Audrey Curtin, Blue Mound, Ill., 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, Mo.

Curtin is the 17-year-old daughter of T.J. Curtin and attends Taylorville High School. She is a member of the NJAA and the Iowa Junior Angus Association, where she currently serves as royalty and a director.

She has participated in local, state and national shows and showmanship contests. At the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), Curtin participated in the photography, graphic design, creative writing, livestock judging and stockman’s contests. She was also a participant in the 2021 and 2023 mentoring program. She participated in the Leaders Engaged in Angus Development (LEAD) conference in 2022-2023 and the Raising the Bar conference in 2022-2023.

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.