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
Crystal award: Winning the Crystal Award (from left) are Brantley Humpert, TX; and Lauren Wolter, IL. The awards are presented by the American Angus Auxiliary to the top boy and top girl in contest performance.
Grote Award
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.
Grote award: Winning top honors in the intermediate A division (from left) are Max Dameron, Lily Jeffries, Anne Dameron, Reese Anderson and Ella Brooks.
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 2021 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) Awards Ceremony, July 10-17 in Grand Island, NE.
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.
These junior members won top honors in the senior division of extemporaneous speaking at the 2022 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) Awards Ceremony, July 2-9 in Kansas City, MO. Winning top honors is Jonwyn Ayres, OR. Jonwyn received the custom engraved Artisan belt buckle in the name of the late Richard L. “Dick” Spader for her 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 intermediate roast team won the Black Kettle Award. Pictured (from left) are Kasey Meyer, Tavin Uden, Addison Cotton, Tucker Stagemeyer, JessaLynn Hudson.