Rising Star Awards

Erin Williams

Erin Williams, NJC

Erin Williams is an NJC Sophomore from Fresno, California currently studying Liberal Arts at Northeastern. She is also a member of the NJC Women’s Basketball team. In her free time, Erin enjoys reading, cooking, and writing music, most of all, playing basketball.  Her career goals include becoming a music songwriter and producer. After NJC, Erin plans to attend a 4-year university to study business or marine biology. She is extremely passionate about ocean cleaning causes that manage to lessen the pollution in the ocean and care for the animals in that environment.  

Kellum Carnahan 

Kellum Carnahan, NJC

Kellum Carnahan is a sophomore from Julesburg, Colorado, currently studying Animal Science and Agriculture Business at Northeastern Junior College. He is also a member of the NJC Livestock Judging Team and was recently featured on the NJC episode of The College Tour TV series. Kellum enjoys looking at livestock, singing, playing and creating his own country and worship music, and raising cattle. In his free time, Kellum participates in both College Farm Bureau and NJC Aggies, and participates in the worship team for the campus ministry, The Source. After NJC, he plans to attend Kansas State University to further pursue his animal science and ag business degree as well as continue his judging career.  For his long-term career goals, Kellum plans to pursue a livestock judging coach position at the college or university level after he receives his master’s degree with a long-term goal of raising registered Angus cattle in hopes of making the beef industry more efficient and profitable for the commercial rancher. When asked what he is most passionate about, Kellum says, “One of my biggest goals in life is to inspire the people around me to be the best version of themselves they can. I love coaching livestock judging and am passionate about spreading the love of Christ to the world.” Kellum also graciously volunteers his time as an assistant coach for the Phillips County 4H Judging Team and the NJC Freshman Judging Team. 

Phi Theta Kappa All-Colorado Academic Team

Academic Transfer Students

Faythe Eichler 

Faythe is from Gypsum, Colorado and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the NJC Aggies club, while double majoring in Agriculture Business and Animal Science at Northeastern Junior College. Faythe’s interests include anything agriculture related, volunteering, and shopping. She also loves to attend livestock shows and helping younger kids with their livestock projects. After graduating at NJC, she plans to attend the University of Wyoming to receive her Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Business. Faythe actively volunteers through Phi Theta Kappa and the Aggies Club. She has helped collect canned food for the canned food drive and assists with the Aggies Blood Drive each semester. She also helped with the Annual Aggies Oyster Fry and will help advocate for agriculture during National Ag Appreciation Week. Faythe states, “I am extremely passionate about agriculture and making sure people know just how important it is to the world. I also like to make sure that the livestock industry does not continue to get a bad name like some people think it has.” 

Jada Thurber

Jada is from Rigby, Idaho and is an active member of the Northeastern Junior College Livestock Judging Team and Phi Theta Kappa, while double majoring in Agriculture Business and Animal Science. Jada’s interests include livestock, business and economics. When she is not travelling the country competing at collegiate livestock judging contests, she enjoys riding horses, golfing and spending time with her family and friends. After NJC, Jada plans to continue her education to receive a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Business with a minor in Accounting, and ultimately a Master’s degree in Ag Business. Career wise, Jada’s goals include working as a loan officer for a farm credit bank and would love to start her own business in the livestock industry. Jada states, “I will always advocate for agriculture. Agricultural industries truly bring everything together; the world cannot live without it. A world without agriculture would be miserable; there would be no food, clothing, and many other necessities. An industry that feeds you is an industry worth fighting for.” 

State Student Advisory Council

Brock White, Representative

Northeastern Junior College

Bio and Photo not available.