6 students awarded 2025 Junior Red Angus Scholarships

The Red Angus Association of America has announced the 2025 Junior Red Angus Association scholarship recipients, six outstanding young leaders recognized for their commitment to the beef industry, academic excellence and dedicated service to their communities.

Five $2,000 JRA College Scholarships were awarded to Addison Green Russell of Kansas, Kacee Wasem of North Dakota, Madilyn Gruszie of Montana, Lilly Ostlie of Minnesota and Wesley Meyer of Iowa. The $1,000 Dee Sonstegard Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Mikayla Skiba of Minnesota.

Addison Green Russell, of Downs, Kansas, is attending Kansas State University to pursue a dual major in public health and global food systems leadership. A graduate of Lakeside High School, Russell has been actively involved in the Junior Red Angus Association, FFA and 4-H. She is the daughter of Dr. Stephen and Samantha Russell and the late John Green.

Kacee Wasem, of Medina, North Dakota, is the daughter of Chris and Jolyn Wasem of Wasem Red Angus. A graduate of Ignite Christian Academy, she’s attending Colby Community College to major in animal science and compete on the livestock judging team.

Wasem has held numerous leadership roles, including serving three years as president and one year as queen of the North Dakota Junior Red Angus Association. She also manages her own herd of registered Red Angus cattle and is actively involved in FFA, 4-H, North Dakota Farm Bureau and her church.

Madilyn Gruszie, of Chinook, Montana, plans to study business and ranch management at the University of Montana Western. A graduate of Chinook High School, she was active in 4-H, FFA and JUMP (Jesus Uses Motivated People), holding several officer positions in her FFA chapter. Gruszie is passionate about promoting Red Angus cattle and advocating for agriculture.

Lilly Ostlie, of Benson, Minnesota, attends South Dakota State University, studying animal science. She grew up on her family’s sixth-generation farm, which has raised Red Angus cattle since the 1980s. Ostlie has shown Red Angus cattle from a young age and markets her own bulls in the family’s annual sale. After graduation, she plans to pursue a career in animal nutrition while continuing to expand her own Red Angus herd.

Wesley Meyer, of Anamosa, Iowa, is the son of Jamie and Sally Meyer. A spring graduate of Anamosa High School, he plans to major in animal science and agricultural education. Meyer has participated in FFA, 4-H and serves as a Jones County Beef Ambassador. He is also president of the Iowa Junior Red Angus Association and is committed to continuing his involvement in the Red Angus breed and industry advocacy.

Mikayla Skiba, of North Branch, Minnesota, was selected as the recipient of the $1,000 Dee Sonstegard Memorial Scholarship. Skiba is pursuing degrees in animal science and agricultural communications and marketing at the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities. She is active in the Block and Bridle Club, Lambda Delta Phi sorority and serves on the executive team. Skiba, who is a member of the university’s fall 2025 livestock judging team, also represented her state on the National 4-H Congress Youth Design Team.