1. Participant ages for all contests will be based on the junior member’s age as of May 20, 2025. If a junior member is 21 years of age as of January 1 of the junior national year, he or she is eligible to compete at the Junior National.
2. Photo contest, graphic design and resume/interview submissions will be completed online by June 1 at 11:59 p.m. See contest specific rules and guidelines for complete submission instructions.
3. For quiz bowl, team fitting and team sales, mixed-age teams may be entered but will be classified by the oldest member of the team. All teams must provide team members’ names and ages to the AIJCA office by 9:00 a.m., on Monday, June 17. Every effort will be made to fill any incomplete teams.
4. All entries for the scrapbook, art, poster, and prepared speech contests must be turned into the registration desk by 12 p.m. Noon on Monday, June 16. Entries in these contests will be available for pick-up by the junior member at Noon, Saturday, June 21. Entries left will be disposed.
5. Participants in all contests must be present to participate.
6. Entries in the poster, graphic design and photo contests that are deemed inappropriate by a sifting committee will be disqualified.
7. The order of presentation for all contests (individual and team) will be randomly assigned within division and will be posted at the show office.

Art Contest

1. Entries must promote the Charolais breed in some way.
2. Any medium may be used: pencil, crayon, pastel, paint, fabric, metal, wood, clay, etc.
3. Originality is key!
4. One entry per person.
5. Contestants should attach the following information to the piece of art: brief description describing how artwork was made, contestant name, address, breeder number and age as of May 20, 2025.

Cook-off Contest

1. Teams must submit all names of cook-off contest participants, ages and birth dates along with 10 typed copies of the entry’s recipe to the registration desk no later than 12 p.m. Noon, on Monday, June 16.
2. Participants will furnish all necessary ingredients (including meat) as well as cooking tools (i.e. grill, utensils, plates, tables, extension cords, etc.)
3. Participants may use any gas grill, charcoal grill, oven, toaster oven, crock pot, etc., as long as furnished by the participants—nothing will be provided for the preparation of any entry. Facility kitchen will not be made available to Cook-off Contest participants.
4. All entries must use beef as the main ingredient in the recipes. A panel of 2 judges will judge the Cook-Off Contest. Teams should prepare at least two servings for the judges. Extra servings will be made available for tasting by spectators. (A serving of meat is 3 cooked ounces.)
5. All contest participants should follow proper food safety procedures during preparation for the dish.
6. Accessories such as place mats, napkins, flowers, etc. are allowed.
7. No alcoholic beverages may be used in presentation or be presented to the judges. (Exception: when used in marinating or meat preparation.)
8. Participants shall stand away from table when judges are scoring or team will be disqualified.
9. Presentation to judges shall last no longer than 8 minutes per team.
10. All entries will be evaluated on two separate and distinct categories:
    • SHOWMANSHIP — Team members will be scored on neatness, grooming, cleanliness, manners, enthusiasm and ability to answer questions about the beef product, its preparation, storage, sanitation and nutrition.
    • RECIPE — The team’s presentation will be scored on the recipe provided, appropriate number of meat servings in dishes, economical factors, appearance of dish, taste, appeal to persons in various age groups and health conscious preparation.

Graphic Design Contest

1. Entries must be created using computer technology.
2. There will be 2 categories:
   • Breed/Association Promotion: Highlight the value of Charolais in a successful cattle enterprise or the benefits of active membership in the Charolais Association.
   • Herd Advertisement: Suitable for promotion of your own herd or a fictitious (but realistic) situation.
3. Contestants will complete the graphic design contest submission form found online at www.CharolaisUSA.com and upload submissions before June 1 at 11:59 p.m. Entries should be sized to an 8.5” x 11” page and will be submitted electronically as a PDF or JPG file. One entry will be submitted in each form. When submitting a graphic design, you must include the following: contestant name, breeder number, age division as of May 20, 2025, and category of graphic design.
4. Contest is limited to 2 entries per person, one entry per category.
5. All work must be that of the contestant. Entries must be the contestant’s current year’s work and cannot have been presented for competition at a previous AIJCA Junior National.
6. Graphic design entries will be evaluated on: originality, message, ability to attract attention, use of space and design.
7. Judges will rank the top 5 in each category in each age division. Awards will be given to the top two in each category of each age division.

Herdsmanship Contest

1. Neatness and cleanliness of exhibit area
2. Availability of juniors to answer questions
3. Participation and involvement in grooming by junior members
4. Exhibition and promotion of entries
5. Cattle must be in stalls from tie-outs by designated time and shall not return to tie-outs until designated time.

