Locals compete to become Dairy Ambassador

Four young women, including one from Marysville, seeking to represent the dairy industry for 2008-09 are competing for the title of Snohomish County Dairy Ambassador.

Four young women, including one from Marysville, seeking to represent the dairy industry for 2008-09 are competing for the title of Snohomish County Dairy Ambassador.

Andrea Neff, daughter of Simon and Cherene Neff, is a 2006 graduate of Marysville-Pilchuck High School, and is currently attending college. She lived on the family dairy farm for 10 years. Neff was a five-year member of 4-H receiving many awards in competitions with her dairy and goat projects at local fairs She also competed in Future Farmers of America presentations. She was an alternate Dairy Princess where she helped promote the dairy industry. She enjoys skiing and singing in groups and solo.

Katie Nickels, daughter of Jerry Nickels and Heidi Montoya, is a junior at Stanwood High School where she has been an active member in FFA where she has served as president and received top awards at local fairs showing her dairy and swine projects. She has participated in choir in school and FFA and was selected to sing with the Washington State FFA Chorus in 2007. She enjoys attending concerts and reading books, preferably non-fiction.

Melissa Cook, daughter of Paul and Kristin Cook, is a junior at Snohomish High School. She has been involved in 4-H, Junior Holstein Association and FFA competing in the state and national Dairy Judging and Dairy Quiz Bowl contests. She has worked on a local farm during the past three summers furthering her knowledge in dairy. She enjoys playing tennis, Western Gaming and FFA trapshooting.

Kalynn Morcom, daughter of Ronald and Mary Ann Morcom, is a junior at Arlington High School. She has been a member of FFA and is an eight-year member of 4-H having dairy and beef projects where she won awards for showing her animals at local fairs. She worked at a local dairy as a “chore girl” and currently has a position on a 125-cow Holstein herd as a milker as well as caring for her own Jersey cow and four Holstein steers.

The Coronation Banquet will be Saturday, April 19, with doors to open at 6 p.m. The event will take place at the Camano Island Community and Senior Center, located at 606 Arrowhead Road, Camano Island. Reservation need to be made and paid for in advance by calling Beverly Soler at 360-435-4557 or Pat Manning at 306-403-0150. Tickets can’t be purchased at the door.