing her to grow and develop as a leader. “Being a member of the JAC has taught me so much and was an unforgettable experience.”

Similarly to Voigts, Broege is a long time member of the Wisconsin Junior Holstein Association, attending convention to compete in the various contests held. As a young girl, she saw the older members who were recognized and achieving great things. It was these experiences at convention and beyond in the association that kept her coming back. Being named the Outstanding Holstein Girl is such an honor for Broege, saying that, “it comes from an Association that has undoubtedly made me who I am today.”

Broege has a long list of accomplishments in and out of the association, and truly has become a role model for younger members. As she will soon graduate from the association, she looks to stay active as she transitions into the adult association. Broege adds that she hopes to pay it forward and serve her county association as potentially a coach or Junior Advisor.

Both Voigts and Broege exemplify the qualities of outstanding, in every aspect of the word. They are exceptional leaders in their local communities, lead their colleagues in their academic pursuits and have a driving desire to better the youth involved in the Registered Holstein industry.

Young adults like Voigts and Broege are evidence that there are some talented and driven youth who are determined to make the industry better each and every day, and they accredit their success to their continued involvement in the Wisconsin Junior Holstein Association.

If you’d like to know more about how you can get involved in your local association, you can find more information at www.wisholsteins.com.