2004 Pennsylvania Dairy Princess Pageant
AMY
HARTLE FROM CENTRE COUNTY NAMED
48TH PENNSYLVANIA DAIRY PRINCESS
HARRISBURG: On Saturday, Sept.18, 2004, Amy Hartle, the Centre County Dairy Princess from Bellefonte, was selected the Pennsylvania Dairy Princess at the 48th coronation in Camp Hill. Thirty-two county dairy princesses competed in the three-day event, which culminated on Saturday, September 18. Each contestant presented a speech and skit promoting milk and dairy products, in addition to being interviewed by a panel of four judges. Contestants are evaluated on their public speaking skills, knowledge of the dairy industry, poise and personality.
Amy was one of two skit winners and an honorable mention speech winner. Dressed as a pirate, she presented her skit, “Search for the Real Treasure,” to the audience of nearly 500. Amy was crowned by Carla Martin, the outgoing State Dairy Princess from Lancaster County.
Amy is the daughter of Tom and Lori Hartle, and is active on her family dairy farm, where they milk 170 registered Holsteins. She serves as vice president for the Centre County 4-H Dairy Club, is a member of National Honor Society and volunteers for the Centre County Senior Citizens. This fall, she plans to volunteer as a high school cross-country coach, with the Big Brother/Big Sister Program and at the local women’s resource center. Amy is a 2004 graduate of Bellefonte Area High School and after serving for a year as the Pennsylvania Dairy Princess, she plans to attend Marywood University for criminal justice next fall.
Kelly Over, Blair County Dairy Princess from Williamsburg, was selected First Alternate. She is the daughter of Glen and Cathy Over and was also selected Miss Congeniality by her fellow contestants. Kelly is a junior at Williamsburg High School and was crowned by Pamela Werley, the outgoing First Alternate from Berks County.
Kelly lives on a 300-acre farm, where they milk nearly 100 Holsteins and Jerseys. She is the vice president of her FFA chapter, and active in the Library Club, National Honor Society, Volleyball Team, Speech Team, Buccaneer (the school newspaper) and the Fairview Church of the Brethren Youth Fellowship. Kelly plans to attend college for business after graduation next year.
Sarah Wickard, Cumberland County Dairy Princess from Shippensburg was selected Second Alternate. She is the daughter of Lonni and Vickie Wickard and was an honorable mention skit winner. Sarah is a junior at Shippensburg High School and was crowned by Emily Grove, the outgoing Second Alternate from Franklin County.
Sarah lives on a 260-acre farm, where they milk nearly 75 Holsteins and Brown Swiss. She is the president of her FFA chapter, secretary of her 4-H Dairy Club and active in the school band and church youth group and choir. Sarah enjoys singing, and playing the flute and piano.
In addition to Amy, Kelly and Sarah, four other finalists were selected:
In addition to Amy Hartle, Gwen Switzer, the Berks County Dairy Princess from Womelsdorf, presented her winning skit entitled, “3-A-Day” at the pageant. In addition to Rachel Herman, Erica Kresge, the Perry County Dairy Princess from Loysville, presented her winning speech, entitled, “An Amazing Glass of Milk” to the audience.
Tioga County’s Angela Sweely from Millerton was recognized for her honorable mention skit. Lancaster County’s Kathy Zimmerman from Reinholds was selected for her honorable mention speech. Honorable mention scrapbook winners were Bedford County’s Kristin Wilkins from Manns Choice, Erie County’s Katie Shreve from Union City, and Wayne County’s Grace Howell from Waymart.
Overall judges for the pageant were Jerrel Heatwole from Greenwood, Del., Becky King from Schuylerville, N.Y., Marty Potts from Purcellville, Va., and Paul Rovey from Glendale, Ariz. Speech judges were Dr. MeeCee Baker from Port Royal, Amy Bradford from Harrisburg, and Kirk Sattazahn from Myerstown. Scrapbook judges were Amy Kelsey from Canastota, N.Y., and Debra Spurrier from Frederick, Md. Master of ceremonies for the pageant was Jeff Myers from Westminster, Md.
The new state dairy royalty will represent Pennsylvania’s dairy industry and its 9,000 dairy farm families during the upcoming year. The dairy industry is the state’s largest agricultural industry contributing $1.6 billion and 40,000 jobs to the state’s economy.
Milk is Pennsylvania’s official beverage and is part of the national 3-A-Day of Dairy program, which encourages consumers to have 3 servings of milk, cheese or yogurt each day as part of an overall healthy diet. Studies show dairy foods offer benefits beyond bone health, including lowering blood pressure and maintaining a healthy weight.
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Seven Finalists: Front: (l. to r.) Kelly Over, Blair County, First Alternate Dairy Princess; Amy Hartle, Centre County; PA Dairy Princess; Sarah Wickard, Cumberland County, Second Alternate Dairy Princess. Back: (l. to r.) Rachel Herman, Bradford County; Janelle Zimmerman, Lebanon County; Nicole Park, Indiana County; Emily Caldwell, Beaver County.
Presentation and Speech Winners: (l. to r.) Presentation Winners: Gwen Switzer, Berks County; Amy Hartle, Centre County; Speech Winners: Rachel Herman, Bradford County; Erica Kresge, Perry County.
Scrapbook Winners: (l. to r.) Rachel Herman, Bradford County and Janelle Zimmerman, Lebanon County
Miss Congeniality: Kelly Over, Blair County