Mahaffey resident Megan Junod, 16, daughter of Tim and Betty Junod, was named Alternate Dairy Princess.
Mary Sankey Way, Clearfield County Dairy Promotion Committee member, welcomed the crowd of more than 60, noting some members of the farming community couldn’t attend.
“Haymaking time is upon us, and you know the old saying. Many of us were in the fields today and some are still there,” she said.
Farewell addresses were given by 2005-06 Dairy Maids Arianna Way of Clearfield and Brianna Beck of Cherry Tree. The girls recounted their year of public appearances, parade and ice cream socials and thanked the CCDPC for support.
Outgoing Dairy Princess Justine Flanagan of Glen Richey said, “I learned this is about a lot more than the sash and crown. I learned about our dairy industry and myself.
“Thank you all for your support. To the incoming princess, I tell you this is a lot of work but it’s worth it.”
Flanagan will enter Penn State in the fall to major in agriculture education.
The new Dairy Princess is the 19-year old daughter of Lisa LaBorde of Grampian and Thomas LaBorde of Curwensville. She will be a junior at Penn State, majoring in agriculture extension education with a minor in animal science.
She’s a member of the Penn State Blue Band, a little sister of Delta Theta Sigma and is employed by the Department of Dairy and Animal Science. Her future plans include becoming the Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture.
“I want everyone to know Clearfield County when they see me and know we have quality dairy products and quality dairy farmers,” she said of her reign.
Her alternate will be a senior at Curwensville High School, where she is active in numerous school organizations. She also plans to attend Penn State to major in agriculture business management and equine studies. Megan is also a member of the Harmony 4-H Club.
The new court received crowns, sashes, flowers and gifts from the promotion committee while LaBorde was presented with the first installment of a $500 grant from Allied Milk Producers, based in Cambria County.
Leon Meyer, Clearfield County Fair manager, served as master of ceremonies. Judges were Barbara Yaple of Houtzdale and 1985 Dairy Princess Holly Wriglesworth Boyer of Grampian. Musicians Megan and Chris McGarry, also of Grampian, provided the entertainment.
Clearfield County boasts about two dozen active dairy farms. Most milk is sold to Galliker’s Dairy while a few ship to Land O’ Lakes for butter production, according to Dawn Sankey, CCDPC member.