Drew Mickey, Taylorville, Ill., has earned the National Junior Angus Association’s (NJAA) Bronze award, according to Caitlyn Brandt, events and junior activities director of the American Angus Association® in Saint Joseph, Mo.

Mickey is the 16-year-old son of Jon and Carla Mickey and attends Taylorville High School. He is a member of the NJAA and the Illinois Junior Angus Association.

He has participated in national shows. At the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), Mickey participated in auctioneering, photography and career development contests. He also participated in the Raising the Bar conference in 2022.

He has consigned cattle to the Greenville Spring and Fall Registered Breeding Stock Sales.

The Bronze award is the first level of the NJAA Recognition Program that began in 1972. Junior Angus breeders must apply for the award, then meet point requirements in many areas of participation before receiving the honor. 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.