| Western Illinois crowns 2010 Dairy Princess |
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CARLOCK, Ill. — June 24 marked the Western Illinois Dairy Council’s 55th annual promotion banquet, where Kari Barry, daughter of Rick and Kris Barry, Liberty, was crowned 2010 Western Illinois Dairy Princess.
The Western Illinois Dairy Princess, and the banquet that serves as a backdrop for the ceremony where she is named, has been a tradition since 1955. Barry, the newest title-holder, will participate in promoting wholesome and nutrient-rich milk products, riding in parades, helping with dairy judging activities, speaking at dinners and working milk shake stands at county fairs.
“My favorite part of being the Western Illinois Dairy Princess is promoting milk and milk products because of their many nutrients, especially calcium and vitamin D,” Barry said after being crowned. “I don’t have a favorite activity on the farm; I love just being on the farm,” she said.
The contestants were judged on an interview and prepared speech.
Barry will be a junior at Liberty High School this fall, where she is involved with basketball, volleyball, FFA, 4-H, SAA, Science Club, Spanish Club and the student council. Barry has helped on her family farm since she was young, milking, feeding calves, scooping grain, and baling hay and straw. Barry also helps on her grandparents’ farm near Liberty.
The banquet also honored the Gene and Lorrie Klauser family, which was presented with the Heritage Farm Award.
The Klauser family has been milking since 1972, always at their family farm. One of the children remembered “sitting at the side of the bulk tank on a bucket eating an egg and cheese sandwich with a glass of milk.” The Klausers raised 10 children and currently have 21 grandchildren with two more expected this fall. They’ve been married for 40 years. The Klausers milk about 100 cows with an equal number of young stock, owning about 890 acres near Liberty. |
| 8/4/2010 |
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