Jennifer Ann Smith, 17, was recently crowned the new Texas Angus Queen. — American Angus Association photo

Feb. 23, 2006 - Being the Miss Texas Angus Queen is not about wearing a crown and looking pretty, it’s about the hard work, dedication, and knowledge of the breed that proceeds the crowning. Just ask Jennifer Ann Smith.

Smith is a sophomore at Waskom High School. The 17-year-old was recently crowned Miss Texas Angus at the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show in Fort Worth. 

“I feel very honored to be selected as Miss Texas Angus,” said Smith. “It has been a dream of mine since I was a young girl.” And as a young girl, Smith began working on a long resume that would one day qualify her for her current title. 

Meridee Wells, Texas Angus Auxiliary Queen Chairperson, said becoming Queen is an extensive process. First, the girl (between the ages of 16 and 19) must be a member of the American Angus Association and the Texas Junior Angus Association (for at least two years). The entrant’s parents must be a member of the state Angus association and the mother has to be a member of the Texas Angus Auxiliary.

“It’s very involved,” Wells said. She added that entrants must first fill out a long application (approximately 20 pages) that details their work with Angus cattle. Every sort of participation is weighed. It considers participation in the show ring and in Angus-related competitions (like cook-offs, speaking competitions, and writing events).

“So if they have not done all that, obviously they’re not going to be qualified,” explained Wells.

Once the applications are received (along with three letters of recommendation, an essay, school transcripts, and newspaper clippings and photos), selected entrants are interviewed by three judges in Fort Worth during the Exposition. (The Texas Angus Association’s headquarters are located in Fort Worth).

Wells said it was Smith’s essay that first caught the attention of the judges. “It was written to win,” she said. But, Smith felt she was strongest in her interview.

“I believe I was selected based upon my self-confidence and calmness during the interview,” said Smith.

The fact is, Smith has a long list of attributes that helped her obtain the title.

She comes from a cattle family. Her father has raised cattle for nearly 20 years, and she has been around the breed, doing the work of a cattle rancher’s daughter, her entire life. She has been active in 4-H and FFA. Her showing career began when she was nine and she has competed in a plethora of FFA and 4-H competitions. She makes good grades and she has a list of show wins that includes several national titles - enough to easily fill the 20-page application.

Wells said that Smith’s showing experience (as well as breed knowledge) will come in handy during her reign. As Miss Texas Angus Queen, Smith will be required to be in the show ring at certain events and hand out ribbons. “Some girls also do ring work (like corralling cattle and helping young children show),” said Wells. Showing skills are so important, said Wells that “I don’t think we’ve ever had a Queen that didn’t show.”

Smith likely won’t mind her showing duties, as she said it is one of her favorite aspects of working with cattle. “When it comes to show cattle, I enjoy the day-to-day activities of washing, blowing, and working with the cattle,” she said. “Actually, showing cattle is what I believe I am best at.”

Smith will spend  the next year showing off her knowledge and qualifications as she wears her crown to several events. 

Wells said Smith will be required to attend certain shows, work association booths at conventions, attend field days, and at each will be responsible for being a spokesperson for the breed. Smith will speak to young children about the opportunities they have with Angus cattle, like showing, speaking competitions, and many of the activities that she has mastered. In addition, she will have to communicate her knowledge about the breed to those seeking answers from her.

“(The Queen) needs to know more than just the basics of Angus cattle,” said Wells. “We want girls that have had some involvement in the association prior (to being crowned).”

Still, Smith feels she is up to the challenge. “I don’t think any part of being Miss Texas Angus will be hard,” she said. In fact, she’s looking forward to every bit of it. “I look forward to meeting people out in the cattle industry. I feel that it is giving me an opportunity to give back to some organizations that have given me so much.”

And when her reign is over, she plans on continuing to promote and work with the Angus breed.

“Working with cattle is second nature to me,” Smith said. “I enjoy all aspects of the cattle industry. I also enjoy the production end of the cattle industry. I like watching the embryo transfer working that we have done at our place and have thought I might want to give that a try one day.”

In addition to learning how to preform an embryo transfer, the capable Queen, who has been nicknamed “Angus Barbie,” has made several long-term plans.

Once she graduates high school, Smith plans on attending Texas A&M University in College Station to obtain a degree in Animal Science, and then continue working with the Angus breed.

“I want to always own and work with Angus cattle because that is where my heart is,” said Smith.

And Wells thinks Smith can accomplish it all. “She’s certainly going to excel in anything she sets her mind to because she’s very driven,” said Wells. “I think she’s a capable young lady who will represent our breed well.”