University of Missouri
The University of Missouri-Columbia Block and Bridle Club enjoyed another rewarding and active year. The club officers for the 1997 school year are: President- Shelly Bode; Vice President of Activities- Melissa Markway; Vice President of Programs- Dawn Hasekamp; Secretary-Melanie Miller; Treasurer- Suzanne Krumpleman; Assistant Treasurer- Keri Kulbom; Fund-raising Co-Chairs - Geni Baker and Julie Renner; Public Relations - Carey Arnold and Vanessa Bruemmer; MSA Representative - Liz Wilson; Reporters - Jamie Ragan and Kellie Russell; Agriculture Student Council Representative - Kevin Schnarre; Little American Royal Co-Chairs ( John Ridder and Wendy Scheer; Ham Show Co-Chairs - Aaron Gaines and DeWayne Martin; Sheep Show Co-Chairs - Sarah Shultz and Melanie Starbucks; Steer and Heifer Show Co-Chairs - Jason Beltz and Julie Renner; Species Trip Co-Chairs - Dale Hentges and Carrie Mitchell; Yearbook - Cindi Clevenger; Beef Specie - Carrie Cowgill; Dairy Species - Katie Schear; Swine Species - Aaron Gaines; Horse Species - Mike Scott; Small Animal Chair- Brandi McCormack. The advisors for the 1997 school year are Dr. James Spain and Dr. Don Spiers.
Our club kicked off the year with a barbeque and volleyball game to welcome students and faculty back for a new and exciting year. During Agriculture Week, the club received the honor of being the first runner up for the spirit award. Our little American Royal was also a huge success and we more than doubled the number of participants from the previous year. We published our first official yearbook which highlighted new fund raisers and our Steer and Heifer Show which boasted about 350 participants.
Our club met twice each month to conduct business, learn from guest speakers, and interact with fellow members. Each meeting alternated with a guest speaker at one and an activity at the next. Activities included bowling, a banana split party and roller functions. The guest speakers ranged from internship reports to a presentation from the Dairy Council.
Our major fund raising events for the year included the annual Missouri Ham Show and Sale held during the Salute to Agri-Missouri; a Milk-A-Cow Booth at the Botanical Gardens in St. Louis; Hat and T-shirt sales, and catering meals for various events (Feeds).
Within an extremely busy schedule, we found time to escape from Columbia to sunny Orlando, Florida for National Convention and to north central Texas for a three and a half day species trip that allowed members to tour various livestock businesses and operations. We completed our first annual yearbook which has become an excellent way of promoting our activities to incoming students. We are also in the process of planning a Junior Hog Show for the winter of 1998.
Our year concluded with our annual Spring Banquet during which many of our members were recognized for various awards.
