Junior Handler Awards

4. A. Exemplary Junior Award – Honors a junior handler who has demonstrated exemplary sportsmanship and dedication to the GSMD in the preceding year through participation in AKC’s

Junior Handler Program (provide AKC Handler number on nomination) and various events or community service that has contributed to the welfare of the breed or the GSMDCA. The parent or guardian of the junior must be a member of the GSMDCA. If no qualified candidates are nominated the Board may elect not to present the award in that award year. Initiated at the 2006 Snowmass, Colorado National Specialty. In 2024, the GSMDCA created two new awards for our GSMDCA Junior Handlers, intended to reward GSMD Junior Handlers academic achievements and maintain their enthusiastic interest in the sport of purebred dogs. See 4.C below for changes to this award beginning in 2025.

4. B The GSMDCA National Specialty Award was introduced in 2024 and will recognize and support our GSMD Junior Handlers achievements in the Junior Showmanship ring at the National Specialty. The GSMDCA National Specialty Award will be given to the Best Junior in the GSMDCA National Specialty junior competition. The Award will be a $100 gift card of the NS Host Committee’s choosing. Eligibility: 1. The handler must be between the ages of 9 and 19. 2. Must be correctly entered and compete in the Juniors’ classes at a GSMDCA National Specialty.

4. C The GSMDCA Juniors Achievement Award will be offered only in 2024 in addition to the Exemplary Junior award under the rules in place prior to this change. This award will recognize the Junior’s achievements both in the breed and academically and will follow the rules outlined below. Beginning in 2025 the Exemplary Junior Award and the Junior Achievement Award shall be combined into a single award called the GSMDCA Exemplary Junior Award and follow the eligibility and application process outlined here. This award may be awarded annually to a junior through an application process organized and managed by a Board designated committee. The final selection of the winner of this award will be made by the Board of Directors. The Award will be presented at the National Specialty and include an award of $500 to the junior selected. If no applications are received, or the committee deems there are no qualified applications, the award will not be given in that year. Eligibility requirements: 1. Applicants must be between the ages of 9 and 19. 2. Applicants must either be an individual member or part of a household membership of the GSMDCA or said Junior’s GSMD owner must be a member. 3. Applicants must submit an official application form with all required pieces no later than August 1 of the award year. The most current application form is available on the GSMDCA website. 4. Applicants must be in the top 10 junior handler rankings for GSMD at the time the application is submitted 5. Applications will include the following:

• Copy of the Junior’s official school transcripts from the most current 2 school semesters showing a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Evidence, in a manner which can be confirmed with AKC records, of their interest and participation in showing GSMD by competing in a combination of Junior Showmanship and dog show breed or performance competitions.
• Include information on additional activities with a GSMD, e.g., regional club, community service, therapy, rescue, education, etc. This information will be considered but is not a requirement to qualify for the award.
• 300–400-word essay describing their experience with, and interest in GSMD.

All personal information included on this application will remain confidential except that the name of the Junior winning the award and a brief biography will be included with the announcement of the award. Scholarship will be awarded at the GSMDCA National Specialty.