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The Missouri Youth Pork Ambassador Program is designed
to provide youth with an opportunity to become actively involved in the
pork industry. The program will help youth develop strong relationships
with both pork producers and allied industry members. It is an
opportunity to learn about pork production and the industry and to
improve communication and leadership skills.
The main goal of the Youth Pork Ambassador is to
promote the Missouri Pork Association and the pork industry at various
events. The successful candidate will gain valuable experience and
develop relationships that will last a lifetime. The Ambassador will
also receive a $1,000 scholarship, payable to a technical school,
community college or 4-year University at the end of the program.
This year, the Missouri Pork Association
selected three youth for the program: Acacia Hays from Monroe City,
Stephanie Morgan from Lamar, and Hannah Sandidge from Marshall.
From left to right: Stephanie Morgan, Lamar;
Hannah Sandidge, Marhsall; Acacia Hays, Monroe City; and Bill Kessler,
MPA Chairman from Mexico.
Acacia Hays
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Acacia Hays, a high school
senior from Monroe City, has been selected as one of the
2009 Missouri Pork Association Youth Pork Ambassadors.
Her selection was announced during the 2009 Missouri
Pork Expo on February 11 in Columbia.
Hays has an extensive
knowledge of the pork industry. She has worked as
farrowing technician at Two Mile Pork for two summers
for her father, Scott Hays. She also attended the
University of Missouri’s Youth Pork Institute.
Hays is involved in many
other activities in addition to swine. She has been
President, Reporter, and Assistant Sentinel of her FFA
chapter. She has been Treasurer of National Honor
Society and been involved in Science Club, Spanish Club,
Future Business Leaders of America, and the track team
at her high school. She has also attended the Washington
Leadership Conference, Hugh O’Brian Leadership
Conference, Catholic Heart Work Camp, Washington D.C.
Pro-Life March, and Make a Difference Day.
After graduation, Hays plans
to attend college to better understand the swine
industry and business management, and hopes to return to
Monroe City to help the town grow economically.
Hays is the daughter of
Scott and Riss Hays from Monroe City. |
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Stephanie Morgan
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Stephanie Morgan, a high
school senior from Lamar, has been selected as one of
the 2009 Missouri Pork Association Youth Pork
Ambassadors. Her selection was announced during the 2009
Missouri Pork Expo on February 11 in Columbia.
Morgan grew up on a
diversified livestock and row crop family farm. She has
participated in various farm tasks throughout the years,
including helping take care of newborn pigs; preparing
ground to plant corn; loading market hogs; assisting in
building maintenance, repairs and construction; and
participating in marketing discussions for her family’s
pork operation. She has also attended the University of
Missouri’s Youth Pork Institute.
Morgan has won numerous
awards through her local FFA chapter, most notably:
State Winner of the FFA Pork Speaking Contest, FFA Star
Greenhand and FFA Star Farmer. She has also been the
recipient of the 4-H Key Award, the First Place Missouri
Community Betterment Youth Leadership State Award, and
was the Electric Cooperatives National Essay Winner. She
has also been involved on her high school basketball and
softball teams for four years.
After graduation, Morgan
plans to attend Missouri State University and is
majoring in agriculture communications. She wants to be
able to educate consumers about agriculture with a
career in agricultural journalism.
Stephanie is the daughter of
Rick and Melinda Morgan from Lamar. |
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Hannah Sandidge
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Hannah Sandidge, a high school
senior from Marshall, has been selected as one of the 2009
Missouri Pork Association Youth Pork Ambassadors. Her
selection was announced during the 2009 Missouri Pork Expo
on February 11 in Columbia.
Sandidge has an extensive
knowledge of the pork industry. She has worked for Ham Hill
Farms, Inc., where she was responsible for moving hogs from
pens to trucks, moving weaned pigs from gestation barns to
nurseries, checking electric meters on transformers, and
keeping records. She also participated in the University of
Missouri’s Youth Pork Institute in 2008, and placed second
in the state at the FFA Pork Speaking Contest.
Hannah is involved in many other
activities in addition to swine. She has served as
President, Vice President, Junior President, Recruitment
Committee Chair, and Student Leadership Committee Co-Chair
of her local FFA chapter. Sandidge has also participated in
National Honor Society, Color Guard, Bizy Beavers 4-H Club,
and D.E.C.A., and the Bird Cage, Marshall High School’s
spirit club.
After graduation, Sandidge plans
to attend the University of Missouri to earn a degree in
Agribusiness Management, and wants to return to Ham Hill
Farms as a financial manager.
Sandidge is the daughter of
Brent and Connie Sandidge from Marshall. |
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Three other youths were
selected to receive $250 scholarships
Carah Hart - Carrollton
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here to read on...
Tyler Ray - Hallsville
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here to read on...
Brooke Todd - Helena
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here to read on...
Applications for the 2010 Missouri Youth Pork Ambassador
Program will be accepted this fall.
For more information, contact:
Diane Slater
Director of Communications
Missouri Pork Association
6235 W. Cunningham Drive
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 445-8375
diane@mopork.com
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