From the American Dairy Association North East
 |
| Left to right: 2nd Alternate Erin Armitage, State Dairy Princess Natalie Vernon and 1st Alternate Rachel Rouland. |
Natalie Vernon of Wayne County was
named the 2020-2021 New York State Dairy Princess Tuesday night at the Holiday
Inn in Salina, outside Syracuse.
She has served as the Wayne County
Dairy Princess since spring of 2019. She will now spend the next year
advocating for the dairy industry throughout New York state.
As state princess, she receives
a $1,200 scholarship and will serve as a dairy industry ambassador and
spokesperson, working with the American Dairy Association North East to
represent dairy farmers at a variety of special events, including the New York
State Fair, county dairy princess pageants, farmer meetings, fairs and school
visits.
She will also play an integral role
in the training and mentoring of new county dairy princesses.
Named first alternate state princess
was Rachel Rouland of Monroe County. Erin Armitage of Washington County was
named second alternate state princess. They receive a $700 scholarship and $600
scholarship, respectively. Both will assist the New York State Dairy Princess
with training, appearances and other duties.
Twenty-two county dairy princesses
competed in the state pageant, which included a personal interview, impromptu
questions, a prepared adult speech, a product knowledge exam, writing skills
test, and informal interaction with others.
Judges evaluated the contestants on
their communication skills, knowledge of the dairy industry, poise and
personality. Judges were: Tracy Smith, Warren County, N.J., Dairy Princess
Coordinator & So-N-So Acres Farm; Mike Weimer, Classifier, Holstein
Association USA; and Holly Pullis, Hollywood Enterprises & Roedale Farm.
Heidi Kovalewski,
Onondaga County Dairy Promotions chairperson, was presented with the Golden Cow
award, given annually to recognize outstanding service and dedication to local
dairy promotion in New York state.
The American Dairy Association North
East sponsors the dairy princess competition each year. This was the 57th
annual pageant.
The outgoing state dairy princess
was Reegan Domagala of Lewis County.
