Sarah Harris of Buchanan has earned the National Junior Angus Association’s (NJAA) Bronze and Silver awards, according to Jaclyn Clark, education and events director of the American Angus Association in Saint Joseph, Mo.

The 18-year-old daughter of Mary Harris is a senior at James River High School and is a member of the NJAA and the Virginia Junior Angus Association, where she has served as reporter and royalty.

She has participated in local, state, regional and national shows and showmanship contests. At the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), Harris participated in the extemporaneous speaking, quiz bowl and livestock judging contests. She also participated in the All-American Certified Angus Beef Cook-Off and the 2011 and 2012 mentoring program. In 2013 Harris was a participant in the Raising the Bar conference and also participated in the Leaders Engaged in Angus Development conferences from 2008-2012.

She is involved with her local FFA and 4-H club.

The Bronze and Silver awards are the first two levels of the NJAA Recognition Program that began in 1972. Junior Angus breeders must apply for the awards, then meet point requirements in many areas of participation before receiving the honors. 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 6,000 active members nationwide.