814-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, Dacembar 10. 1994 Bedford County Teen Is Je LINDA WILLIAMS Bedford Co. Correspondent BEDFORD (Bedford Co.) Being crowned Jersey Jug Queen was one of the dreams of Janelle Koontz. It was a dream that came true fast following on the heels of her state Jersey crown and also that, of being named Fall Foliage Queen of Bedford County. At 16. the daughter of Wayne and Nancy Koontz, says her best asset is a “gift of gab”. It’s an important asset when sitting down with adult judges who are looking for that element of maturity not always seen in teenage girls. Held in Louisville, Kentucky, the Jersey Jug Futurity Queen reigns over the annual Jersey Futurity contest. This contest actually begins three years prior to the event with Jersey farmers from across the country entering a calf in the con test which will not take place for three years. Girls sharing the spotlight with Janelle were IS state queens from across the United States. Arriving on a Friday night, Janel jug she won at Louisville. Janelle and the Jersey she took to Louisville. In national competition, the cow placed ninth in its class. Janelle says the first event was a get-acquainted pizza party. Satur day began with handing out rib bons at the 4-H Junior show inter spersed with judge interviews. Janelle was one of the three busiest gals in the contest taking time out to show one of her own Jersey cows. Following a full day of judging (both girls and cows), it was time for the banquet followed by the pageant. “The girls were so good,” Janelle said, “They could only nar row it down to six finalists. Ordi narily there are five.” Each of the 15 girls was asked one impromptu question and Janelle says hers was, “What qual ity do you have that would make you a good representative of the American Jersey Cattle Associa tion.” “I told them my family and friends all tell me I have a gift of gab,” Janelle said as she beams her perfect smile. “I added that if I didn’t have the answer, I would find it for them.” The second question asked of each of the six finalists was, “If you were chosen as National Jer sey Queen to go before Congress to convince them of the impor tance of the dairy industry on the economy and the health of Ameri ca, what would you say?” Janelle was quick with an answer. “I would ask them how many meals each of them ate a day which included dairy products and I would name them: milk, butter, cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese, ice cream.” “Then, I would tell them that while we may need a health care plan in America, dairy products could help to improve the general health of all Americans.” One of two of the youngest contestants in the contest, Janelle competed mostly against college students. “The judges told me they liked the way I looked them in the eyes,” she said. The following day, Janelle began her queenly duties by reigning over the Futurity contest. “It was beautiful,” she adds. “There was green sawdust every where designed to look like grass. And, the cows were numbered and presented just as the queen contes tants had been. After the top cows are selected by appearance, stature, etc., each is milked out to determine if pro ductivity is also present. When not fulfilling the duties of her various royal titles, Janelle is a busy junior at Bedford High School. She will play Guenivere in the musical, “Camelot”. She has also been chosen to attend district cho rus. Janelle is Junior class vice pres ident; on the Student Council Executive Board; participated in the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science; is a varsity cheerleader and a Red Cross swimming instructor. She has recently made applica tion to the 4-H ambassador pro gram. While her future plans keep changing, she now hopes to work in the Held of food sciences or ag administration and will probably attend Penn State University. Appalachian Tales Told HERSHEY (Dauphin Co.) Yams will be spun on Saturday, December 10 at the Hershey Museum when The Puppet Facto ry presents “Appalachian Tales” at 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. The Pup peteers will share the story of “Wicked John and the Hairy Man” using puppets, storytelling and authentic music to teach children about friendship as they retell some Appalachian mountain tales that are full of humor, trickery and surprises! The performances are aimed at children aged five through twelve years, and each is approximately 45 minutes long. There will be a chance to meet the puppeteers and the puppets between shows. The Puppet Factory is a profes sional, non-profit touring puppet theater. Since 1969, The Puppet Factory has been entertaining chil dren throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Their humorous stories encourage audience response. The show is free with Museum admission: adults $4; youth( ages 3-15) $1.75. jontz - crown*. jrsey Jug v jeen at Louisville, Kentucky. Others in the photo include the South Carolina State Queen who was first runner-up; the outgoing queen; and the state queen from Tennessee, second run ner-up. Despite her busy schedule, dad, Wayne, keeps her busy at the bam. It is Janelle’s job to do the com puter work that the farm requires. “It piles up sometimes, but no one does it for me,” she admits. This busy young lady has nine cows of her own including one which gave her nine bulls before presenting her with a heifer calf on Puppeteers Carolyn Koerber and Joanne Bouton of the Puppet Factory present “Applachian Tales" at the Hershey Museum on Saturday, December 10,1994,1:30 and 3 p.m. The tales they tell are full of humor, trickery and surprises! Seating is first-come, first-served and is free with museum admission. her 16th birthday. “I named her ‘Sweet Sixteen,’” Janelle laughs. She has been showing cows since she was big enough to hold a halter. The Koontz family lives on a 550-acre farm owned by Edna Koontz, and Leased by Wayne. They milk 90 registered Jerseys. At Hershey
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