Our family has always enjoyed the simple traditions, like gathering around our old family table for turkey and all the fixings on Thanksgiving Day. It’s a great time to catch up and enjoy everyone’s company and laughter, not to mention all of the food. We even manage to squeeze in a trip to the Christmas tree farm to traipse through the woods in search of that perfect tree for the living room. I love everything about the upcoming holidays.

Thinking of our holiday traditions makes me think of all our Angus Auxiliary traditions. The Auxiliary has been supporting our Angus youth since 1952. We have awarded a silver pitcher since 1953 to a young person who has excelled in the show ring. Every year at the end of the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), we now present two of these.

Our coveted scholarship program was established in 1956, with the first $300 scholarship being awarded in 1957. This year we awarded $20,000 to 10 deserving high school graduates. Did you know that our Miss American Angus contestants are selected from our top female scholarship winners? Since 1959 our Miss American Angus has not only been beautiful, but incredibly intelligent, too.

Our traditions continued when in 1999, our Crystal Award presentation began to recognize one boy and one girl for their education contest competition at NJAS.

Our All-American Certified Angus Beef (CAB) Cook-Off contest began in 1983 in my home state of Iowa. We recognize several juniors with coveted awards such as the Grote LEAD (Leaders Engaged in Angus Development) Award, Ardyce’s Apron and the Black Kettle.

Coming up we will be having our Full Circle Online Auction Nov. 7. This online auction will be hosted on www.AngusLive.com and supports all of our programs. Be sure to check out our website for our Gifts that Sizzle program in conjunction with CAB. It is the best holiday gift for all of your friends and family.

Our traditional Auxiliary breakfast will be happening at the Angus Convention in Fort Worth, Texas, this year. We hope that you will be able to join us there and all throughout the year as we celebrate the Angus juniors and the traditions we have built.

November is a time to be thankful. I am incredibly thankful for the ladies of the Auxiliary who have walked with me this year during my presidency. They have been incredible advisors and teammates through all of the highs and lows. While new seasons unfold, I am certain we will hold true to our traditions. If you are not a member yet, please consider joining us. We enjoy everything Angus, kids, cattle and traditions.