Mr. IGRA 2024
Andy Siekkinen was born and raised on a dairy farm in northeastern Ohio. He earned a Bachelors in Chemistry at Hiram College, a Masters in Nanoparticle Chemistry at the University of Washington (synthesis of silver nanoparticles), and another Masters in Botany/Evolutionary Biology from Claremont Graduate University/California Botanic Garden (genetics of the genus Hechtia (Bromeliaceae)). He has worked in R&D, biotech, led tours to Mexico, and is now building a nursery while apprenticing at a wholesale nursery. He continues his botanical research independently on over a decade's worth of fieldwork in Mexico. He has described and named 16 species new to science (two more in press), has over 50 more discoveries in the process of being described, and will be honored by having a species named after him soon.
Throughout his life, Andy has been actively involved in clubs. As the youngest of five, he was attending 4-H from his earliest memories. He continued with sports and other extracurricular activities throughout high school and college. Awards include being the first Gustavus township Homecoming King and first Trumbull County Dairy King (both first years open to both genders for the single award), was the 4-H Fair King, the 2022 Mr. Palm Springs Hot Rodeo, and was recently awarded one of the first annual Jim Brown Memorial award from MIGRA. He is the current vice president of the Greater Palm Springs Chapter of GSGRA and secretary of GSGRA.
Andy found the IGRA circuit when a friend invited him to the 2017 Palm Springs Hot Rodeo. After spectating for several years, life gave him the opportunity to participate in the 2022 Phoenix Gay Rodeo school and he has been competing since.