Erie County dairy princess and her court crowned

In celebration of June as national dairy month, the Erie County Dairy Promotion Committee crowned a new dairy princess and her court at the Springville Dairy Festival.

Magdalene Richmond, the 18-year-old daughter of Anita and Charles Richmond Jr. of Eden was crowned the 2012-2013 Erie County dairy princess. Magdalene Richmond lives and works on her family’s 200-cow dairy farm and is a sophomore at Morrisville State College, majoring in dairy science.

Nicole Konert, the 15-year-old daughter of Georgiana and Richard Konert of Collins, was crowned the Erie County alternate dairy princess. She helps out on her family’s 45-cow dairy farm and is a student at Springville-Griffith Institute High School. Nicole participates in Future Farmers of America and the Erie County 4-H Program.

The Dairy Princess Program is facilitated by the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council, with support from local businesses. Each Western New York county has its own dairy promotion committee, which includes the county princess and her court.

The girls act as spokespersons for the dairy industry. They promote and educate the public at many events in their counties and participate in television, radio and newspaper interviews. They also visit classrooms at area elementary schools, to teach children about dairy farming and the health benefits of consuming dairy products.

The Erie County dairy princess and her court will be participating in upcoming activities throughout Erie County, including summer festivals and parades and the Erie County Fair in August.

The dairy ambassadors, who received sashes in recognition of their appointments, will assist the princess and alternate throughout the year.

The dairy ambassadors include: 11-year-old Brooke Gerhardt and 9-year-old Aubrey Gerhardt, daughters of Carrie and Dan Gerhardt of Marilla; 12-year-old Christina Mohney, the daughter of Joe and Mae Mohney of Cheektowaga; 14-year-old Leila Richmond, the daughter of Anita and Charles Richmond Jr. of Eden; 15-year-old Emily Rogers, the daughter of Liz and Brian Rogers of Springville; 12-year-old Corrin Sacilowski, the daughter of Becky Sacilowski of Springville and 14-year-old Natalie Strub, the daughter of Ann Phillips and Mark Strub of Springville.

When asked about her new role as the Erie County dairy princess, Richmond said, “I very much enjoy speaking with and educating the public about the dairy industry. My favorite part is seeing how the kids’ faces light up when they see a baby calf or learn something new that they did not know before, especially knowing that they will go home and share all the new information with their family and friends. It is really important to share all the wonderful experiences I have had the opportunity to have.”

To request that the Erie County dairy princess and her court participate in a community activity representing the dairy industry, contact Dairy Princess Booking Chair Anita Richmond, at 992-3876, 725-9919 or eriecodairyprincess@gmail.com.