Lily Mitchell Receives Junior Achievement Award

Dean Summerbell, Executive Secretary of HLA (left), and Mark Anderson, NALF Vice President (right), congratulate Lily Mitchell upon receiving the Gene Raymond Memorial Buckle.

Lily Mitchell, daughter of Bart and Amy Mitchell, Spring Creeks Cattle Co. of Wauzeka, Wisconsin, received the Outstanding Junior Achievement Award at the North American Limousin Foundation (NALF) Award Ceremony and Genetics On Ice Benefit Auction January 1, 2024, at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

This award was started after the passing of long time Limousin breeder and NALF Hall Of Fame member Gene Raymond of Garnett, Kansas. His family donated a sum of money to the Heartland Limousin Association with the goal of presenting a special award to juniors who have gone above and beyond by helping in whatever way might be needed, serving in leadership positions, and volunteering to mentor younger members. The recipient receives a beautifully engraved belt buckle.

Lily currently serves as a member of the North American Limousin Junior Association (NALJA) Board of Directors. She has been an active member of the Wisconsin Limousin Association and has assisted with various shows and events not only in her home state, but also at the Heartland Regional Shows. She has also participated in the NALJA shows for several years. Lily is always willing to step up and lend a helping hand.

She is currently a freshman at UW-Platteville, majoring in Ag Business with a minor in Animal Science. While in high school, Lily was active in sports, FFA, 4-H, was class president and ended her school year as valedictorian.   

Previous winners include Peyton, Riley and Emmet Long of Afton, Iowa, and Wiley Fanta of Starbuck, Minnesota.