Courtesy photo Kara Stultz (center), 2018-19 Blair County Dairy Princess, is shown with Victoria Longenecker, 2018-19 Blair County Alternate Dairy Princess (left) and Yvonne Longenecker, 2017-18 Blair County and PA State Dairy Princess.

MARTINSBURG — The 2018 Blair County Dairy Princess Pageant was held May 18 at the Park at Morrison’s Cove.

Serving as master of ceremonies was Sam Hayes, former Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture. Judges were Dr. Joe Itle, Gina Itle and Jodi Kensinger.

Kara Stultz and Victoria Longen-ecker competed for the titles of Blair County Dairy Princess and Blair County Alternate Dairy Princess.

The contestants participated in a pre-dinner interview with the judges, presented a speech, as well as a creative skit, and answered an impromptu question on stage.

Victoria’s creative skit was a special game of “Operation.” She portrayed a doctor performing a procedure on a patient who did not include enough dairy in his diet, leading to several health issues and conditions.

Her speech focused on the hundreds of roles that dairy farmers fill in the day-to-day operation of their dairy farms and caring for their cows.

In Kara’s creative skit, she portrayed a softball player searching for the perfect after-workout beverage.

After researching sports drinks and other choices, she found that chocolate milk contained nine essential nutrients and was the perfect beverage to help her recover after practice.

Kara’s speech was titled “Get Real” and compared the differences between real milk and soy drink while explaining the benefits of choosing real dairy products as a part of a healthy diet.

The Blair County Dairy Promotion Court was recognized as well. Team members for the 2018-19 promotion year include:

Dairy Ambassadors — Jacob Orczeck and Jordan Smith.

Dairy Maids — Madison Benfer, Elizabeth Frederick, Dana Heltzel, Darcy Heltzel, Ayla Hileman, Olivia Knab and Katheryn Longenecker.

Dairy Misses — Norah Bechtel, Danielle Heltzel, Anna Longenecker, and Riley Stultz.

Future Farmers and Princesses — Kali Knab, Drew Heltzel, Laurel Smith, Annalisa Counterman, Ayden Knab and Avalynn Counterman.

2017-2018 Blair County and PA State Dairy Princess Yvonne Longenecker gave her farewell address, and both she and Kara (who served as the 2017-18 Alternate Dairy Princess) were awarded scholarships by the Blair County Dairy Promotion Commit-

tee.

Yvonne and her team completed a total of 242 promotions, traveled more than 3,700 miles and distributed more than 20,000 promotional items.