Sausaman, Beer Crowned 4-H King And Queen
WARSAW — Conner Sausaman, Syracuse, and Ashley Beer, Milford, were crowned the 2016 Kosciusko County 4-H King and Queen at the County 4-H Public Fashion Revue and Achievement Awards Night Thursday, July 7. Both are members of the Milford Helping Hands 4-H Club.
Evan Schmidt, Warsaw, and Analiese Helms, Warsaw, were named prince and princess.
The 4-H Royalty were presented their sashes and crowns by the 2015 King Jared Templin, Leesburg, and Elizabeth Zorn, Warsaw.
Sausaman is the son of Matt and Christi Sausaman. Beer is the daughter of Randy and Deb Beer. Schmidt is the son of James and April Schmidt and Helms is the daughter of Rhonda Helms.
“It’s a distinct honor to be crowned king on the 100th year of the Kosciusko County Fair,” stated Sausaman.
“Ever since I started 4-H I wanted to serve on the royalty court for 4-H,” Beer said.
Sausaman is a 2016 graduate of Wawasee High School and plans to attend Blackhawk University to major in agribusiness management and agri-business production. He is a 10-year 4-H’er with the Milford Helping Hands. His 4-H projects have included dog obedience, alfalfa, photography, swine, dairy beef, dairy beef feeder steer, foods, poultry and dairy. He has served as recreation leader and senior leader in his club.
Beer will be a senior at Wawasee High School. She is a nine-year 4-H member with the Milford Helping Hands. Her 4-H projects have included foods, sewing, photography, swine, dairy calf feeder steers and beef. She has held the offices of treasurer, secretary and vice president. After graduation she plans to attend college to gain a bachelor’s degree in business, majoring in finance and accounting.
Schmidt is in his 10th year of 4-H and is a graduate of Warsaw Community High School. He will be attending the University of Indianapolis to major in sports management and marketing. He has been a member of the Leesburg Mighty Farmers and has taken such 4-H projects as rabbits and dairy.
Helms is also a 10-year 4-H member and a member of the Junior Neighbors and Hoosier Llama Lovers 4-H Clubs. She has taken such projects as llama, llama poster, personality, foods, consumer meats, fine arts, gift wrapping, dog poster, wildlife and health. She has served as president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, health and safety leader in her 4-H clubs. She graduated from Warsaw Community High School and plans to attend Taylor University to pursue a degree in music education, with a possible minor in biology.
Beth Lamb, royalty program chairwoman, stated each contestant answered an eight-question application, had a 10-minute interview with judges. The 4-H Royalty program recognizes the 4-H achievement, leadership and community service of 4-H’ers. Participation is open to eight, nine or 10 year 4-H members or 4-H members in their last three years of 4-H eligibility.
Additionally Lamb announced the 2018 4-H Royalty program will be the 50th anniversary. The first king and queen were chosen in 1968. At that time, the 4-H Junior Leaders selected their “king” and “queen.” Gary Boggs and Cathy Bryant Shipley were the county’s first 4-H King and Queen.
Plans are being made to honor the past king and queen during the 2018 4-H Royalty Coronation, with Boggs and Shipley crowning the 2018 King and Queen, participating in a luncheon celebration and the fair parade, among other events.