Royalty candidates are, from left, Reagan Rowland, Logan Hollar, Ryan Zorn, Rachel Juillerat and Haley Hoover. Not pictured is Jacob Baker.

WARSAW — A great deal has changed in the 51 years that local 4-Hers have vied for coveted titles such as king, queen, prince and princess. When the initiative, known as 4-H’s royalty program, was launched in 1968, royal hopefuls were selected by their peers. Today, they strive to wear the sashes and headgear the same way their parents vie for a new job — by interviewing.

Mindy Wise, 4-H Youth Development Educator for Purdue Extension, Kosciusko County, explained the process.

“These participants do an application and interview process in order represent Kosciusko County 4-H as an ambassador for our royalty program,” said Wise. “Those who are selected — our king and queen — represent through the fair and other events through the fall just as figureheads of our program and hopefully encouraging other younger members to achieve leadership roles.”

According to Wise, the candidates, who interviewed Tuesday, June 25, will be named on Tuesday, July 2, at 6:30 p.m. at the public fashion review and awards night.

The following 4-Hers are royalty candidates.

Logan Hollar
Hollar is in his eighth year of 4-H and is a member of the Milford Helping Hands 4-H Club. Along with serving as his club’s recreation leader, he completed dairy, swine, beef, poultry, electric and photography projects. He attends Wawasee High School and his future plans include pursuing advanced degrees in Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering. His parents are Mitch and Jaime Hollar.

Jacob Baker
Baker is the son of Tony and Shanna Baker. This is his eighth year of 4-H and he is a member of the Claypool Classics 4-H club, where he has served as the secretary, vice-president, and president. His 4-H projects include, swine, beef, dairy calf and feeder steers, shooting sports, and welding. Baker plans to attend Ancilla College

Ryan Zorn
Zorn is nine-year member of the Syracuse Community Hands 4-H club. His parents are Glen and Penny Zorn. He has served in numerous offices within his club and served on the Junior Sheep Committee. His projects include, sheep, swine, poultry, electric, arts & crafts, woodworking, small engines, fine arts, geology, blacksmithing, PossAbilities, and Junior Leaders. He plans to attend Indiana University and major in biochemistry.

Rachel Juillerat
Juillerat is the daughter of Steve and Zina Juillerat and graduated from Columbia City High School. She is a 10-year 4-Her and is a member of the Junior Neighbors 4-H club where she has served as the president and vice-president. In her time in 4-H she has completed poultry, food, dairy food, cake decorating, and photography. Rachel plans to attend Purdue University to study food science.

Reagan Rowland
Rowland attends Warsaw Community High school and this is her ninth year of 4-H. Her parents are Greg and Kassi Rowland. She is a member of the Leesburg Mighty Farmers 4-H club, where she has served in numerous officer positions. Along with her officer positions, she has completed photography, foods, weather, beef, and dairy calf and feeder steer. Reagan wants to attend Purdue University and major in agronomy.

Haley Hoover
Hoover is in her 10th year of 4-H. Haley has served as president, vice-president, and treasurer of her 4-H club, the Great Outdoors. Her projects include poultry, sheep, rabbits, goats, shooting sports, fine arts, recycling, llama poster, dog poster, rabbit poster, wearable art, poultry poster, vet science, dog, llama, wildlife, and hay. She graduated from Tippecanoe Valley High School and wants to attend Manchester University to major in exercise science. Her parents are Jeffrey and Bethany Hoover.