Meet the Social Media and Publicity Committee

Hey everyone!
My name is Allison Grayson. I’m a second year Journalism major at Cal Poly, with a concentration in Public Relations. In addition to my major, I am also working on minors in both Agricultural Communications and Equine Science. Although I decided to go with the Journalism major to hone in on my media skills, I love finding ways to integrate my passion for agriculture into my work in the department.
I grew up in San Antonio, Texas, where I was involved in the equine side of 4-H. Even though I did not show livestock myself, I loved going to the livestock portions of the shows to see how it all worked. I was transferred to Davis, California by the military life during my high school years; and during that time I took a break from 4-H to pursue Class A equine shows. I was still able to further my interest in livestock, though, being that my dad is a large animal veterinarian.

At Cal Poly I have been able to be a member of the Beef Cattle Stocker Enterprise at Cal Poly’s own Swanton Pacific Ranch. And it was through that experience that I learned a lot about raising beef cattle.
I am very excited to be a part of Western Bonanza, not only to learn more about livestock shows, but also to work with the participants and sponsors. Without you, there would be no show!
On behalf of the Social Media and Publicity Committee, we want you to know that we want this year to be the most successful year yet for Western Bonanza—so feel free to send us feedback on how we’re doing! And keep checking into our blog and our Facebook for updates!
See you in February!
Allison Grayson

Hey everybody,
My name is Carolyn Madson and I am a member of the 2011 Bonanza Media & Publicity team! I'm in my second year at Cal Poly and am majoring in Agricultural Science. I grew up on a cow/calf operation here on the Central Coast and am absolutely loving the opportunity to pursue a career in the ag industry at such a fine university. This is my first year being involved with our livestock show and I am so excited to be a part of something that has such a large positive impact--I believe that shows like Western Bonanza provide their competitors with memories and experiences that help them both in and out of the show ring. I showed hogs, beef cattle, and rodeo'd growing up and can't wait to get back in the animal barns!

As you get ready for the big weekend in February don't forget to stay tuned to the various Bonanza links the Media team has going!
We'll see you soon!
Carolyn

Meet the Social Media and Publicity Committee

Hello,
My name is Ashley Coffey and I am an Animal Science major and focusing on a minor in Agribusiness at Cal Poly. I was born and raised in Napa, CA. I recently transferred from Santa Rosa Junior College. This is my first year with Western Bonanza and I am on the Publicity and Social Media Committee. I am very excited to be involved with this show as it is one of my greater passions in life. I was heavily involved in 4-H throughout my childhood. I showed 3 years of hogs and for the past 10 years I have shown cattle. Within the ten years of showing cattle I have achieved one of my greater accomplishments…winning Champion AOB Female at Cow Palace in 2006. This was with my own Bred and Owned heifer. This heifer was the foundation for my own show cattle herd; I developed this herd to raise quality show animals.

Not only have I been involved with cattle but I have also been showing horses for the past 18 years. The disciplines I have shown in are Western Pleasure, English, and currently, Cutting. I am looking forward to my involvement with this show and the opportunities that may arise.

Sincerely,
Ashley

Hi there!
My name is Adriene Henderson, I am a fourth year journalism and public relations major. However, my true passion lies within my minor which is agricultural communications. Both of my parents come from long lines of Minnesota farmers and ranchers, and although I grew up 2,000 miles away from my farm it is without doubt my favorite place on earth. I have been surrounded by agriculture and livestock for as long as I can remember, and not a day goes by that I don’t appreciate their importance. Although I never showed livestock myself, the dedication and competition is fascinating to me.

I have a strong skill set surrounding event planning and public relations work. During my studies as a journalism student I have be introduced to the world of the media, and as a public relations student I have developed skills to communicate with the media as well as various publics. I have a strong background in event planning from my work with the American Cancer Society organizing and running Cal Poly’s Relay for Life as an event chair. I am interning with UC Cooperative Extensions working with their farm advisors and the 4-H program and I love every minute of it. I am very excited to bring my communications knowledge and skills to Western Bonanza but even more so I am excited for all that I will be able to learn surrounding the livestock side of the event!

Thanks!
Adriene

Meet the Social Media and Publicity Committee

Hi!
My name is Gina Cirimele and this is my first year at Cal Poly. I transferred after two years at the Santa Rosa Junior College. My major is animal science with a minor in ag business. I’m originally from Sonoma, CA and I grew up with exposure to horses but I got mainly involved in agriculture and showing livestock during my first year in high school. I was an active member of Sonoma FFA and Sonoma 4-H. I started out showing exhibition poultry, market swine and then market steers until I graduated.