Impromptu Public Speaking Contest

1. The selection of topics shall be held 15 minutes (depending on order drawn) before the presentation. The participant will draw two specific topics, selected at random, relating to the industry of agriculture and/or the Charolais breed of cattle. After selecting the topic the participant desires to speak on, both topics will be returned to the pool for the next drawing.
2. The topics will be prepared by the AICA Staff.
3. Contestant will be given approximately 15 minutes to prepare their presentation. The Junior Division will have the option to use an outline prepared by the AIJCA Board.
4. Contestant will be asked to answer questions relating to their speech following their presentation. The question and answer session shall be a maximum of 3 minutes. Deductions of 20 points per minute will be taken from the score of each judge for any speech under the minimum or over the maximum time restriction.
5. Contestant will be judged on personal appearance.

Interview & Resumé Contest

1. Contest is only open to members 15 years of age and older, as of May 20, 2025.
2. Contestant will be scored separately on each of the following: cover letter, resumé and personal interview. A combined score from these three areas will determine the contestant’s overall score.
3. Contestants will complete the interview and resumé contest submission form found at www.CharolaisUSA.com. The following will be uploaded in PDF format: job description, cover letter and resumé. Materials will be submitted online by June 1 at 11:59 pm in order to allow judges time to review materials before the contest.
4. Contestants will submit one agricultural internship/job description and interview for that position. Divisions are as follows:
   • High School Division Internships
   • College Division Full-Time Jobs
5. Contestants will be judged on personal appearance.
6. Resumés and cover letters will be evaluated on content, grammar, design and overall appeal.
7. Each contestant will be interviewed for no more than ten (10) minutes.
8. Each individual will be evaluated on the following in the interview portion of this contest:
   • Education - Does applicant have the educational background needed for a position with the organization?
   • Leadership Potential - Does applicant appear to have the ability and motivation to advance in the organization?
   • Extracurricular Activities - Does the potential interviewer have sufficient experience in outside activities?
   • Work Experience - Does the applicant have sufficient job accomplishments, skills and experiences to relate to the position.
   • Communication Skills - How well was the candidate able to express his/her thoughts? Consider factors such as vocabulary, grammar, style of delivery, etc.
   • Career Planning - Did the candidate show evidence of career planning? (Example: setting goals for the future, alternative career paths, long-range plans for future self-development)
   • Motivation/Initiative - To what extent does the applicant show enthusiasm for the position being interviewed for?
   • Appearance/Personality - What kind of general impression does the applicant make? Consider dress, grooming, posture and presence.

Mentorship Program

Mentors: Recommended for junior members, 15 and older who have attended two or more Junior Nationals. Mentors help their mentee get to know others within the organization, answer questions, and ensure a fun and interesting experience at Junior National.

Mentees: Recommended for young junior members and first or second-time Junior National participants. Mentees will learn about AIJCA and Junior National Show and Leadership Conference, meet new people, and have a great experience at Junior National.

General Mentorship Program guidelines:

• Mentor/Mentee partners assigned by AIJCA Board.
• Pairings announced at Mentor/Mentee Introductions, Monday, June 16.
• Junior members running for AIJCA Board positions are required to be a Mentor and be present at Introductions unless prior written permission is granted from AICA Youth Activities Director.

Photo Contest

Designed to provide juniors opportunity to learn photographic skills and compete with other Charolais juniors.

Contest divisions: Senior, Intermediate, Junior.

General rules:

• Two categories: Color and Black & White.
• Top 5 ranked in each category per division; awards to top 2.
• Maximum 4 entries per person, no more than 2 per category.
• Photos must highlight Charolais cattle as dominant focus.
• Entries submitted online before June 1, 11:59 p.m., via submission form.
• Each photo must include contestant name, breeder number, age division, category, and title.
• Photos formatted to print high quality 8” x 10”; file size max 18 MB.
• All photos must be original, taken by the contestant, and current year’s work.
• Charolais Journal staff may utilize photos at their discretion.

Poster Contest

Fun, educational, and competitive activity for juniors.

Contest divisions: Juniors only.

General rules:

• Two categories: Breed/Association Promotion and Herd Advertisement.
• Top 5 ranked in each category; awards to top 2.
• Two entries per person, one per category.
• Posters must use regular-size poster board (22” x 28”), suitable to hang.
• No computer-generated designs allowed; photos, clippings, stencils, and adhesive letters allowed.
• 3D posters allowed if objects ≤ 1/2”; otherwise disqualified.
• Posters must be current year’s work.
• Required info on back: category, title, name, address, breeder number, age.

Prepared Public Speaking Contest

Contestants present a speech on a livestock industry subject.

