{"id":38377,"date":"2025-08-26T01:24:44","date_gmt":"2025-08-26T01:24:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/?page_id=38377"},"modified":"2025-09-30T11:13:46","modified_gmt":"2025-09-30T11:13:46","slug":"junior-merit-program","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/junior\/junior-merit-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Junior Merit Program"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1>\n\t\t\tJunior\t<\/h1>\n<h2>\n\t\t\tMerit Program\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/outfrontcattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2025SouthernConnectionWeb.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-caption=\"\" aria-label=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Southern-Connection-25.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Southern-Connection-25.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Southern-Connection-25-300x78.jpg 300w, https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Southern-Connection-25-1024x267.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Southern-Connection-25-768x200.jpg 768w, https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Southern-Connection-25-1536x400.jpg 1536w\" width=\"2000\" height=\"521\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dvauction.com\/events\/243883-wild-indian-acres-fall-bull-10-11-25\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-caption=\"\" aria-label=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/FA-WIA25-webbanner.png\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/FA-WIA25-webbanner.png 2000w, https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/FA-WIA25-webbanner-300x78.png 300w, https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/FA-WIA25-webbanner-1024x267.png 1024w, https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/FA-WIA25-webbanner-768x200.png 768w, https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/FA-WIA25-webbanner-1536x400.png 1536w\" width=\"2000\" height=\"521\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/rogersbarhr.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-caption=\"\" aria-label=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Rogers-Bar-HR-Generic-Banner-Ad.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Rogers-Bar-HR-Generic-Banner-Ad.jpg 480w, https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Rogers-Bar-HR-Generic-Banner-Ad-300x78.jpg 300w\" width=\"480\" height=\"125\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bovine-elite.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-caption=\"\" aria-label=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/BE_DigitalAds_EliteGenetics_480x125-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/BE_DigitalAds_EliteGenetics_480x125-1.jpg 480w, https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/BE_DigitalAds_EliteGenetics_480x125-1-300x78.jpg 300w\" width=\"480\" height=\"125\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/isu.pub\/hwZViDq\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-caption=\"\" aria-label=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Royal-banner-2025.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Royal-banner-2025.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Royal-banner-2025-300x78.jpg 300w, https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Royal-banner-2025-1024x267.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Royal-banner-2025-768x200.jpg 768w, https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Royal-banner-2025-1536x400.jpg 1536w\" width=\"2000\" height=\"521\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.eatoncharolais.com\/bull-sale\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-caption=\"\" aria-label=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/EatonBannerAd.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/EatonBannerAd.jpg 960w, https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/EatonBannerAd-300x78.jpg 300w, https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/EatonBannerAd-768x200.jpg 768w\" width=\"960\" height=\"250\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/isu.pub\/JxBNMNG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-caption=\"\" aria-label=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Plyler-2025-banner-ad.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Plyler-2025-banner-ad.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Plyler-2025-banner-ad-300x78.jpg 300w, https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Plyler-2025-banner-ad-1024x267.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Plyler-2025-banner-ad-768x200.jpg 768w, https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Plyler-2025-banner-ad-1536x400.jpg 1536w\" width=\"2000\" height=\"521\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/share\/19aWSfJQbz\/?mibextid=wwXIfr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-caption=\"\" aria-label=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PGC-Moeller-Cattle-Website-Banner-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PGC-Moeller-Cattle-Website-Banner-1.jpg 480w, https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PGC-Moeller-Cattle-Website-Banner-1-300x78.jpg 300w\" width=\"480\" height=\"125\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/vitalix.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-caption=\"\" aria-label=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/vitalix-banner-ad-charolaisusa.com-vitalix-September-2025.png\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/vitalix-banner-ad-charolaisusa.com-vitalix-September-2025.png 2000w, https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/vitalix-banner-ad-charolaisusa.com-vitalix-September-2025-300x78.png 300w, https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/vitalix-banner-ad-charolaisusa.com-vitalix-September-2025-1024x267.png 1024w, https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/vitalix-banner-ad-charolaisusa.com-vitalix-September-2025-768x200.png 768w, https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/vitalix-banner-ad-charolaisusa.com-vitalix-September-2025-1536x400.png 1536w\" width=\"2000\" height=\"521\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/vitaferm.com\/all-products\/?utm_medium=banner&#038;utm_source=chatgpt.com&#038;utm_campaign=september-drench-and-stress-tubs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-caption=\"\" aria-label=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/vitaferm-480x125_char_drench_stress_tub.png\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/vitaferm-480x125_char_drench_stress_tub.png 2000w, https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/vitaferm-480x125_char_drench_stress_tub-300x78.png 300w, https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/vitaferm-480x125_char_drench_stress_tub-1024x267.png 1024w, https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/vitaferm-480x125_char_drench_stress_tub-768x200.png 768w, https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/vitaferm-480x125_char_drench_stress_tub-1536x400.png 1536w\" width=\"2000\" height=\"521\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/gearorders.com\/collections\/american-international-charolais-association\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-caption=\"\" aria-label=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Merch-Banner.