AKC Junior Foundation expands, awards scholarships, and spotlights young handlers at its annual invitational event
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First some background. Two years ago, some local American Kennel Club (AKC) dog show participants who are avid Junior supporters agreed to work together and create a Junior Foundation—to support Juniors! Since then, the foundation has grown from only Colorado All-Breed Kennel Clubs to also include Wyoming All-Breed Kennel Clubs. In 2024, they provided four Junior Scholarships, and in 2025, they provided five Junior Scholarships. The 2025 Junior Showcase Event was blessed to have great support from many sponsors, including main sponsor, SHOWSIGHT, which sponsored two scholarships.
The Junior Foundation’s event is, like the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin and The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, an “Annual Invitational Event,” and this year the Foundation was honored to have AKC President Gina DiNardo attend and help with presenting the awards. Gina was impressed with the entire Junior event, as it is well above a typical weekend cluster Best of the Best.
Gina even took time to visit with many of the sport’s young handlers. The AKC President and the Junior Foundation President collaborated on how to create other events like this for honoring Juniors; and hopefully, soon, the AKC will have a new Junior Event (program) styled like ours as a Regional Junior Event to showcase our great Juniors all across the US!
Twenty-six Juniors qualified and were invited this year. The event had two preliminary sets, judged by Gayle Denman and Brandy Greenhagan (both members of Greeley Kennel Club, the host club). Three Juniors from each preliminary set were selected to go forward to the Finals. Cindy Stansell then judged the six finalists: Anja Cikara-Gocke, Tatum Duvall, Isabele Pelto, Owen Steffen, Kaylee Wagoner, and Casey Walker.
All the Junior finalists were outstanding! Best Junior was Ms. Anja Cikara-Gocke, who received a $1,000 Scholarship, sponsored by SHOWSIGHT. Reserve Best Junior was Mr. Owen Steffen, and he earned a $500 Scholarship, sponsored by Karen Benanati of Equity Colorado Real Estate. Ms. Roxanne Bashor, Greeley KC’s Vice President and a former Junior, was this year’s Event Chair. She did a wonderful job, updating technology, doing personal invitations, selecting ribbons and prizes, coordinating swag bag content, booth space, and Junior snacks, while I was there to lend support.
The Foundation announced and awarded its highest honor, the Junior Sportsman Award, again this year. This is a truly distinguished Junior award, requiring an application process, and so much more than just a “left-handed circle” Best Junior win. The award takes into consideration how the Junior is actively involved in their national and local dog clubs, how and where they volunteer for the sport of dogs and beyond, their scholastic achievements, and, of course, at the sportsman component, and being an outstanding role model for the sport of purebred dogs.
This highest honor went to Ms. Kaylee Wagoner, and she received a $1,500 Scholarship, also generously sponsored by SHOWSIGHT.
Another award, perhaps the most special, is the Junior Foundation’s Junior’s Choice Award. This award is like a People’s Choice award; but in this case, the list of Junior invitees vote for who they feel is best among their peers, thereby selecting their own winner. This year there was a tie, so the Foundation provided two Scholarships of $250 each, to Mr. Mason McNear and Ms. Kaylee Wagoner; both scholarships were sponsored by Everything Dog, LLC.
AKC.TV was present and filmed the Junior winners, making their special day even more special! They honored Greeley Kennel Club’s Best and Reserve Juniors (Cameron Johnson and Demery Livingston); the Junior Foundation’s Best and Reserve Juniors (Anja Cikara-Gocke and Owen Steffen); the Junior Foundation’s Choice Award Winners (Mason McNear and Kaylee Wagoner); and then the highest annual award winner, the Junior Foundation’s Junior Sportsman of the Year, who was also Kaylee Wagoner.
How is this Junior event different in other ways? Well, again, it is not a weekend qualifying cluster Best of the Best Junior; it has an annual timeframe and requirements to qualify. It is a cooperative effort by the Junior Foundation Member Clubs, and the event rotates annually. The host club decorates (like clubs do for a sparkling Top 20); they provide tons of swag, outstanding ribbons, a fantastic Junior catalog, and they highlight each Junior on a photo display board and make each Junior who attends feel that they are truly important in the sport of dogs! Scholarships are then provided by the Junior Foundation through our generous sponsors.
