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New Princess crowned, outgoing princess reflects

Pictured at Right, Dairy Princess Kaitlin Sleeman, left, and outgoing princess, Veronica Ludwick, right, with the State Dairy Princess Mikayla Davis.

Kaitlin Sleeman has been named Warren County’s next Dairy Princess.

And the timing is right because June is National Dairy Month.

Sleeman is joined on the court by Dairy Maids Olivia Sheldon and Ariel Ludwick, Dairy Miss Kensley Sheldon and Harper Gates, Little Miss Tristen Gates, Dairy Darlings Gracie Benedict and Dairy Ambassadors Lane Gates and Case Benedict.

Sleeman was recently crowned by outgoing Dairy Princess Veronica Ludwich after a pageant attended by State Dairy Princess Mikayla Davis. Sleeman has hit the ground running, taking part in Green Day at VanOrd’s farm, Touch a Truck and serving ice cream at a 4-H meeting.

Kaitlin has already been busy attending Green Day at VanOrd’s farm, Touch a truck & serving ice cream at a 4-H meeting.

Photos provided to the Times Observer Pictured above, Kaitlin Sleeman, back middle, has been selected as the next Warren County Dairy Princess and is joined on the court by Dairy Maids Olivia Sheldon and Ariel Ludwick, Dairy Miss Kensley Sheldon and Harper Gates, Little Miss Tristen Gates, Dairy Darlings Gracie Benedict and Dairy Ambassadors Lane Gates and Case Benedict.

For Ludwick, it’s clear that the experience was eminently valuable.

“If you told me in 2019 that this is where I would be today, I would have probably looked at you and laughed,” she said. “The past three years showed me that anything is possible.”

Ludwick said she was approached about seeking the position in December 2020 and was initially reluctant.

“I thought of Hannah and how she talked about someday being the Princess one day and I thought of Dean and how he advocated for the dairy industry,” she said.

Hannah Jo Nickerson was crowned in 2019 but killed in a tragic house fire in October 2020. Dean Johnson, who founded HemView Holsteins, also died in 2020.

“I thought of all those around me who advocate for our industry, and I wanted to learn and grow to do my part to educate the public,” Ludwick explained. ”

She had a lot of people to thank for making the last year a success.

“To next year’s team embrace this experience, have fun, and make memories,” she said. “I also want to challenge everyone to try new experiences and take on new opportunities because we have learned that tomorrow is not promised so live life to the fullest.

“This is not my end as a spokesperson for the industry,” she stressed. “This is my beginning and I look forward to being a dairy industry advocate.”

Anyone interested in having Sleeman or a member of the team come to a school or event is asked to call Tiffany Jackson at (814) 462-8320.

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