Kline crowned Franklin County Dairy Princess
Expressing the rewards and challenges of today's dairy farmer, Jesse Kline of Chambersburg was crowned the 2010-2011 Franklin County Dairy Princess Friday, June 18, during the annual pageant at Kauffman Community Center.
The pageant is sponsored by the Franklin County Dairy Promotion Committee. Kline, 19, of Chambersburg is the 43rd princess to represent the county's dairy industry. She was crowned by 2009-2010 princess Courtney Hykes.
Kline will be conducting dairy promotion activities in the county with a group of Dairy Misses and Dairy Ambassadors for the next year. That group consists of Becky Benedict, Lucy Crider, Renee Grove, Amanda Hege, Courtney Hykes, Stephanie Hykes, Emily Wingert, Grace Crider and Corrine Statler.
During her speech, “Milk - The Essential Element,” Kline spoke from the unique perspective of a dairy farmer, having raised dairy animals for most of her life and as a current employee of Pleasant Valley Jerseys.
“Working with dairy cows has been rewarding and satisfying,” Kline said. “I know that dairy farmers are struggling with milk prices and the poor economy.
“This is a tough time for the dairy farmer and we all need to work together because this is our livelihood. This is our very way of life which has been built upon generations of hard work and sacrifice.”
Kline told the crowd of the importance of dairy intake and how crucial it is to project that message to the public.
“We could not live without the nutrients that dairy products contain,” the new princess related.
“It is critical that we promote dairy. It is essential that farmers continue to stand strong in the face of adversity. We have too much at stake to lose this battle.”
In her farewell speech, Hykes issued numerous thanks to those who have helped her during her reign. She noted that some of the best family times she has experienced have been during her year as dairy princess at promotion events.
Franklin County Commissioner Robert Thomas was the master of ceremonies at the pageant.
Kline is the daughter of Allen Kline and Diane Kline. She is a 2009 honor graduate of Chambersburg Area Senior High School and has attended Penn State Mont Alto. She participated in Glee Club, FBLA and FFA in high school.
The new county dairy princess is employed at Pleasant Valley Jerseys, Chambersburg.
Actively involved in FFA and 4-H Dairy for many years, Kline has garnered numerous recognitions. She has been involved in the national FFA Dairy Judging competition, was a National Gold Medalist and was awarded the Keystone Degree in 2009.
In addition to her active involvement in the Eastern Dairy 4-H Club, of which she served as president, Kline has served as a 4-H Camp counselor, participated in the Franklin County Council Exchange and attended the National 4-H Congress in 2006. She showed the Reserve Grand Champion Jersey, an animal that she bred and owned, at the Premier National Junior Dairy Show in 2007. Kline was a member of the Pennsylvania Dairy Judging Team in 2007 and was the high individual for the Brown Swiss breed at nationals. She also has participated in the Penn State Youth Leadership Conference and is a recipient of the “I Dare You” Award.
Kline is a member of the Living Faith Chapel in Chambersburg, where she is active in youth group and volunteers in the nursery.
In her skit done for the audience, “Yo, Ho, Ho! And a Bottle of Milk,” Kline took on the role of a pirate seeking supplies. Upon finding a cow, the pirate found her just as valuable as gold and jewels, noting to her crew that milk is nature's most nearly perfect food. “It is very nutritious,” the marauder said. “Milk has many nutrients in it to help our bodies grow big and strong.”
She noted how important consuming milk can be for a pirate's bones on the rough seas. She added that the cow's milk can be used to make many different products, such as cheese, yogurt and ice cream. “Think about it, that ice cream sounds pretty good for some of those hot days on ship,” she said.