Pictured in front, from left, are Lacey Helfers, Morgan Keirn, Hunter Meigiera, Valerie Messmore. In back are Abigail Blackburn, Madison Wagoner, Carolyn Pitt and Madelyn Zimmerman. Not pictured is Kara Kline.

KOSCIUSKO — The 2017 Kosciusko County 4-H Royalty will be announced at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 6, at the Kosciusko County Extension Office, 202 W. Main St., Warsaw.

The Kosciusko County Royalty Contest began in 1968. At that time, the 4-H Junior Leaders selected their “King” and “Queen.” Gary Boggs was Kosciusko County’s first 4-H King and Cathy Bryant Shipley was the first 4-H Queen.

Today’s 4-H Royalty candidates submit a complete history of their 4-H, school and community leadership, service, and activities and involvement. Blind applications are reviewed and scored by a panel of three judges. In June, the judges meet the candidates for 10-minute professional interviews. The 2017 4-H King, Prince, Queen and Princess will be crowned Thursday, July 6, just prior to the opening of the fair.

The 2016 4-H King was Conner Sausaman and the 2016 4-H Queen was Ashley Beer.

Although the contest has taken on a new look, it continues to recognize 4-H achievement, leadership and commitment to service. The contest and the royalty court continue to hold a place of high value and tradition in the Kosciusko County 4-H program.

The 2017 Kosciusko County 4-H Royalty Candidates are:

Abigail Blackburn
Club: Junior Neighbors 4-H Club and Kosciusko County 4-H Jr. Leaders
Number of years in 4-H: Nine
Projects: photography (black and white, color salon), cake decorating, misc. crafts, gift wrapping, create-with-a-mix and goats.
4-H offices held: vice president, treasurer, secretary, health and safety and recreation.
School: Warsaw Community High School, senior
Parents: Rick and Zona Blackburn
Future plans: attend college to gain a degree in human resources

Lacey Helfers
Club: Milford Helping Hands, Kosciusko County 4-H Jr. Leaders
Number of years in 4-H: 9
Projects: fine arts, photography, dairy foods, poultry, Jr. Leaders, entomology, fashion revue, wearable art, creative writing, misc. crafts.
4-H offices held: two terms vice president, Jr. Leaders, recreation leader and secretary
School: Wawasee High School, senior
Parents: Jeff and Michelle Helfers
Future plans: attend college to major in visual arts education and minor in theater production and design.

Morgan Keirn
Club: Horse and Pony Club
Number of years in 4-H: 10
Projects: horse and pony, dairy calf feeder steer
4-H office held: treasurer and president
School: Purdue University, freshman
Parents: Shannon and Claudia Keirn
Future Plans: attend Purdue to major in pre-veterinary medicine

Kara Kline
Club: Silver Lake Rambling Farmers 4-H Club
Number of years in 4-H: Nine
Projects: misc. crafts, rabbit posters, swine, sheep, rabbit
4-H Office held: reporter, health and safety
School: Manchester High School, senior
Parents: Duane and Rickell Kline
Future plans: attend college to major in animal science and play volleyball

Valerie Messmore
Club: Horse and Pony Club and Pierceton Hayseeds 4-H Club
Number of years in 4-H: 8
Projects: horse and pony, dairy steers, dairy calf feeder steers, dairy and sheep
4-H Office: vice president, two terms as treasurer, health and safety leader and refreshment coordinator
School: Warsaw Community High School, junior
Parents: Brent and Renea Messmore
Future plans: attend Purdue or Butler University to major in accounting

Carolyn Pitt
Club: Firm Foundations 4-H Club
Number of years: Nine
Projects: goat, poultry, cat, dog, sheep, swine, horse and pony, beef, dairy, rabbit, llama, llama poster, fine arts, woodworking, cake decorating, misc. crafts and collections.
4-H office: president, vice president, treasurer, historian, devotions leader
School: home school, senior
Parents: David and Ami Pitt
Future plans: She would like to further develop her cake business, take post-secondary courses from Grace College and Ivy Tech, coach volleyball and become a 4-H leader.

Madison Wagoner
Club: Lucky Lassies and Lads
Number of years in 4-H: Nine
Projects: beef, photography, creative writing, recycling, horse and pony
4-H Office held: vice president
School: A 2017 graduate of Warsaw Community High School and will major in physical therapy at University of Indianapolis this fall
Parents: David and Tammi Wagoner

Madelyn Zimmerman
Club: Milford Helping Hands 4-H Club
Number of Years in 4-H: Eight
Projects: beef swine, foods, photography, creative writing, create-with-a-mix, sewing and consumer clothing
4-H Offices held: vice president and reporter
School: Wawasee High School, junior
Parents: John and Peg Zimmerman
Future plans: post-secondary plans include attending Kansas State to pursue a degree in beef and ag education

Hunter Magiera
Club: Milford Helping Hands 4-H Club
Number of years in 4-H: 10
Projects: dairy calf feeder steers, dairy steers
4-H Offices held: senior advisor
School: Graduated from Wawasee High School and will be attending Purdue in the fall, majoring in agriculture systems management
Parents: Brent Sabin and Ranee Tom