From the American Angus Association
Many little girls grow up dreaming of becoming Miss America. For young ladies in the Angus business, becoming Miss American Angus can become a reality, and for one young lady, that dream became a reality on Nov. 6, 2017. The newly crowned 2018 Miss American Angus, Kallie Knott, Laotto, Indiana, stood out due to her passion for and commitment to the Angus breed.
“Participating in the Miss American Angus contest has been a prestigious moment because you meet so many lifelong friends and you experience so much, including communications skills and being able to talk with other breeders,” Knott said. “I’m looking forward to listening to Angus breeders and being able to connect with them even more.”
The Miss American Angus competition, hosted by the American Angus Auxiliary, occurred during the 2017 Angus Convention Nov. 4-6 in Fort Worth, Texas. The crowning ceremony is always an exciting highlight of the Awards Recognition Breakfast held by the American Angus Association®.
For nearly 50 years, five outstanding young ladies compete each year for the chance to wear the crown and represent the Angus breed. Miss American Angus gets to serve Angus breeders by assisting with shows, educational events and field days to educate audiences about the beef industry and why Angus genetics are beneficial to cattle producers.
A freshman at Purdue University, Knott is pursuing a degree in animal science before applying to a school of veterinary medicine. Daughter of Robert and Rebecca, Knott has grown up in the Angus industry as a champion showman. She also has been involved in leadership positions as a junior member, including the 2016-2017 vice president of the Indiana Angus Association and reporter, princess and as the junior co-chair of the National Junior Angus Show in Indiana in 2016. Knott also is a board member and on the awards committee for the Indiana Junior Beef Cattle Association and was very involved in her high school FFA and 4-H club.
“I have a background in the Angus industry, but, as Miss American Angus, I want to be able to venture out and be able to educate the consumer side, as well,” Knott said. “I want to not only educate at Angus events but also be able to take information back to school and to other events in my state and across the country. I want to be able to take my experiences and be able to explain to everyone what a great opportunity it is to be in a great industry like the Angus breed.”
The five Miss American Angus contest finalists were selected through the Auxiliary’s scholarship application process. During the Angus Convention, the young ladies completed a written test, demonstrated their public speaking skills and interviewed with a panel of three judges. This year’s judges were Kyle and Sharon Magruder, Fort Worth, Texas; and Lindsey DeWitte, Kansas City, Missouri.
The other young ladies vying for the crown included Claire Hawthorne, Westby, Wisconsin; Haley Greiman, Perry, Iowa; Lydia Dance, Hillsboro, Ohio; and Caroline Cowles, Rockfield, Kentucky.
“For anyone interested in being Miss American Angus, I would advise them to be themselves and to be passionate about the industry they’re in,” Knott said. “It’s an amazing experience. Don’t be afraid and take it all in.”
Knott received the crown from 2017 Miss American Angus Keegan Cassady, Bloomington, Illinois.
For more information about the Miss American Angus program, visit www.angusauxiliary.com.
--Compiled by Sarah Hill, Angus Media
ANGUS MEANS BUSINESS. The American Angus Association® is the nation’s largest beef breed organization, serving nearly 25,000 members across the United States and Canada. It provides programs and services to farmers, ranchers and others who rely on the power of Angus to produce quality genetics for the beef industry and quality beef for consumers.
For more information about Angus cattle and the American Angus Association’s programs and services, visit www.angus.org.
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