Missouri Student Wins National Beef Ambassador Competition

Denver, Colo. (November 7, 2001) – Crystal Mathews of Carthage, Mo. is the National Beef Ambassador for 2002, having won the National Beef Ambassador Competition October 18-20 in Little Rock, Ark.

A beef checkoff-funded program, the National Beef Ambassador Program was conceived in 1988 by the American National CattleWomen as a way to train youth spokespersons for the beef industry. Contestants ages 15-19 prepare for the competition by learning about nutritional and economic values, by-products, food safety, and versatile uses of beef. Youth ambassadors then work to address issues and misconceptions in their communities. The national winners have an opportunity to travel around the country and speak to civic groups on behalf of the American National CattleWomen and the beef industry.

Mathews is a high school senior and vice president of the state Future Farmers of America organization. She has been active in 4-H and the Missouri Junior Cattlemen’s Association, and is the owner of 35 head of cattle. Mathews is also active in her church and in school activities such as sports, student government, National Honor Society, Math Club, and Future Teachers of America. She says her career ambition is to work in agriculture education.

This year, 27 contestants from around the country competed for the national title, for $4,500 in cash prizes, and for $2,000 in scholarships from the American National CattleWomen Foundation. Mathews received $2,500 in cash and a $1,000 scholarship. Second place winner Andrew John Dunckelman of Houma, La. received $1,200 in cash and a $500 scholarship. Third place winner Scott Poague of Auburn, Ala. won $800 in cash and a $500 scholarship. Honorable Mention winners were Lindsey Gibson of Arroyo Grande, Calif. and Alicia Randall of Pine Bluffs, Wyo.

Contestants participating in the National Beef Ambassador competition presented a short, illustrated talk on the promotional aspects of beef and participated in a hands-on beef education workshop. The competition was produced for the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and state beef councils by the American National CattleWomen.

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Producer-directed and consumer-focused, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association is the trade association of America’s cattle farmers and ranchers, and the marketing organization for the largest segment of the nation’s food and fiber industry.