Holstein Association USA is thrilled to announce the winners of the inaugural Virtual Interview Contest. This program is designed to prepare youth for real world opportunities, giving them the chance to sharpen their resume writing and interview skills.

“The events of the past several months have forced almost everything to be virtual and demonstrated the increasing need to be proficient in virtual event and interview formats,” says Kelli Dunklee, Holstein Association USA Youth Specialist. “We thought this would be a great opportunity to equip our youth members with experience and skills they can put to work right away.”

Applicants submitted cover letters and resumes based on a mock interview scenario and were selected to move on to the second phase of the contest based on their combined cover letter and resume scores. Youth members completed a virtual interview with a panel of three judges during the second phase. Final scores were calculated based on each applicant’s cover letter, resume, and interview. All youth received feedback from the judges to help further prepare them for future interviews.

Cash prizes of $250 for first place, $100 for second place, and $50 for third place will be awarded in the junior and intermediate divisions. In the senior division, youth will be given cash prizes of $500 for first place, $250 for second place, and $100 for third place. Following are the results from each division.

Junior Division (ages 12-14 as of January 1)

1st place: Jenna Larson, Florida

2nd place: Jon Chapman, California

3rd place: Elsie Donlick, New York

Intermediate Division (ages 15-17 as of January 1)

1st place: Brianna Meyer, Wisconsin

2nd place: Courtney Glenna, Wisconsin

3rd place: Shelby Sumner, Florida

Senior Division (ages 18-21 as of January 1)

1st place: Sarah Lehner, Ohio

2nd place: Zach Jasmin, New York

3rd place: Miriam Cook, Michigan

For more information about the Virtual Interview Contest and all of Holstein Association USA’s youth programs, visit  www.holstein usa.com/juniors/.