Dairy princess contest a go

Cancellation of event pondered; organizers say 52nd annual event held at River Lodge will be an evening of positive news in times of trouble

Originally published in the "4-30-09" issue.



Despite the uncertain future of Humboldt Creamery, the 52 annual District 1 Dairy Princess Contest will take place on May 8 at the River Lodge in Fortuna.

“We seriously sat down and said, ‘Should we even do this’,” said contest Chairman and member of the District 1 California Milk Advisory Board Mary Ann Renner. “I asked my husband, Dave (a Humboldt Creamery board member), What do you think?’ He didn’t waste a second telling me, ‘You’re going to do it’.”

Renner, whose daughter is the current District 1 Dairy Princess, took her husband’s advice, adding that “we need something good happening around here.”

Renner said the evening will be “downsized” somewhat. Instead of upward of 400 attendees and meals served, Renner and co-organizer Sylvia Leonardo anticipate about a 20 percent drop in attendance, due both to the economy and the uncertainty for the local dairy industry.

Renner said organizers understand if attendees in the past can’t buy

“There’s always next year,” she said. “We don’t want to pressure anyone. We understand but this is such a positive program and we still need to promote the dairy industry and its products.”

In addition, this year’s dinner, competition and door prize giveaway should be short and sweet.

Compared to previous years where there have been as many as 12 contestants competing for the crown, there are only three contestants this year, competing for the royal court which consists of princess and first and second alternate.

Kerilyn Ambrosini, Brooke Chrisler, and Rachel Phillips will vie for the princess title, scholarships, and awards.

The contestants will be judged on poise, speaking ability, dairy background, community involvement, and future plans, explained Renner. The winner of the contest will represent the dairy industry in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties. She will replace the current Dairy Princess, Alayna Renner, of Ferndale, who is a senior at Ferndale High and will be attending Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, as an agriculture science major this fall.

Ambrosini, daughter of Larry and Ronda Ambrosini, is a junior at Ferndale High School.

She is a ten-year member of the Ferndale 4-H club where she has served in the offices of vice-president and treasurer, and is the current presiding president of the club. She has earned a Gold Star rank and has raised and shown dairy heifers at local fairs.

Ambrosini is a member of the Humboldt County All Star Team which was instrumental in putting on the Humboldt County Youth Summit this year at Humboldt State University.

She is a member of the Ferndale FFA for the past three years and has recently been elected to the office of North Coast Region Humboldt/Del Norte Section vice president. She has just completed the term of Humboldt/Del Norte Section president, has earned her State FFA Degree, and is a debater on the Advanced Parliamentary Procedure team which recently competed in Fresno at the FFA State Convention.

At Ferndale High, Ambrosini is amember of the California Scholastic Federation, served as class president, and was amember of the volleyball team and basketball cheerleading squad. She enjoys raising animals, tennis, running and riding dirt bikes. She is currently employed as a waitress and plans to attend either UC Davis or Cal Poly as an ag engineering major.

Chrisler, daughter of Andrew and Tamara Chrisler, is a junior at Eureka High. Brooke is a member of the Eureka FFA and has served in the office of Eureka FFA sentinel. She has participated in both the national and state FFA conventions as a talent singer. Brooke raises steers and competes on the horse judging team and in job interview competitions. At Eureka High, she participates on the varsity cheer squad, has been honored as a scholar athlete, and a member of the California Scholastic Federation.

Chrisler is an 11-year member of Freshwater 4-H and has held many offices including serving as president of the club. She is a member of the Humboldt County 4-H All Star Team which organizes county events such as the Humboldt County 4-H Awards night. She raises lambs for local fairs has had three grand champion lambs.

Chrisler enjoys competing in dressage competitions and has placed 3rd at the California Junior State Dressage Championships with her horse. She also enjoys raising jersey heifers for the heifer replacement sale at the Humboldt County Fair, snow boarding, wake boarding, and singing. She is currently employed as a riding instructor.

Phillips, daughter of John and Cheryl Phillips of McKinleyville, is a junior at Arcata High School. She has been an active participant on the Arcata FFA dairy products judging team for the past three years and also helps out working on a local dairy farm. At Arcata High, Rachel has been the chapter vice president for the past two years and is currently running for the position of chapter president. She has attended the FFA state and national conventions, was the Star Chapter Farmer recipient, and competes in job interview events. She is a Kiwanis volunteer and petting zoo volunteer.Her hobbies include playing volleyball, softball, FFA, Interact Club, traveling, and raising swine and sheep for the local fairs.

Tickets and sponsorships are available by calling 725-9497. Sponsorships for $60 include two complimentary dinner tickets and inclusion in the program. Dinner tickets are $25 each.