In the top row are Myrah Bullock, Addison McKnight, Kaitlyn Putman, Emily teRiele, Kenzie Philips, Gwenyth Decker. In the bottom row are Rose Smith, Sofia Perry, Kalyn Bullock, Samantha Kulp, Ava Fitzgerald, Bailey Phillips, Alaina Richards. Submitted Photo.
WADDINGTON – The St. Lawrence County Dairy Promotion Group crowned its first Princess since the group voted to return to a royalty-based unisex program, on June 11 in Waddington.
SLC Dairy Promotion has stepped away from the American Dairy Association North East and resumed the dairy royalty program after surveying the local community and dairy farmers.
Last year, the American Dairy Association North East board, which administers the New York State Dairy Ambassador Program, adopted changes to make the program gender-neutral. After trying the new ambassador program for the past year, the SLC Dairy Program committee returned to the Dairy Princess format. Joining Lewis, Washington, and Tompkins counties in the decision.
“Last year was heartbreaking to watch the young people in our court be overlooked so many times. Without the sash and crown, they continuously were being passed over, the magic was lost. By bringing back the Royal title, we feel, as does our community, that this speaks more to the importance and impact of being at a local level, of capturing the attention, and hearts of our young children,” said Julie Parkman, co-chair of the Promotion Committee. “The crown serves for more than just grabbing attention, it can also be a huge confidence booster for our court members, and in this age demographic this is crucial for career and leadership development.”
Emily teRiele, of Canton, will serve as the 2023-24 SLC Dairy Princess. Alongside her, Kaitlyn Putman, of Madrid, will serve as Alternate Princess. The new court consists of 14 members of ages 9-23.
“I decided to run to see the kid’s faces light up when they see a ‘princess’ and share with them something that I love and that…
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