AMERICAN ANGUS AUXILIARY Crystal, Grote, Spader & Black Kettle Awards
The American Angus Auxiliary strongly believes in the importance of the educational contests at the National Junior Angus Show. To promote and support these contests, the Auxiliary sponsors the Crystal Award. This award is based on placings in all the educational events. It is awarded to the overall high-point boy and the high-point girl. There is no application needed for this award.
The award was created in memory of Janet Castle who was one of the founders of the Scholarship fund. She served as President of the Auxiliary in 1962. Janet's vision and dedication helped many Junior Angus members. The award was called the Janet Castle Crystal Award until donated funds were exhausted. The executive committee voted to continue the award as the Crystal Award with funding through the Educational Awards Endowment.
Crystal Award Winners
The Crystal Award is presented by the American Angus Auxiliary to the overall high-point boy and the high-point girl in education contests. In 2023, both winners were from the state of Illinois with the awards presented to Jordan Oliver and Drew Mickey.
Grote Extemporaneous Awards
Beginning in 2005, Auxiliary investments that supported scholarships and awards were transferred to Angus Foundation accounts. There are a number of scholarships that have since been established directly through the Foundation. The Pat Grote awards and the Spader awards were originated before the transfer of funds through the Foundation.
Originally known as the Pat Grote Belt Buckle Award. Rattey sculptures have replaced belt buckles. The winner of the intermediate division of the extemporaneous speaking contest at the NJAS also wins this award. Starting in 2006 the intermediate division was split into two age groups and resulted in two awards.
The winners of the two intermediate divisions receive a Harvey Rattey Pewter Sculpture Award from the American Angus Auxiliary in the name of Pat Grote.
Pictured from L to R: Intermediate Division B Winner Lauren Wolter, Illinois; Julie Conover, 2023 American Angus Auxiliary President; and Intermediate Division A Winner: 1st Place - Claire Murnin, Montana
Pat Grote LEAD Award
The winning intermediate team in the steak division of the Cook-Off earns this award, which pays for team members to attend the Leaders Engaged in Angus Development (LEAD) Conference in the year of the win or the year after.
The Illinois intermediate steak team won the Pat Grote LEAD Conference Award at the 2023 National Junior Angus Show. Team members include Reese Anderson, Chrisman; Ella Brooks, Prophetstown; Macie Carroll, Mount Carroll; Anne Dameron, Lexington; Max Dameron, Lexington; and Ella Eathington, Avon
Spader Award
The Richard L. Spader award (originally known as the Richard L. Spader Belt Buckle Award) is sponsored in memory of former American Angus Association Executive Vice President, Richard L. Spader. This award is given to the winner of the Senior Extemporaneous Speaking division at the National Junior Angus Show awards program.
The NJAA and the Junior Activities Department co-sponsor the Extemporaneous Speaking Contest, which is fast becoming one of the most competitive contests of the event. Each participant receives a topic and reference information 30 minutes prior to his or her scheduled speaking time. Following preparation, the contestant must present a 2- to 6-minute speech. The winner of the senior division receives a custom engraved Artisan belt buckle from the American Angus Auxiliary in the name of Richard L. Spader.
Winning top honors is Jake O'Dea, NE. Jake received the custom engraved Artisan belt buckle in the name of the late Richard L. “Dick” Spader for his first-place win.
Black Kettle Award
The highest and most coveted honor of the Cook-Off, the Black Kettle Award, is presented to the highest scoring team among all meat and age divisions. The award was established in memory of Paul St. Blanc, a supporter and long-time friend of the Cook-Off.
The Nebraska senior roast team won the Black Kettle Award at the All-American Certified Angus Beef® (CAB) Cook-Off at the 2023 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) Awards Ceremony, July 7 in Grand Island, Neb. Pictured from left are Anne Patton Schubert, presenting; Tavin Uden, Franklin; Addison Cotton, York; Kasey Meyer, Blue Hill; Jessalynn Hudson, Belvidere; Tucker Stagemeyer, Page; and Anne Lampe and Garrett Lampe, presenting.
Ardyce's Apron Award
After the passing of Ardyce O’Neill from Iowa in 2021 the Ardyce’s Apron Award was created and first presented at the 2022 National Junior Angus Show. The award goes to the Junior Cook-Off Team scoring the highest point total. Ardyce O’Neill was the Beef Education Chair for the first cook-off in 1983 and served on the Beef Cook-Off committee for 36 years. The current Cook-Off committee chairs and the family chose to honor her by creating the Ardyce’s Apron Award.
The Virginia junior ground beef team were the Ardyce's Apron winners at the All-American Certified Angus Beef® (CAB) Cook-Off at the 2023 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) Awards Ceremony, July 7 in Grand Island, Neb. Pictured from left Sophie Salling, Orange; Quincy Clayton, Staunton; Ella Michael, Fishersville; Lindsay Davis, Winchester; Sadie Poole, Staunton; and Anne Patton Schubert, presenting.