Jameson Paul Walker is a native of Guys Mills, Pennsylvania and was raised on his family's dairy and crop farm, where he developed an interest in agriculture that has helped to motivate him in almost everything he has done. He was very active in the 4-H beef cattle project and built a successful beef show cattle business. Through his 4-H career, Jameson held numerous leadership and officer positions. In high school, Jameson was a three-sport letterman and district all-star selection in cross-country, basketball, and volleyball. Jameson was also active in concert band, National Honor Society, Varsity Club, and Weightlifting Club, and he was on the student council and yearbook staff. As a high school senior, Jameson received awards as the outstanding student in English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. He also received the Air Force Mathematics and Science Award, the Army Scholar Athlete Award, and the Burger King Outstanding Senior Award. He graduated as the class salutatorian with a 4.0 out of a possible 4.0 GPA. While at the Pennsylvania State University, Jameson was very active in numerous activities of the Block and Bridle Club and other organizations. Jameson graduated with a degree in Dairy and Animal Science (Business Option) in May 2000 with a cumulative grade point average of 3.95 on a 4.0 scale and has accepted a District Manager position with Purina Mills, Inc. He will be working in feed sales and nutrition in Western Pennsylvania, New York, and Eastern Ohio.
Second Place
Sarah Jefferson
University of Florida
Sarah Jefferson grew up in North Hillsborough County, Florida, where her interest in agriculture grew. She was very active in FFA activities as a member of the King Senior FFA Chapter. Sarah raised and showed dairy and beef animals at the Strawberry Festival in Plant City, Florida and won her chapter proficiency awards in both dairy and beef production. Honors she has received include her State FFA Degree, Star County Greenhand, Star Chapter Farmer, and the Dekalb Accomplishment Award. In addition, she participated in such activities as public speaking, dairy judging, forestry judging, and land judging. She served as sentinel and president of FFA, and she chaired her FFA chapter's Service Committee. In addition, Sarah was a member of the King High School Varsity Swim Team, National Honor Society, and National Vocational-Technical Honor Society and she was included in Who's Who of American High School Students. While at the University of Florida, Sarah has been very active in the Block and Bridle Club, the 1999-2000 Livestock Judging Team, and many other campus and community activities while maintaining a 3.75 out of 4.0 GPA. During the summer of 2000, Sarah is doing an internship with the University of Florida Livestock Extension Agent in Pasco County Florida, where she will participate in local, state, and regional educational programs for cattle producers, in addition to attending the Florida Cattlemen's Convention and Trade Show and assisting with the South Florida Beef-Forage Program exhibit. Sarah will graduate from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in August 2000 and will attend Texas A&M in the fall for a Master's degree in agribusiness. Upon completion of her master's program, she intends to work in the beef industry in marketing and run her own commercial cattle and purebred operation.
Amanda Ellen Ramer is the daughter of Neil and Vivian Ramer of Cecilia, Kentucky.
Amanda grew up on her family's 360-acre farm - land that has been in her family
for four generations. In the fifth grade, Amanda showed a steer from the family
farm, an event that led to a 10-year period of exhibiting cattle in 4-H and
FFA. After the sale of her first steer, Amanda purchased a purebred Limousin
heifer. Her herd has since grown, and today show owns 35 registered Limousin
cows. In addition, Amanda and her parents own a herd of 100 commercial cows.
Amanda's experience with cattle projects not only fostered her interest in animal
science, but the dedication and hard work required for success with those projects
have been key to her success in college. In May 2000, Amanda received a Bachelor
of Science degree from Western Kentucky University (WKU) with a major in Biochemistry
and a minor in Agriculture. She also was one of 12 graduates to complete the
university honors program, maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 3.795
on a 4.0 scale. Additionally, Amanda has been active in numerous extracurricular
activities, such as serving as both secretary and executive assistant of the
WKU Block and Bridle Chapter, president of the WKU Student Alumni Association,
and as an Agricultural Ambassador. Along with these activities, Amanda has worked
as a teaching assistant for two years in the Department of Agriculture. Amanda
h as been awarded a research assistantship in the Immunobiology Program at Iowa
State University beginning fall 2000 to pursue her Ph.D. She plans to focus
her interest in livestock production and immunology to address animal health
issues.
