Osage Beach, Mo.,—Naomi Saucedo-Gonzalez, a freshman at the Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City, has been selected as one of the 2023 Missouri Pork Association Youth Pork Ambassadors. Her selection was announced during the 2023 Missouri Pork Expo on February 21 in Osage Beach.

 

Naomi is the daughter of Arianna Gonzalez, and Yair & Elizabeth Saucedo from Higginsville. She currently works for Pettersson Pet as a pet care technician. Naomi also works for Rian Livestock as a herd technician and has helped around the farm for years before.

 

She was active in extra-curricular activities while in Lafayette County C-1 High School, and was a member of the National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Student Council. Naomi was Academic All-Conference all four years in volleyball, track and basketball, and was also on the A Honor Roll.

 

Naomi plans to finish her prerequisites at Metropolitan Community College, then transfer to the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. She hopes to then pursue a career as a large animal veterinarian.

 

Throughout the next year, Naomi 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, 2023.

 

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 public policy. 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.

 

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