Beltie Youth Group
A.H. Chatfield, Jr. Memorial Scholarship
Awardees!
The Belted Galloway Foundation is pleased to announce the 2010 scholarship recipients: Brianna Flanagan (MA), Ross Fogle (IL) and Laura Mahoney (MA).
Brianna Flanagan (MA) is currently a second year student enrolled in Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies. Brianna previously received her B.S. in Animal Science at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA and was on the Dean’s List. Brianna’s experiences with Belted Galloway Cattle are numerous. >From September 2005-May 2009 she served as President, President and Reproduction and Records Manager of the UMass Belted Galloway Group. William and Dayle Cark, Rocking M Ranch (MA) wrote that “Brianna encouraged, educated, and helped the U-Mass Beltie Group grow and also assisted in the students’ showing at national shows (Big E, Big East, and the Beef Expo in Fryeburg, ME).” Brianna has also assisted various Belted Galloway farms in the New England states. During 2009 Brianna organized a field day for U-Mass at Rocking M Ranch (MA). During the field day, students were given tours around the ranch teaching them how the farm operated. Students were taught how to evaluate cattle, how to properly fit cattle for show, how to work with show cattle and the day culminated with a show among the UMass students. Brianna explained that in the future, she is looking forward to owning her own Belted Galloway farm with the goal of using Belted Galloway cattle to educate others about agriculture.
Ross Fogle (IL), a senior at Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL, is working on his undergraduate degree in Agricultural Science, Agronomy. Ross was formerly a 12-year-member of the Beltie Youth Group, and now at age 22, serves as one of the advisors in the BYG Region 5. In 2009, he was the co-coordinator of the 2009 Camp Hope and The John Romine Memorial Show. Brad Angus, Joliet Junior College, Joliet, IL wrote, ”Ross is a tireless proponent of Belted Galloway cattle … he was quick to educate any and all students in his Animal Science classes about the utility and value of the breed. In my opinion, because of his knowledge and passion, his classmates are more knowledgeable and better advocates for a breed that they were previously unaware of.” The GLBGA recently developed Ross’ concept of a Belted Galloway semen catalog that will available in 2010. Ross is also a livestock evaluator; he was formerly on the State of Illinois 4-H Livestock Judging Team, the Joliet Junior College Livestock Judging Team and currently the Western IL Livestock Judging Team. He was the High Individual Overall at the Sioux Empire Competition in South Dakota. Ross and four other teammates from WIU recently placed 2nd overall at the 2010 Houston Stock Show in Texas. Ross communicated that he will always raise Belted Galloway cattle … it’s what he does.
Laura Mahoney (MA) is beginning her junior year as an Animal Science major at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA. Laura has been admitted to Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Laura is a dedicated member of the UMass Belted Galloway Group and next semester is aspiring to be a teacher’s assistant for the UMass Belted Galloway Group. Last semester Laura was a teaching assistant in intro animal management at UMass. She taught portions of the labs, made up quizzes and graded them. Professor John Balise at the University of Massachusetts penned, “Laura is driven, confident, motivated, knowledgeable, compassionate and an inspired young women. Laura seems to be a natural when working with animals.” Laura is a graduate of Norfolk County Agricultural High School where she was first exposed to the school’s Belted Galloway herd. Laura shared she instantly fell in love with the breed. She feels her animal experience is unique and diverse because she is always looking for new challenges and constantly expanding her animal education.