By ANN ALLEN
Indiana Correspondent

ROCHESTER, Ind. — The proud owner of a heifer named Violet, Shayleigh Shriver has visions of emulating Katie Carunchia, a young woman who won a heifer awarded by the Tri-State Polled Hereford Club and built a herd of registered cattle.

Shayleigh, the nine year-old daughter of Jeff and Janie Shriver, Rochester, won Violet in the club’s 2009 giveaway.

Formed in the late 1980s or early 1990s to promote the Polled Hereford breed, the club originally had members from Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. Currently, there are 15 members from Indiana and Ohio. John Camden, of Pierceton, is president.

“Our objective is to encourage young people to get involved with Polled Herefords,” said Scott Lawrence, the club’s vice president.
Youngsters in their first or second year of 4-H interested in qualifying should write to Lawrence at 0275 No. 800 East, Avilla, IN 46710, explaining why they want the animal, how the heifer will be cared for and how she will be prepared for the fair. The letter should include a note from the parents giving permission for the youth to receive the heifer.

The winner must agree to complete the project, show the heifer at their county fair and give credit to the Tri-State Polled Hereford Club for the donation. A final oral report on the project shall be given after the fair at a regularly scheduled club meeting.
The deadline for entering the 2010 contest is Oct. 1.

In addition to the above, Shayleigh was interviewed by four members of the club and acknowledged at the Hoosier Beef Congress, where she received a gift certificate she immediately used to purchase a purple halter for Violet. “It just seemed (like) the thing to do,” she said.

Shayleigh’s parents and her older brother and sister, Stephanie and Ben, were 10-year 4-H members and Shayleigh hopes to follow in their footsteps. She’s already spent two years in Exploring 4-H, showing calves named Bugger and Striker. She will show Striker at the Fulton Co. 4-H Fair this year along with Violet.

“I like working with calves and teaching them to lead,” she said.
She hopes Violet eventually will help fund college and that, like Katie Carunchia, she can build her own herd.