2021 Food Safety Net Services Scholarship Recipients

Mountain West Meat Judging Contest

Sierra Graham- Fort Scott Community College

My name is Sierra Graham and I am 18 years old. I am originally from Lake City, Florida and currently attend Fort Scott Community College as a Freshman on the Meats Judging team. Meat judging has opened up many opportunities for me coming out of high school. One of my mentors from the University of Florida, Kyle Mendes, helped drive my passion for meat science and convinced me to continue judging at the collegiate level. Being on a collegiate judging team has taught me to be humble, responsible, and dedicated at all times. I have decided to continue my judging experience at a major university while pursuing a nursing degree. Being a recipient of this scholarship will allow me to further my education and expand my knowledge in this amazing industry!

Will Boyd- West Texas A&M University

Will Boyd is a junior Animal Science major at West Texas A&M University. After graduating from Joshua High School, Will attended Clarendon College and competed on the livestock judging team. He began working in the meat lab when he started at WTAMU this summer and decided to try meat judging. He has overcome the challenges of a newcomer to the meat industry and has begun to warm up to the 4am practices, hours upon hours spent in the cooler, and the hand cramps from writing numerous sets of reasons. He has learned so many priceless life lessons that can translate to a future career in the industry. Meat judging has allowed Will to continue to develop his leadership and decision making skills, while allowing him to learn more about the meat industry. He really enjoys the connections and friendships that he has made by being a part of the WTAMU meat judging team. He knows the lessons learned while being in the WT meat science program are something that he can take way beyond the last time he puts his hard hat on and marks that final card. Will’s future plans are to complete his degree in Animal Science while judging on the livestock judging team next year, then pursue a Master’s degree in Animal Science or a career in meat industry. He feels incredibly blessed and thankful for this Food Safety Net Services scholarship, as it will help to support his education and allow him to continue in his future endeavors in this amazing industry.

Lonestar Classic Meat Judging Contest

Cord Dodson- Fort Scott Community College

My name is Cord Dodson From Liberty Kansas. I am attending Fort Scott Community college to attain my associates in science. Meat judging has been a great experience for not only me but my whole team. Yes, winning has been nice, but is that the best thing to come from meat judging? No, for me it is the hard work and determination we put in before contests in order to do well. This is what my team will take with them in their every day in life. If I can take this mentality, we have the work ethic that will push me to the top. Yes, we have a lot of fun and have been a competitive team but that is not what it is all about to me.  My career goal is to be able to use my meat judging skills in the real world attaining a bachelors in meat science. I have been very involved with meat judging all through 4-H, FFA, and now at a collegiate level. This scholarship would open new opportunities to me to further my education. So that I am at full potential when I reach the work force. I will use this scholarship to take extra classes relating to meat science, or food science to broaden my spectrum of the industry. In the end, this scholarship would help with not only my current goals but helping me succeed in my future career.

Cassie Bendele- Texas Tech University

Hello! My name is Cassie Bendele and I am a junior Animal Science-Meat Science major at Texas Tech University and I am from Hondo, Texas. I have been impacted by meat judging in more ways than I can count. However, I would have to say the life lessons it has taught me has been more impactful than the actual meat judging skills I have learned. Meat judging has taught me time management skills, how to handle immense pressure, and has connected me to newfound friendships. I plan to incorporate these lessons towards a future career in the meat science field, and hopefully end up running a packing plant one day. The Food Safety Net Services scholarship, which I am very thankful for, will help me attain my goals by helping me pay for my education at Texas Tech University, and my future graduate school plans. I am so grateful for this scholarship, and look forward to one day being able to help the next generation of meat scientists as well. 

HLSR Meat Judging Contest

Megan Miller- Clarendon College

My name is Megan Miller, I’m from Silver City, New Mexico and I attend Clarendon College. I judged livestock throughout high school, and I’ve shown steers since I was 9 years old. Originally, I came to Clarendon on a livestock judging scholarship to judge for Johnny Treichel and Ty Gillespie. As December rolled around, Tate Corliss came and talked to the livestock judgers and offered some spots up that needed to be filled on the meats team so, I decided I would try and judge both meats and livestock. The more I got to know the rest my coaches Kara Belt, Adrian Sinclair, and Keith Shoemake and learn the contest, I realized my passion was in the meats industry. We don’t have a very big team this year, so everyone really had to pull their weight, work their hardest, and try their best at every contest. The first two contests we didn’t perform like we should have, and it showed in our scores. This really motivated us to do well, not only in practice but, during the contest as well. Winning the Houston Stock Show & Rodeo Meats Judging Contest was a huge accomplishment and honor for our team! We plan to keep this momentum going into the fall semester practices and contests. I am currently getting my associate degree in Ag business while attending Clarendon, and this scholarship will help me build and further my education at West Texas A&M in Canyon. While going to school there I plan on judging meats on their team, as well as getting a bachelor’s degree in Ag business with an associate in accounting.

Emily Glenn- Kansas State University

Emily Glenn, from Scott City, KS, is currently a junior at Kansas State University majoring in agriculture education. Recently she transferred from Garden City Community College, where she also enjoyed competing on the meat judging team. Emily has grown up on a 4^th generation family farm in Southwest Kansas her entire life; therefore, she has always been directly involved in agriculture. With her combined passions of agriculture and leadership through her involvement in 4-H and FFA, she hopes to one day be an agriculture teacher or 4-H/extension agent. Meat judging has allowed Emily to gain confidence in her decision-making skills, connect with lifelong friends and industry leaders, and continuously learn about an everlasting industry. In addition, meats judging will allow Emily to expose her future students to the meat science sector of the agriculture industry. Not only will the FSNS scholarship financially assist Emily in her education, but also will allow her to continue to work a job that will enhance her future career rather than seeking a job based off of earnings. Emily’s meat judging experience at Kansas State University has been a highlight of her short time as the university. Emily would like to thank Food Safety Net Services for supporting AMSA as her experiences have contributed to her overall character and knowledge.