Congrats to Lyndsey Royek of Erie County is the new 2007-2008 Pennsylvania State Dairy Princess! Lyndsey was crowned on Saturday, September 29 at the 51st Pennsylvania Dairy Princess Pageant. Her royal court includes 1st Alternate Stephanie Beeman of Cumberland County and Sarah Weimer of Clarion-Venango Counties.
The contestants were judged on their public speaking skills, knowledge of the dairy industry, poise and personality. Each contestant prepared a speech and skit promoting milk and dairy products, and participated in a personal interview with a panel of four judges. The new dairy promotion team will travel the state for the next year representing the dairy industry – the commonwealth’s top agricultural industry that contributes $4.2 billion to the economy.
A junior at Corry Area High School, Lyndsey is the daughter of Walter and Lisa Royek of Corry. The Royeks milk 55 Holsteins and Guernseys, of which Lyndsey owns six, on their 250-acre farm. Lyndsey is a member of her school’s swimming and soccer teams, and is active in 4-H and the Pennsylvania Junior Holstein and Guernsey associations. Her other hobbies include dancing, reading and showing cows. An avid dairy promoter, she hopes to attend Penn State University to earn a degree in marketing and pursue a career in the field.
Two alternates were chosen to support the Pennsylvania Dairy Princess. The First Alternate is 21-year-old Stephanie Beeman from Cumberland County. An honorable mention skit winner, Stephanie is a former state FFA officer and current sophomore at Harrisburg Area Community College. She plans to transfer to Penn State University next year to study agribusiness. Beeman is the daughter of Steven and Diane Beeman of Carlisle. Her grandfather and uncle operate dairy farms and she has raised dairy heifers.
Clarion-Venango County Dairy Princess Sarah Weimer was chosen as Second Alternate after being named one of two speech winners. Sarah’s parents are Mike and Cindy Weimer of Emlenton and they operate Solid Gold Holsteins and farm 162 acres. Sarah owns 14 Holsteins and Guernseys and is active in both breeds’ state junior associations, along with her county 4-H program. A senior at Keystone High School, Sarah is also enrolled in Clarion University’s early admission program after spending part of the summer traveling in Europe with another school program.