This is my first year helping with Bonanza and I am excited to be a part of it. I’m eager to see what this year will bring and can’t wait to see what everyone has been working on to get here. The show is right around the corner and it will be here before we know it. I’m looking forward to a fun and very fast month!

See you soon!
Gina Cirimele

What’s up everybody?!
The name’s Anthony J. Pannone. I’m part of the 2011 Western Bonanza Publicity and Media team, and I want to tell ya a lil’ bit ‘bout myself. Was born in California, lived in So Cal but moved to Anchorage, Alaska, when I was nine. Then at fifteen moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where I finished high school. After high school for two years I attended Seward County Community College in Liberal, Kansas, where I played baseball. Fast forward . . . This is my final year as an undergraduate student at Cal Poly. My major is agricultural science, with a concentration in animal science, and an emphasis in communications, more specifically writing. In fact I love to write, and am an aspiring philologist (one who studies language). While I dub myself a backpack journalist, I’m so much more!

In what seems a previous life, I played professional baseball for the SF Giants organization. After graduating from Seward County I chased my dream to play Major League baseball. For five-and-a-half years I paid my dues in the minor leagues, traveling from here to there and back again. Boy what an experience! I made it all the way to the Triple-A level before succumbing to a shoulder injury. When that happened I faced the decision of my life—whether to continue playing ball or finish college—I chose option B and here I am, neck deep in the awesome world of agriculture. You see, I eat, therefore I care about the who, what, where, why and how food arrives on my plate. That’s right, like you, like everybody on this earth, I’m connected to the farmers who plow, the cows that moo, and the cotton that’s harvested—and if I forgot someone or something then I apologize: Thank You to everyone involved in providing the world with food and fiber.
I look forward to a prosperous Bonanza!

Adios compadres,
A.J. Pannone

Meet Shauna Trusas

Good afternoon Western Bonanza Blog Followers!

It's Thursday, which means that we have Western Bonanza class this evening! Usually the Western Bonanza class meets twice a week. Tuesday nights are for committee work where each student meets with their committee to plan specifics for Western Bonanza weekend. Thursday nights the students meet as a whole and hear from various guest speakers who come to our class. In addition to our BRAND NEW blog this year, we will also have BRAND NEW Livestream broadcasting of our guest speakers! This year the Social Media and Publicity Committee aims to include you as Western Bonanza exhibitors and supports in the events leading up to Western Bonanza weekend! Each Thursday our guest speaker's biography will be posted on this blog. You can learn a little bit about the speaker and then tune into the Livestream during our class to hear what message they have to share! Our first speaker this week is Shauna Trusas, a "Western Bonanza Lifer".

  
 *****

A native of California, Shauna grew up in Redding, a small town in Northern, CA.  She attended Cal Poly 1998 – 2005 where she graduated with a degree in Animal Science.  While attending Cal Poly she was active in many of the Animal Science Enterprises and participated in Western Bonanza for six years! During college she also was a Poly Rep, an Ag Ambassador,  and she graduated from "The World Champion College of Auctioneering". Shauna also started her own jewelry company called Corbett Silver Company. Upon graduation, she went to work for John Rodgers as his “Assistant” where she did everything from shipping cattle to creating purebred female and bull catalogs.  In 2007 she was hired by Allflex USA, Inc. to be their Western Regional Manager where she oversaw all sales and marketing efforts in California, Nevada, and Arizona primarily concentrating on dairy cattle and calf ranches.  In May of 2010 Shauna joined Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica where she is a territory manager selling cattle pharmaceuticals to dairy producers in the Central Valley of California. 

*****

We are very happy to have Shauna speaking to us tonight, and we can't wait to hear from her! Can you? Don't forget to tune into our Livestream broadcast, where you can hear from Shauna LIVE tonight around 6:30pm!

With Much Enthusiasm,

Malorie

Social Media and Publicity Chairperson

Meet the Social Media and Publicity Committee

Hi!

My name is Stephanie Conroy and I am excited to be member of the Western Bonanza team for 2011. I’d like to tell you just a little about myself. I grew up in a Southern California city where all there was to see was cars and overpriced stores. In 8th grade I moved, and it was a complete 180. This place opened my eyes to agriculture and it can be considered the reason why I’m here serving you today.

