Pictured, from left, Cathy Bryant Shipley and Gary Boggs. Gary Boggs was Kosciusko County’s first 4-H King and Cathy Bryant Shipley was the first 4-H Queen.

KOSCIUSKO —  This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Kosciusko County 4-H Royalty Contest. The contest began in 1968, with 4-H junior leaders selecting Gary Boggs and Cathy Bryant Shipley as Kosciusko County’s first 4-H king and queen.

The 2018 Kosciusko County 4-H royalty candidates will be announced Thursday evening, June 21. The 2018 4-H king, queen, prince and princess will be crowned by the 1968 4-H king and queen on Thursday, July 5, at the Kosciusko County Extension Office, 202 W. Main St., Warsaw, just prior to the opening of the fair.  

Boggs grew up on a crop and livestock farm in Washington Township. His parents instilled the value of hard work at a young age.  4-H filled the time between school and farming. He graduated from Pierceton High School in 1968, became the 4-H king in August and then entered Grace College. In 1972, Boggs graduated from Grace with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics education. After graduation, he married Rachel Harman, set up house in Atwood and was soon drafted into the U.S. Army. Boggs completed his tour of duty in Korea in 1974, having served as a member of the military police. He began teaching mathematics and coaching basketball at Pierceton Middle School.

In the summer of 1979, Boggs began working with Schrader Real Estate and Auction, in Columbia City. Throughout the years, Boggs served as an appraiser, auctioneer, real estate, equipment and personal property sales manager and mentor. His expertise resulted in numerous category awards from the National Auctioneers Association / USA Today Marketing Competition.

After 38 years with Schrader’s, Boggs retired from the auction business to work on home projects that have waited for 40 plus years.

His service to 4-H continued as a 4-H parent, and as a 36-year Whitley County 4-H volunteer and livestock auction representative.

Boggs enjoys spending time with his wife and children, Heather, Amanda and Jared, and two grandsons. He is an avid basketball fan and follows high school, college and professional basketball. 

Shipley was born in 1949 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was one of four children born to Sherm and Colleen Bryant and was raised on a crop and hog production farm in North Webster. 4-H and the word, ‘activity’, were a part of the Bryant household. Shipley was a member of her local 4-H club, the Kosciusko County 4-H Jr. Leaders, sang for two years in the state 4-H choir and was named 1968 Kosciusko County 4-H Queen. The life skills learned through the Bryant family and 4-H served her well.

The North Webster High School salutatorian went on to be named Kosciusko County’s Jr. Miss, State Jr. Miss poise and appearance winner and was also the Jr. Miss scholarship recipient. Shipley joined the Boilermakers after high school graduation, where she was a member of the Purdue Mortar Board. She graduated summa cum laude from Purdue University in 1972.

In June of 1972, she married Ron Shipley. She worked as a civilian employee relations specialist for the KI Sawyer Air Force Base and for the Fort Ben Harrison post for seven years. For the next 32 years, Shipley divided her time as a substitute teacher in the Macon County School system, in North Carolina and in the Wawasee Community School system. She then served as an assistant office administrator for Pier 13 Realty. Currently, Shipley is employed by Todd Realty.

She and her husband, Ron, attend the Christian Church of Milford, where she is the treasurer and pianist. They have two children, David and Karen, and seven grandchildren. In her spare time, Shipley enjoys ballroom dancing, country and line dancing, reading, playing the piano, taking care of her grandchildren and traveling.

Special events are being planned, with all past Kosciusko 4-H kings and queens being invited to participate in the 50th anniversary celebration.