By Alan Sorensen
Roars went up from a couple hundred fans as the fair royalty winners 4-H Queen Jennifer Vaughn and Teen Rep Justus Wendland were announced Thursday morning in the Bigger Better Barn. The pair, crowned during a special ceremony at 11 a.m. Thursday, will represent Hill County 4-H for the next year.
Vaughn, 17, is a high school senior whos been active in 4-H for nine years. A member of Blue Horizon Club, shes the daughter of Chuck and Paula Vaughn of Havre.
Wendland, the son of Mac and Deena Wendland of Rudyard, is a three-year member of Northern Lights 4-H Club. The 15-year-old is a high school sophomore.
First runner-up in the queen competition was Brooke Letang, 15, Gildford. Second runner-up was Carly Toldness, 16, of Havre, and third runner-up for queen was LaShae Michels, 16, of Box Elder.
In the Teen Rep competition, first runner-up was Mike Duncan, 17, of Joplin, and second runner-up was Kevin Jurenka, 15, Hingham.
Wendland said he felt great about being crowned Teen Rep. He said he looks forward to a busy year getting out and meeting more people and carrying the 4-H message to youngsters throughout the area.
Vaughn, like Wendland, spent countless hours preparing for the competition and survived extended interviews and was more interested in spending time with family and friends than talking with the media.
I have to have my picture taken with my grandmother, Vaughn said as she hurried around the livestock fence to hug her great grandmother Marie VanderVen. Vaughns grandmother Kelly Stewart snapped the picture that bridged the three-generation gap.
The time for interviews expired as the newly crowned royalty began filling their years obligations on behalf of 4-H. First stop: Giving out ribbons at awards tables in the Bigger Better Barn.
Theyll be there for the rest of the fair, Hill County Extension Agent Jennifer Wells said.
In their application questionnaires, Vaughn and Wendland both made commitments to their year-long duties as 4-H youth leaders.
In expressing her opinion of the queens duties, Vaughn wrote:
The position should be filled by someone who is punctual and organized, someone whom you can count on. Duties include attending 4-H council and foundation meetings. They also need to help plan and attend county events so the younger 4-Hers can see them. They also need to be willing to learn new things that will help them with their position.
Wendland agreed:
Their duties should involve spreading the word about 4-H and by being the absolute best representative possible. They should act as a Role Model,m giving people something to look up to and something to work for by giving a positive image to our young people. (Teen Rep) needs to project to our community what a great service 4-H is to our community!