I started out showing sheep at my county fair. I did this for 4 years. Now I get to be the girl behind the scenes bringing Western Bonanza to you first hand! I’m an Agriculture Science major with a passion for informing the people and helping animals. I still have at least two more years and hope to continue helping with this trend-setting jackpot show. I look forward to seeing, meeting, and talking with many of the fans of Western Bonanza. This year is going to a great year! Western Bonanza, here I come!

~Stephanie Conroy

Meet the Social Media and Publicity Committee

Hi!

My name is Cortney Newby. I am currently involved in my second quarter here at Cal Poly State University. I am an Agriculture Science/Communication major, working on a minor in Range Resource Management. I transferred from Cuesta as a junior last quarter. I am excited to be here where I can focus my studies to my area of interest:  agriculture.

I have lived here on the Central Coast my whole life. I grew up in Atascadero where I was active in the Cerro Alto 4-H club. What brought me to 4-H initially was my love for agriculture, specifically in the area of livestock. I showed for ten years at the California Mid-State Fair:  eight years with sheep, and my last two years I showed steers and a heifer. My sheep showing career was highlighted with a 4-H Champion Market Lamb; however, I also loved working with cattle. To get some extra time in showing, my last two years exhibiting I showed in several jackpots...including Western Bonanza!

I am so excited to be on this year's Western Bonanza team! I know how hard participants work to prepare their animals in preparation for this jackpot. Having been on the "other side of the show ring", as a participant myself, I am looking forward to meeting YOU...the participant and the Western Bonanza supporters!

As part of the Social Media and Publicity Committee, we would love to hear from you! I encourage you to keep up with our Western Bonanza Blog! Please send us your comments and don't forget, we're also on Facebook!

See you at the Bonanza!

Cortney Newby

Meet the Social Media and Publicity Committee Chairs

Hi!

My name is Malorie Bankhead, and I am a second year agriculture science/communications major at Cal Poly with a concentration in animal science. This is my second year in Western Bonanza. Last year I was on the Media and Publicity Committee. Our hope this year is to continue the success of the fairly new Social Media and Publicity Committee and develop it further into its existence as a part of Western Bonanza.
A few of our responsibilities in the Social Media and Publicity Committee are to maintain and update the Facebook page, manage the BRAND NEW Western Bonanza Blog, Livestream the livestock rings the weekend of Western Bonanza, and provide tools for the media to capture Western Bonanza's story! We hope to have a very successful 27th Western Bonanza February 18-20, 2011, and we hope to see you there!

I am very excited to serve as a committee chair for the Social Media and Publicity Committee of Western Bonanza. I grew up on a small cow/calf operation in Livermore, CA. I have had a passion for agriculture all my life. I raised hogs, steers, and lambs in 4-H and FFA for eight years of my life. This past summer, showing as a 5th year member of the Livermore FFA, I exhibited the Alameda County Fair Champion Market Hog! It was my greatest accomplishment in showing livestock. Although I only showed my first steer at one jackpot, I really like the livestock show atmosphere. The smell of competition and perfection in the air really makes me happy for the youth who are working hard to showcase their passion:  their livestock. I have served as many offices in 4-H and FFA including secretary and president. I also served the North Coast Region FFA as Vice President my junior and senior years in high school. I served as a charter member of the Alameda County Fair Youth Advisory Group, helping form decisions about the livestock show at my county fair. I have also worked at the Alameda County Fair in the exhibits department the past three summers, and I have assisted with Livestock DNA sample collection facilities at the California State Fair for the past two summers. In 2009 I won the CA FFA State Prepared Public Speaking Contest and placed among the top 16 at the National Contest in Indiana at National Convention. I also served as the 2009 CA Beef Ambassador, and this past year I served as a member of the National Beef Ambassador Team. As a part of that five person team I traveled to eight states helping run various consumer promotion events like the Boston Marathon Beef Booth, the New York State Fair Beef Culinary Stage, and the D.C. Cooking and Entertaining Show. This year I look forward to being a charter member of the National Beef Speakers Bureau, targeting consumers and educating them about the importance of beef in a healthy diet as well as sharing the beef production story. I am also serving as the Cal Poly Young Cattlemen's Committee Secretary this year, as well.

I am very excited for Cal Poly's 27th Western Bonanza, February 18-20, 2011. Don't forget entries close February 1, 2011! You can enter online, here!

Please check back DAILY on this blog for information about Western Bonanza! I, personally, am VERY excited about this blog! We hope you enjoy it! Also, don't forget to let us know how we are doing in the comment section below! Thank you!

Best wishes,
Malorie