Courtney Luskin from Hoosic Valley, Rensselaer County, was crowned the 2013-2014 New York State Dairy Princess on February 21 at the Holiday Inn in Liverpool, NY. Having served as the Rensselaer County Dairy Princess since spring of 2012, Luskin will devote an additional year promoting milk and dairy products with the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council, Inc. (ADADC). [private]As State Princess, Luskin receives a $1,200 scholarship and will represent ADADC at county dairy princess pageants, farm meetings and a variety of special events. In addition, she will help train new county promoters at seminars and workshops. Sponsored by ADADC, the 50th annual coronation completed the year long reign of Emma Andrew, of Newark, NY.
Meghan Rohe, of Onondaga County was named first Alternate State Princess, and Claudia Hauslauer of Livingston County was selected as second Alternate State Princess. They receive a $700 scholarship and $600 scholarship, respectively. Both young women will assist the State Dairy Princess with training, appearances and other duties.
All three young women were named as speech winners. Rohe and Hauslauer also received top marks on a product knowledge exam.
Some 19 county dairy princesses from throughout New York competed in the State pageant which included a personal interview, an impromptu and a prepared adult speech, a product knowledge exam, a writing skills test and informal interaction with others. Judges evaluated the contestants on their communication skills, knowledge of the dairy industry, poise and personality.
The American Dairy Association & Dairy Council, Inc. is the local promotion and management organization funded by dairy farmer checkoff dollars. It works closely with Dairy Management Inc. and is responsible for increasing demand for U.S. produced dairy products on behalf of New York, northern New Jersey and northeastern Pennsylvania dairy farmers.
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