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Merch-Banner.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Merch-Banner-300x78.jpg 300w, https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Merch-Banner-1024x267.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Merch-Banner-768x200.jpg 768w\" width=\"1500\" height=\"391\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n<h2>\n\t\t\tAbout the Program\t<\/h2>\n\t<p>The Junior Merit Program is a cornerstone initiative of the American International Junior Charolais Association (AIJCA). It honors outstanding junior members who exemplify leadership, achievement in competitive events, and dedication to the Charolais breed.<\/p>\n<p>This program not only recognizes personal success but also helps develop the skills needed to prepare young cattlemen and women for leadership roles in agriculture and beyond.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/merit.jpg\" alt=\"merit\" itemprop=\"image\" height=\"392\" width=\"920\" title=\"merit\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n<h2>\n\t\t\tRecognition Levels\t<\/h2>\n\t<p>The Junior Merit Program offers three levels of recognition that encourage juniors to set goals and grow in their involvement with AIJCA. Each level builds upon the last, motivating juniors to continue striving for personal, academic, and industry success.<\/p>\n\t<ul>\n\t\t<li>\t\t\t\t\n\t\tBronze Merit<\/li><li>\t\t\t\t\n\t\tSilver Merit<\/li><li>\t\t\t\t\n\t\tGold Merit<\/li>\t<\/ul>\n<h4>\n\t\t\tElite Gold Award\t<\/h4>\n\t<p>Each year at the AIJCA Junior National, one outstanding Gold Merit applicant is chosen through a personal interview to receive the program&#8217;s highest honor, the Elite Gold Merit Award. This prestigious recognitiion includes a $250 scholarship and celebrates a junior who exemplifies exceptional leadership, service, and dedication to the Charolais breed. <\/p>\n<h2>\n\t\t\tEligibility Requirements\t<\/h2>\n\t<p>To apply for the Junior Merit Program, applicants must:<\/p>\n\t\t<h5>Active Member<\/h5>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<p>Be an active AIJCA member in good standing<\/p>\n\t\t<h5>Service<\/h5>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<p>Demonstrate leadership, academic involvement, and community service<\/p>\n\t\t<h5>Breed Promotion<\/h5>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<p>Show a strong commitment to promoting and merchandising Charolais cattle<\/p>\n<h2>\n\t\t\tHow to Apply\t<\/h2>\n\t<p><strong>Applications are due April 1 each year.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h5>\n\t\t\tA complete application includes:\t<\/h5>\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Junior-Merit-Application-Final-Draft1-1.xlsx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Junior Merit application form<\/strong><\/a><br \/>\nEssay questions (Gold level only)\n<h5>\n\t\t\tWhy Apply?\t<\/h5>\n\t<p>Participating in the Junior Merit Program offers more than recognition-it provides lifelong skills and opportunities, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>National recognition at the AIJCA Junior National Show<\/li>\n<li>A stronger resume and college applications<\/li>\n<li>Scholarship funding to support educational goals<\/li>\n<li>Improved leadership, communication, and self-presentation skills<\/li>\n<li>The chance to inspire younger juniors as a role model and future leader<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5>\n\t\t\tImportant Details\t<\/h5>\n\t<ul>\n<li>Applications must be received by the Director of Junior Activities by April 1 each year.<\/li>\n<li>Points are cumulative across an AIJCA member&#8217;s entire junior career.<\/li>\n<li>Recognition levels are awarded once per applicant, but multiple levels can be achieved as points are earned.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t<h4>Apply today!<\/h4>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<p>Applications are due April 1 each year.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Junior-Merit-Application-Final-Draft1-1.xlsx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tApply now!\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n<h2>\n\t\t\t2024 Junior Merit Recipients\t<\/h2>\n<h5>\n\t\t\tBronze\t<\/h5>\n\tAvery Kohls &#8211; Hutchinson, MN<br \/>\nCambree Holt &#8211; Lake Preston, SD<br \/>\nElijah Dehan &#8211; LaMonte, MO<br \/>\nEmma Hankins &#8211; Springfield, MO<br \/>\nClaire Williams &#8211; Keithville, LA<br \/>\nLily Williams &#8211; Keithville, LA<br \/>\nJessi Hankins &#8211; Springfield, MO<br \/>\nLuke Sonderup &#8211; Fullerton, NE<br \/>\nLora Sonderup &#8211; Fullerton, NE\n<h5>\n\t\t\tSilver\t<\/h5>\n\tAvery Kohls &#8211; Hutchinson, MN<br \/>\nElijah Dehan &#8211; LaMonte, MO<br \/>\nEmma Hankins &#8211; Springfield, MO<br \/>\nLily Williams &#8211; Keithville, LA<br \/>\nJessi Hankins &#8211; Springfield, MO\n<h5>\n\t\t\tGold\t<\/h5>\n\tEmma Hankins &#8211; Springfield, MO<br \/>\nShade Bunker &#8211; Sparta, WI<br \/>\nWeston Schrader &#8211; Wells, KS\n<h5>\n\t\t\tGold Elite\t<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/gold-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"gold\" itemprop=\"image\" height=\"2560\" width=\"2560\" title=\"gold\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t<p>Weston Schrader<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Junior Merit Program About the Program The Junior Merit Program is a cornerstone initiative of the American International Junior Charolais Association (AIJCA). It honors outstanding junior members who exemplify leadership, achievement in competitive events, and dedication to the Charolais breed. This program not only recognizes personal success but also helps develop the skills needed to&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":38075,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"Junior Merit Program | American-International Charolais Association","_seopress_titles_desc":"The Junior Merit Program is a cornerstone initiative of the American International Junior Charolais Association (AIJCA). It honors outstanding junior members who exemplify leadership, achievement in competitive events, and dedication to the Charolais breed.","_seopress_robots_index":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-38377","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-page"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/38377","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38377"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/38377\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":40606,"href":"https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/38377\/revisions\/40606"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/38075"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38377"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38377"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/charolaisusa.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38377"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}