814-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, June 1,1985
Daily promotion is Pa. Daily Princess lynette toper's "special mission"
LANCASTER - Let’s see. An
afternoon of TV tapings and in
terviews on Monday. Then there’s
the special presentation with
Philadelphia 76er’s Bobby Jones
next month. And, oh yes, who could
forget about lunch with actor
Vincent Price at Sardis in New
York on Tuesday?
The monthly agenda of a young,
aspiring actress or model? Not
exactly, but how about the ap
pointment schedule of a young
woman with high aspirations for a
special assignment?
The above list is just a sampling
of the many engagements attended
by 18-year-old Lynette Loper of
Erie County. Her special
assignment--to promote milk
across the state as the Penn
sylvania Dairy Princess.
Lynette’s special assignment
last Sp tember when she
During opening presentations at this year's Farm Show,
Lynette asked Gov. Thornburgh to drink a toast to the state's
dairy industry. In her role as dairy princess, Lynette is often
in the public eye, bringing milk to the attention of consumers.
Lynette came to the state dairy princess pageant representing Erie County and left
with the job of promoting the dairy industry across the entire state. Here Lynette is the
center of attention shortly after receiving her crown.
was crowned the state princess
over 39 contestants. Ever since she
was old enough to know what
farming was about, she had
dreamed of becoming a dairy
princess. But the state dairy
princess?
“I was the most surprised person
there,” Lynette said of her
crowning. She had gone to the
pageant with plans to have a good
time and to give the title her best
shot-and it worked.
Self-confident and mature
beyond her years, Lynette con
tributes “my being myself and
pleasant to the judges” in helping
her capture the state crown and
banner. Plus, she said, “I always
try to do my best.”
Intelligence and knowledge of
the dairy industry also played a
key role in winning the state title,
itte listed these two attributes
in answering the question, “What
is your most valuable asset?”
which was asked by the judges.
A daughter of William and
Bonnie Loper, Waterford,
Lynette’s knowledge of the in
dustry was fostered by active
participation on the family’s 376-
acre dairy farm. She has helped in
feeding young stock, baling hay
and managing the family’s cab
bage enterprise.
By working with her family,
Lynette has developed a deep
appreciation and strong belief in
the dairy industry. This is the
message she wants to convey to
her audiences.
“I knew how hard my father
worked on the farm,” she said,
“and I know how important our
dairy products are. ”
With these strong beliefs,
Lynette is ready to take her
message throughout Penn
sylvania. She begins by carefully
preparing material to suit the age
group. A different topic is
prepared for each audience,
whether grade school children,
teen-agers or adults.
For example, when talking to
grade school students, Lynette
dresses up as “Professor Gar
field” and lectures on how “milk
gets from the farm to you.” To
teen-agers and young adults, she
urges, “don’t be embarrassed to
drink milk.” Adult audiences are
told about milk’s benefits and
current health issues concerning
dairy products.
Through her travels and
meetings with consumers, Lynette
has shared her knowledge on
osteoporosis, the “brittle bone”
disease. “About 99 percent of the
questions I’m asked are about
osteoporosis,” she said.
To answer such questions in her
role a ambassador for the dairy
industry, the high school senior
said it is important to be
knowledgeable, have good
speaking abilities and to “always
be ready to speak up for milk and
dairy farming.”
“Dairy farmers are very im
portant,” Lynette said. “People
need to understand this and ask the
question, ‘Where would we be
without farmers and no milk’ ’ ’ ’
A sparkle of enthusiasm in her
eyes, Lynette said, “I love to tell
people how I feel about the dairy
industry. It’s an important part of
Pennsylvania.”
And an important part of the
Pennsylvania dairy scene, she said
is milk and dairy promotion, which
* #T
V* S
> ■« •
One of the benefits of being a dairy princess is getting gifts.
Lynette received a beautiful engraved pitcher at the annual
Pa. Dairymen's Association banquet in January.
•fy yr»v per accepts her role
in promoting milk and dairy products with enthusiasum.
Lynette works closely with program director Jan Harding
left.
has recently experienced a great
turnaround.
“We (dairy farmers) are getting
our advertising dollars up,” she
said, referring to the mandatory
national dairy promotion program.
“We’re trying to let others know
about the dairy industry.”
Self promotion is essential to the
dairy industry, Lynette said.
“Farmers must promote their own
products. They must witness for
their own products and can do so
by ordering milk and other dairy
foods in restaurants.”
Lynette believes that one person
can make a difference where dairy
promotion is concerned. A greater
advantage is possible, she said, if
farmers join together in a unified
effort to promote milk.
To make a difference is what
Lynette hopes to do as the Penn
sylvania Dairy Princess. “I am
willing to witness for the dairy
industry,” she said. “I have a lot of
confidence in the industry I love.”
In her highly-regarded role,
Lynette speaks out on the goodness
of milk and dairy products and the
role they play in maintaining good
health. With plans to pursue a
career in nursing, Lynette is health
conscious and says, “If I could
prevent anything harmful from
happening, I would.”
It is with this sincere attitude,
love for her industry and the best
interest of others at heart that
Lynette carries her message
throughout Pennsylvania.
JUNEDAERYMONTH