Emily Montgomery, a senior at North Callaway R-I High School, has been selected as one of the 2015 Missouri Pork Association Youth Pork Ambassadors. Her selection was announced during the 2015 Missouri Pork Expo on February 10 in Columbia.

Emily is the daughter of Mark and Sandy Montgomery of Auxvasse. She has worked for Curtis Show Pigs out of Centralia, where she was in charge of sanitation and young swine interaction. She is active in showing hogs at the local and state levels.

At school, Emily is the varsity volleyball captain, vice president of her FFA chapter and is a member of the National Honor Society. She is president of the 4-H Country Bumpkins group, secretary of Audrain County 4-H Council and president of the Audrain County Junior Leaders.

After graduation, Emily will attend Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, Illinois with plans to transfer to a university and major in animal science. She hopes to work in the swine nutrition field and establish her own show pig business.

Throughout the next year, Emily will participate in various events in the pork industry. At the end of the program, she will receive a $1,000 scholarship, payable to a technical school, community college or four-year university.

Qualified applicants must be involved in the pork industry or the son/daughter of a parent or guardian involved in the pork industry, and between their senior year of high school and sophomore year of college as of January 1, 2015.

The Missouri Youth Pork Ambassador program combines a scholarship opportunity with the chance to actively participate in Missouri’s pork industry. It provides an opportunity for youth to develop strong relationships with both pork producers and allied industry members, while improving communication and leadership skills.

The Missouri Pork Association represents the state’s pork producers in the areas of promotion, research, education and legislation. For more information about this or any other programs of the Missouri Pork Association, go to www.mopork.com, or call the Missouri Pork Association office at (573) 445-8375.