Poodle Club of America Juniors
What a GREAT TIME for PCA Juniors! While entries around the country statistically show a slow decline, the Junior entries at the 2015 PCA Nationals were greater than 90% of Parent Clubs in the United States. Juniors participated in several disciplines, as well as two new attendees that joined us at our annual Juniors Round Table luncheon. It was exciting to welcome new faces seeking a mentor, and expressing great interest in the PCA Junior Education Program. Once again, Michael Knight came through with the contribution of the hospitality room for this event. Thanks, Michael!
From the Purina bags filled with donated items, to the Raffle Tickets that SOLD OUT; the PCA Junior Education thanks the supporters at the Greatest Show on Earth. All proceeds go towards future programs designed to encourage, educate, and engage Juniors – the future of our sport!
This year the PCA Juniors had the opportunity to attend three different learning seminars. The first on Monday; Laura Thistle donated her time teaching Canine First Aid and CPR. Thank you, Laura! Tuesday afternoon, a one on one grooming clinic, taught by Poodle professionals and headed up by committee member Terri Meyers. Wednesday the professionals were on the grass giving handling classes and training tips in Conformation, Obedience, and Rally. We GREATLY appreciate that the Poodle handlers continue to donate their time. After all it is their busiest week of the year!
Wednesday also offered fun, playing games featuring PCA Poodle Facts during the midday Round Table pizza lunch. Thank you PURINA, coming through once again with a donation of a ring side chair for the Poodle Trivia winner, Melanie Lopez. A refurbished and stocked tack box was won by Hanna Sunderman. Thank you, Cynthia Tylenda, for the generosity of your time and hard work making it all look brand new and to Barb Furbush, for donating the tack box.
Tammy Breckenridge was the winner of a beautiful Poodle quilt, crafted and donated by Cynthia Tylenda. Cynthia graciously donated a unique Poodle Quilt two years in a row as our re-occurring fundraiser. This was also the inaugural year of the 50/50 Raffle. The whopping five thousand dollar prize was awarded to Bruce Swift. Congratulations Tammy and Bruce! The PCA Junior Education Fund has grown to over $7,000 through your generous donations to the raffles. Thank you all for your time invested and to our donors from the fancy!
Congratulations to our BEST JUNIOR winners;
Matthew Tylenda – Best Junior / Conformation
Rachel Rivkin – Best Junior / Rally
Michael Borga – Best Junior / Agility
Trophies for the winners of the various disciplines included a lovely etched glass Poodle bowl, Oster products, Purina products, and over three hundred dollars in various gift cards
It’s an exciting time to be a PCA Junior. The PCA Anne Rogers Clark Junior Stipend Program has been launched and the guidelines are now pending final approval by the PCA Board of Directors. A stipend will be made available to a deserving Junior who qualifies and competes at Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Dog Show and/or the PCA National Specialty. (Stay tuned for more details!)
To all the parents, volunteers, handlers, PCA Junior Education Committee members, PCA Show Committee members, and the PCA Board of Directors we give a huge THANK YOU on behalf of the Juniors and the PCA Junior Education Program. We could not do this without your time, great ideas, fabulous donations, selfless efforts, and enthusiastic support!!
Our future is so bright, we have to wear shades!
