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Fair king, queen treasure 4-H memories

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Photo by Dan Lassiter

Ann O'Leary of Evansville 4-H and Jordan Alf of Consolidated 4-H were named the queen and king of the 2009 Rock County 4-H Fair during coronation ceremonies Tuesday.

Photo

Photo by Dan Lassiter

The complete 2009 Rock County 4-H Fair royalty court. From left, front row; Taylor Schuetz, Evansville FFA, Ann O'Leary, Evansville 4-H, Jordan Alf, Consolidated 4-H and Catie Demrow, Fulton 4-H. Back row; Tyler Schimke, Clinton 4-H, Quinnel Furseth, Consolidated 4-H, Jacob Johnson, Parker FFA, Aaron Messier, Badger 4-H, Audrey Hurley, Magnolia 4-H and Timothy Wells, Newark Pioneers 4-H.

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2009 Rock County 4-H Fair Royalty

A field of 37 young men and women will vie for the titles of Rock County 4-H Fair king and queen during the royalty coronation at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Rock County 4-H Fair grandstand.

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JANESVILLE — With 24 years of 4-H experience between them, Ann O'Leary and Jordan Alf have plenty of trophies and ribbons in reward for their projects.

Tuesday night they added another honor to that list: a crown.

O'Leary and Alf were announced as the 2009 Rock County 4-H Fair king and queen during opening day coronation ceremonies. The two were selected from a field of 37 contestants from 23 clubs or chapters.

The new royal couple was thrilled at the news.

"This is something that I've thought about doing since my first year at the fair, watching older members on the stage," Alf said. He has been involved in the Consolidated 4-H club for 13 years and plans to become a leader next year.

Alf's projects have included sheep, vet science, youth leadership, visual arts, shooting sports, photography, computers, woodworking and field crops. Now a sophomore at UW-Platteville, he is studying Agribusiness. While he doesn't know exactly what career that will lead to, Alf said he's sure that agriculture is where his future lies.

"I grew up on a farm raising sheep and I've met so many great people through that," he said. "I know that I can help better the industry as a whole somehow."

O'Leary will enter her senior year at Evansville High School in the fall and is excited to begin college after she earns her diploma. The 17-year-old plans to enter the medical field, but her interests range from pediatrics to agriculture genetics to pharmaceuticals.

Her projects have included dairy, clothing, youth leadership, child development, home environment and photography.

Her 11 years as a member of the Evansville 4-H club have "been a blur" with too many great memories to name individually, she said.

"You stand on this stage and just wonder where the time went," she said. "It's really exciting but overwhelming at the same time." She also plans to become a leader next year.

Working with other members of their clubs and completing their own 4-H projects has been a large part of their success so far, both Alf and O'Leary said.

"4-H really lets you discover what you want to do in life," O'Leary said. "It has shown me that I have a passion for working with kids and that's shaped my decisions."

The opportunities for 4-H'ers are endless, Alf said. His involvement in the club allowed him to become part of a leaders council for the state and travel to Washington D.C. to discuss 4-H funding with legislators.

"I never would have thought that I'd go as far as I have," he said.

During Tuesday's ceremony, 2008 king and queen Tom Schambow and Julia VanVeldhuisen urged the royal candidates and other 4-H'ers to cherish each day they have in 4-H.

Schambow thanked the adult leaders who have been a key part of his experience and said he will always be grateful to them.

"Remember to enjoy every minute because before you know it, your 4-H days are over," VanVeldhuisen said. "But the experience never really ends."

Master of Ceremonies Rick West said every candidate was true 4-H royalty for all their hard work and commitment during their time as members.

"You are an inspiration and excellent role models for your brothers and sisters, classmates and community," he said.

Eight 4-H'ers were chosen as members of the royal court: Aaron Messier of Badger 4-H, Tyler Schimke of Clinton 4-H, Quinnel Furseth of Consolidated 4-H, Taylor Schuetz of Evansville FFA, Katie Demrow of Fulton 4-H, Jacob Johnson of Janesville Parker FFA, Audrey Hurley of Magnolia 4-H and Timothy Wells of Newark Pioneers 4-H.