For all Juniors, including any Junior who did not qualify for the annual event, the Junior Foundation offered a fun Junior Dog Show Bingo game. They had a variety of things to complete to earn a bingo or two, or even a “bingo black out.” Great prizes were given to any and all Juniors who participated!
Something else that the Junior Foundation does is politely suggest that Juniors help—and they do! The Juniors packed the swag bags, created their own Junior Photo Board, promoted people supporting some Silent Auction items and even a drawing for a Ruff Land crate. Of course, not all Juniors give their time in this way, but those who do enjoy giving back to the sport and being a part of making their own event something spectacular. The Foundation Board appreciates their time, their suggestions, and when they take charge!
“Yes—Juniors are the future,” says Junior Foundation President Groves, “but we should be working together to honor and support them now!” If you are interested in creating a Junior Foundation, reach out to Marlene. She is always willing to help dog clubs in other areas find ways to work together to encourage and honor Juniors.
Congratulations to all the Juniors who qualified, to the six finalists, and to those who secured an event win and a scholarship!
Huge gratitude goes to the 2025 Main Sponsors: SHOWSIGHT; Karen Benenati, Equity Colorado Real Estate; Everything Dog LLC; Harmony Dog Sports LLC; Rakkasan DTF Custom Prints; Royal B Threads LLC; Chernaya Voda Borzoi; and Buffalo Groves – Bloodhound Ranch!
Much appreciation to the 2025 Annual Sponsors: AKC Junior Task Force; Akiko Akitas and Beagles; Centennial Shetland Sheepdog Club; Chernaya Voda Borzoi; Katie Gaffney; Great Plans Land Company; Harmony Cairns; Cassie Noe; Thistle B Rat Terriers; Under the Sun; Waggin Tails Doggy Day Care; and The Walker Family!
Other Supporting Clubs are: Cairn Terrier Club of Denver; Mile High Rottweiler Club; Pikes Peak Fit Dog Club; and the Rocky Mountain Hound Club.
Junior Foundation Supporting Judges are: Mary DeLisa; Marlene Groves; Cynthia Hutt; Louise Leonne; Kari Loken; Cassie Noe; and Nancy Russell.
The Junior Foundation hopes more clubs will organize and work together to support Juniors. By working together, we can do greater things for Juniors and the sport of purebred dogs. For more information on the Junior Foundation, visit: www.coloradojuniorfoundation.org, or contact President Marlene Groves, EM: marlene@buffalogroves.com; home phone: 303-621-1111; cell phone: 303-243-0440.
The Junior Foundation is made up of these forward-thinking and Junior-supportive clubs: Arapahoe Kennel Club; Cheyenne Kennel Club; Colorado Kennel Club; Greeley Kennel Club; Laramie Kennel Club; Plum Creek Kennel Club; and the Southern Colorado Kennel Club. The Foundation would not exist without their support.
Talk about a fun and exciting celebration of today’s young handlers, the 2nd Annual Junior Foundation’s Best of the Best Showcase brought together so many talented Juniors and their supporters, thanks to this unique invitational that is sure to inspire other clubs around the country to duplicate the experience. Owing to the hard work of many area club members, and with support from local and national sponsors (and AKC President Gina DiNardo), the event demonstrated the effectiveness of offering local Juniors an opportunity to prove they can “show up” every bit as well as they can show their dogs. Each of the young handlers invited to compete at this year’s event in Colorado was there because they are talented, certainly, but also due to their volunteerism and the support they’ve extended outside the ring. Talent is one thing, but it doesn’t compare to having the dedication and commitment needed to ensure a bright future for the sport. This year’s Juniors had it all, and it was a privilege to watch each of them demonstrate their skills and their resourcefulness at the Greeley Kennel Club’s Diamond Jubilee.
A personal thank you to Marlene Groves for extending the invitation to participate in this year’s event. It was a blast!
—Dan Sayers, SHOWSIGHT
Meet the Junior Handlers
Junior Handler Jemma Panzarino shares her journey in the sport, memorable wins and experiences, and goals for the future with purebred dogs.
