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WHERE ARE THEY NOW? CONTINUED FROM PAGE 43

“Showing cattle was our life,” Jessica says. She also got involved in leadership in the junior association and served as the NJSGA secretary the same year Wes was the NJSGA president; Jessica was also an NJSGA queen. After graduating from high school, Jessica attended Texas A&M University and studied agricultural journalism. Later, she earned her master’s degree in agricultural education, communication and leadership from Texas A&M. Wes and Jessica have two children, 4-year-old daughter, Andi, and 1½-year-old son, Wesley. They are grateful to be able to raise their children being involved in the farm and around Santa Gertrudis cattle. “I guess you can say we are re-populating the junior asso- ciation,” Wes jokes. Besides her role as a wife and mom, Jessica is the director of development in the Office of Foundation Relations at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga. She manages a team that fundraises for the university’s health care and graduate schools. As family life started to change for the McDaniels, so did the focus of their cattle operation. “We switched from a show focus to more of a production focus when my career picked up and our family started to grow,” Wes recalls. “Looking back, I really value my time that I served on the NJSGA Board,” Wes says. “Seeing how an association works, and being exposed to real-world businesses and associations not only helped me in my transition to leadership roles on the SGBI Board, but also in my professional career.”

“When you’re the fig- urehead, people come to you, and that skill has served me well as an attorney,” he adds. Wes and Jessica both believe their back- grounds raising cattle and developing a hard- work ethic serve them well in their careers and as parents, wanting the same for their young children. ABOVE: Jessica and Wes (front row to the right) with their fellow NSGJA Board members in 2003. RIGHT: Wes and Jessica while Jessica served as the NJSGA queen.

Gracyn Foster

2020-2021 National Santa Gertrudis PRINCESS

“Hands down, showing cattle taught me about hard work and the value of a strong work ethic,” Jessica says. “I was up before school feeding and working with my cattle. “It also taught me how to assess if things aren’t working, and how can I change it to be successful. Being resourceful to make a change has served me well in life,” she adds. The ability to use critical thinking and evaluate a situation is another skill Jessica learned from judging cattle. “I learned to be decisive and give reasons to support that decision,” she says “That is a critical skill to have in any career, and I would encourage any young juniors to get involved in livestock judging.” Supporting education and leadership are another impor- tant reason to show cattle and participate in the junior association. Nearly 100 percent of Jessica’s undergraduate school expenses were paid for with scholarships from show- ing and being involved with cattle organizations. Overall, raising cattle and involvement in the association have impacted both Wes and Jessica and their family for the best. “This has defined our family – the relationships we have made have been lifelong and our ‘cattle family’ is very dear to us,” Jessica says. “Santa Gertrudis has made our family what it is, and I look forward to continuing that legacy with my children and extended family,” Wes adds.

Thank you to all that helped make my dream come true as the National Santa Gertrudis Princess. I hope to see you all on the show circuit. SPECIAL THANKS TO MY SPONSORS: Rocking T Farm, Rolling Hills Ranch, Tideland Farms and the Mississippi Affiliate!

FOSTER FARM Tim & Anderle Foster Laurel, Mississippi • 601.344.8656

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SANTA GERTRUDIS USA