Sydney Sanders, Leesburg, has earned the National Junior Angus Association’s (NJAA) Bronze and Silver awards, according to Caitlyn Brandt, events and junior activities director of the American Angus Association in Saint Joseph, Missouri.

Sanders is the 17-year-old daughter of Dave and Mindy Sanders and attends Fairfield Local High School. She is a member of the NJAA and the Ohio Junior Angus Association, where she has served as secretary and currently serves as vice president.

She has participated in local, state, regional and national shows and showmanship contests. At the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), Sanders participated in mentoring program in 2018.

The Bronze and Silver awards are the first two levels of the NJAA Recognition Program that began in 1972. Junior Angus breeders must apply for the awards, then meet point requirements in many areas of participation before receiving the honors. Applicants are evaluated in areas of junior Angus association activities and leadership, participation in showmanship, contests and shows, using performance testing to improve their herd and their progress in producing and merchandising Angus cattle.

The NJAA promotes the involvement of young people in raising Angus cattle, while also providing leadership and self-development opportunities for the nearly 4,500 active members nationwide.

Submitted by Amber Wahlgren, Angus Communications.