82-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, June 25, 1994 Role Playing Becomes Reality For Amy Espenshade LOU ANN GOOD Lancaster Fanning Staff LANCASTER (Lancaster Co.) No fantasy or science fiction invaded the Lancaster County Dairy Princess Pageant held at the Home and Farm Center on June 18. Although Amy Espenshade often previously portrayed a prin cess in science fiction episodes, she is now a bonafide princess. The 18-year-old grew up play ing Star Wars with her brother and sister while completing milking chores on the family’s Elizabeth town farm. Amy always played the role of Princess Leia, her brother Matthew was Luke Skywalker, sister Becky was Han Solo, the cows were the storm troopers, and the dog was dubbed Darth Vader. Now Amy no longer needs to role play. She is an actual princess. Crowned Lancaster County Dairy Princess, Amy wears the crown with regal bearing. She is the daughter of Harvey and Susan Espenshade. The family crop farms 140 acres on their Cen tury Farm and milks 50 cows. Amy is a recent graduate of Elizabeth town High School and will begin studies in horticulture at Penn State-York in the fall. Alternate Joy Young will assist Amy along with Dairy Darlings The Espenshade family from Elizabethtown include from left, Harvey, Susan, Amy, Becky, and Matthew. From left, Lisa Risser, co-chairman of the Dairy of Distinction Program, and Marcl Harnish, 1993-1994 county dairy princess and state alternate, hand out Dairy of Dis tinction awards to Joe and Dave Garber and the Mark Dletrick families. Crystal Brubaker. ML Joy; Jodi Delong, Quarryville; Crystal Lei ninger, Quarryville; Jenna Martin, Ephrata; Andrea Shellenberger, Ml Joy; and Debra Young, Peach Bottom. Joy is the daughter of David and Carol Young of Peach Bottom and is active in 4-H horse activities. Part of the pageant activities required the contestants to perform a prepared skit and to answer an impromptu question. Amy por trayed a cow who complained that of all the animals possible, she was was stuck being a stupid clumsy cow. As the cow reviews her duties, she comes to the conclusion that helping a teen-age boy grow strong muscles, helping girls have healthy completions and strong bodies, and providing good-tasting products such as ice cream are noteworthy responsibilities. Joy portrayed a nurse reviewing Jfomestead JTotcs patients’ charts and noticing how diet plays an important role in pre venting illnesses. , The impromptu question was posexl by master of ceremonies Grover Gouker Jr. who said, “Some people believe that respect has deterioted over the last genera tion or so. Why?” Amy answered that she believes people are more cofident of them selves and tend to think of them selves rather than others in beha vior. She believes children should be taught to respect elders and thinks of how to act before hurting others. Joy said that respect has deter ioted because society’s values have been lowered. She said they younger generation should be taught morals and values so that they can appreciate others. Contestants were judged not (Turn to Pago B 4) Lancaster County Dairy Princess Amy Espenshade, right, and Alternate Joy Young will represent the dairy of a Dairy of Distinction award. Ray and Reba Ranck receive a Dairy of Distinction award for their Paradise farm. iger family accept a Daily of Distinction award for their Manheim farm.