ARLINGTON — They are ambassadors for dairy farms and agriculture in general.
The 58th annual Snohomish County Dairy Ambassador coronation — they used to be called dairy princesses — and dinner is set for 6 p.m. April 13 at the Medallion Hotel in Smokey Point.
Four young women are vying for the county ambassador title. The winner moves on to the state coronation on June 28. The Dairy Ambassador program is sponsored by the Washington State Dairy Women. The state Dairy Ambassador represents Washington’s dairy industry in a volunteer capacity at county fairs, in schools and other public venues.
The candidates looking to wear the county crown are:
Kathryn Dunham, the daughter of Luke Dunham and Colleen DeJong of Monroe. Kathryn is a senior at Monroe High School, where she is an honor student and vice president of Future Farmers of America. She is president of Hy-Lo Dairy 4-H Club and has been to the National 4-H Dairy Quizbowl, National 4-H Dairy Judging Contest and National 4-H Dairy Conference. She was on the state Junior Holstein Association quiz team that placed first in the nation in 2009. Kathryn plans to attend college, including a semester in Costa Rica.
Mikel Levi, the daughter of Clint and Raylene Levi of Stanwood. Mikel, a longtime 4-H member, is a junior at Stanwood High School, where she is active in FFA. She has exhibited dairy heifers at local fairs, raises market lambs for the Puget Sound Junior Livestock Show, and has represented Stanwood FFA at the national convention. Mikel gets up at 4:30 a.m. to help her sister milk their Jersey cow. She plans to attend Washington State University to study agriculture education.
Tilly Zylstra, the daughter of Fred and Christine Zylstra of Snohomish. Tilly is a junior at Snohomish High School. She works on her family’s farm raising dairy heifers and beef cattle. Tilly served as an officer in 4-H and FFA, and is president of the Washington Junior Holstein Association. She won several champion awards for fitting and showing and participated in National Dairy Quizbowl. She plans to attend Everett Community College and transfer to Washington State University.
Marcy Bartelheimer, the daughter of Ryan and Michelle Bartelheimer of Snohomish. Marcy is a junior at Snohomish High School, where she is an honor student and FFA leader. She competed at the National 4-H Dairy Judging Contest and National 4-H Dairy Quizbowl contest. She worked with middle school students interested in agriculture, won awards at local fairs with her three registered Holsteins and served in the Washington Junior Holstein Association. She volunteers at Snohomish Community Kitchen and plans to attend college.
Ticket orders for the coronation dinner should be made by Saturday. Information is available by calling 360-435-4557.
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