Mitchell Youth Named SD Beef Ambassador

PIERRE (August 10, 2005)—Amanda Nolz, Mitchell, will be going to New Orleans this fall representing South Dakota in the 2006 National Beef Ambassador Contest. Nolz won the South Dakota title after competing recently in the South Dakota Beef Ambassador Contest held in Huron.

            Daughter of David and Peggy Nolz, Amanda won an all-expense-paid trip to Louisiana with her presentation “ America ’s Beef—The True Unsung Hero.” She will compete against young people ages 16 to 19 from across the United States in this annual national public speaking competition. Winners at the national level represent the beef industry at various public events throughout the year and receive cash prizes and scholarships.
            As South Dakota ’s Beef Ambassador, Nolz will spend time traveling the state this year, giving her presentation and representing the state’s beef industry. She was one of several contestants at the senior level. Suzanne Swett, Platte , was the second place winner. Mark Nold, Onaka, took third.

The South Dakota CattleWomen also host junior (ages 13-15) and junior-junior (ages 10-12) Beef Ambassador contests. The junior winner was Courtney Nolz, Amanda’s sister. Austin Effling, Hecla, was the junior-junior winner and is the son of Raymond and Marci Effling. Only the senior contestant goes on to national.

The purpose of the Beef Ambassador competition is to train spokespersons for promotion of beef and the beef industry. Through preparation for the competition contestants gain knowledge about the nutritional value, the economic value, cooking principles, safe handling and versatile use of beef and understand the importance of beef as an agricultural product. Senior contestants present a five-to-eight-minute presentation based on facts provided by the American National CattleWomen.
            In addition to winning the trip to the national contest, Amanda received a South Dakota Beef Ambassador fleece jacket. Additional prizes were awarded to other contestants.
            The state competition is sponsored by the South Dakota Beef Industry Council and contributions from beef-related organizations and individuals. The South Dakota CattleWomen hosted the event with coordination by the Southern Belle CattleWomen.

            Both the state and national contests are funded in part by America ’s Beef Producers through their $1-per-head checkoff.