The Keystone state has new royalty – the 52nd Pennsylvania State Dairy Princess was chosen this weekend. The dairy crown was awarded to LeeAnn Kapanick of Meadville, Pa. Two alternates were chosen to support the Pennsylvania dairy princess. The first alternate is 16-year-old Nicole Wasson of Centre County and the second alternate is Lawrence County Dairy Princess Abigail Trotter.
Princesses from 26 counties competed for the title. 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.
A senior at Sagertown High School, LeeAnn works at Schmidt Farms, a local dairy, owns three Holsteins and is active in 4-H. LeeAnn’s parents John and Stephanie Kapanick operate a 400-acre crop farm and raise beef cattle. In school, LeeAnn is involved in the key, history and Spanish clubs; student council; and plays on the varsity basketball team. She also coaches third and fourth grade girls’ basketball.
An honorable mention speech winner, Nicole has been active in dairy promotion for 10 years. Nicole is the daughter of Ronald and Candace Wasson of State College, and they farm 800 acres and milk 45 cows, five of which Nicole owns. She is a 4-H member and a state and national Junior Holstein member. A junior at State College Area High School, Nicole is a majorette, FFA member, wrestling manager and a Little Lion ambassador.
Abby’s parents are Dave and Jill Trotter of Enon Valley where they operate Trotacre Farm and Cowlicks Ice Cream Store. The Trotters milk 150 Holsteins and Guernseys and farm 400 acres. Abby is active in 4-H and holds offices for Pennsylvania’s Junior Holstein and Guernsey associations.
A senior at Mohawk High School, Abby is member of the National Honor Society, a varsity cheerleader and involved in student council.
Bedford County’s Kim Ritchey was the skit and scrapbook winner. Butler County’s Anna Flick was voted “Miss Congeniality” by the other county princesses and was the runner-up scrapbook winner. Amber Curtis of Wayne County was the runner-up speech winner and Lancaster County’s Laken Hoffer was an honorable mention winner with her skit and scrapbook. Heidi Musshafen of Tioga County rounded out the scrapbook honorable mention winners.
Abby Flick, the 2007-2008 Butler County dairy princess was named the Tina M. Shultz Memorial Award winner. Abby completed 471 promotions, reaching more than 187,527 consumers and traveling nearly 6,422 miles within Butler County. Abby is the 19-year-old daughter of Randall and Elizabeth Flick of Fenelton, and is a sophomore at Butler County Community College.