Divisions and time limits:

• Senior: 6–8 minutes
• Intermediate: 4–6 minutes
• Junior: 2–4 minutes

General rules:

• Original content composed solely by the junior speaker; notes allowed.
• Question & answer session: max 3 minutes, 1 question per judge; 20 points deducted per minute outside time limits.
• Three typed, double-spaced copies of speech required at registration desk by Monday, June 16, 12 p.m. Noon.
• Cover sheet required with name, address, breeder number, age.
• Visual aids allowed; contestants judged on personal appearance.

Quiz Bowl Contest

Tests team knowledge of the beef industry.

• Team composition: 4–5 members, 1 alternate; must include a member ≤ 14 years at all times.
• Contest is single elimination; all questions worth 10 points.
• Head-to-head and toss-up questions rules explained.
• Judges and timekeepers appointed by AIJCA Board; no notes, recordings, or phones allowed.
• Spectators allowed but must stay until round completion.

Affiliate Scrapbook Contest

Encourages junior associations to document achievements.

• Scrapbooks judged on content and appearance; created by current members.
• Cover should include association name; creative but not costly.
• Categories: Officers, meetings, activities, shows, communications, honors.
• Arranged in calendar sequence; include photos, clippings, programs, minutes.
• Scrapbooks must be neat, organized, with captions; no loose pieces.

Sullivan Supply Showmanship Contest

Open to all exhibitors with cattle at Junior National. $10 entry fee ($20 late); no substitutions after May 10. Recognition for Top 10 Showmen in each division.

Divisions: Senior, Intermediate, Junior.

• Non-fit competition; must exhibit own registered steer or heifer; no bulls allowed.
• Specific exhibitor number must be worn; Junior National t-shirt not required.
• Any exhibitor losing control twice must remove animal.

Skit Contest

Comic sketch or humorous story approved by Junior Board. Scripts submitted to AIJCA office before contest start. Inappropriate content disqualifies entry.

Awards: Best Dressed, Best Comedy, Most Creative Skit.

Talent Contest

Showcases creative or artistic aptitude.

Divisions: Senior, Intermediate, Junior.

Awards to top 2 performances per division.

Weaver Livestock Team Fitting Contest

Teams: 3–4 members, 20-minute time limit.

Divisions: Senior, Intermediate, Junior; rules vary by division (clipper use restrictions, senior advisor required for junior teams).

General rules:

• Teams provide all supplies; full chutes required.
• Each team provides their own animal (heifer/steer; no bulls).
• Animals pre-clipped for junior/intermediate; may be pre-clipped for senior.
• Audience must stay out of contest area.
• Scoring: animal evaluation, equipment use, skill, appearance, team Q&A, presentation.
• Intermediate and Junior contests may run concurrently if space allows.

Team Sales Contest

Gives AIJCA members experience selling exhibited animals.

Divisions: Junior (2–5 min), Intermediate (5–10 min), Senior (5–10 min).

General rules:

• Teams of 3–4 members.
• Animals used: purebred heifers, bulls, percentage heifers; must be AIJCA-fitted only.
• Original registration papers presented at time of sale.
• Prohibited: extra promotional items, props, gifts to judges.
• Each member must speak; questions held until end.
• Presentation content: pedigree, performance, visual characteristics.
• One-minute warning given before time ends.
• Evaluation categories: contents, communication, organization, effectiveness, knowledge, Q&A response.

Scholarship Opportunities – AIJCA Premier Challenge

Champion Sponsored by Zehnder Waage Partnership: This scholarship promotes contest participation. The $500 Champion scholarship will be awarded to the individual with the highest overall score regardless of age. Additional AIJCF scholarships are available for 2nd – 5th Overall Premier Challenge.

Participants must compete in at least 4 of the following contests:

• Art
• Photo
• Poster
• Graphic Design
• Impromptu Speech
• Prepared Speech
• Resume/Interview
• Showmanship
• Team Fitting
• Team Sales
• Cook-Off
• Talent

Contestants competing in at least 4 of the qualifying contests are automatically in contention for the scholarship.

In each individual contest, participants will be ranked through top 5 placings for each age division. In each team contest, participants will be ranked through champion and reserve placings for each age division.

Points distribution for individual contests:

• 1st - 50
• 2nd - 40
• 3rd - 30
• 4th - 20
• 5th - 10
• Participation - 5

Points distribution for team contests (per individual on each team):

• 1st - 50
• 2nd - 40
• Participation - 5

Participation points are awarded to non-placing participants.

Only the top score of the two categories in the Photo Contest (Black/White and Color) will be awarded.

Only the top score of the two categories in the Poster or Graphic Design contests (Breed/Association Promotion and Herd Advertisement) will be awarded.

Each participant’s highest 4 scores will be used.

In the event of a tie, the next highest score in an additional contest will be used. This method continues until a scholarship winner is determined. Participation in more than 4 contests is strongly encouraged.