Midwest Dairy Association Mariah Schmitt, an 18-year-old from Fort Atkinson, was crowned the 60th Iowa Dairy Princess during an evening ceremony at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines tonight (Wednesday, August 7). Schmitt, daughter of Carl and Terry Schmitt, will spend the year serving as a goodwill ambassador for Iowa’s dairy farmers. Throughout her year-long reign she will make public appearances to connect with consumers and help them understand the dedication of dairy farm families to their cows and the land.
Representing Winneshiek County, Schmitt was also named Miss Congeniality in the contest. In the fall, she will attend Iowa State University majoring in dairy science and public service and administration in agriculture.
Celina Young, 18, of Waverly, was named Alternate Iowa Dairy Princess. Young, the daughter of Jill Grabau and Greg Young, will share duties with the princess. She represents Bremer County and will also attend Iowa State University this fall, studying agriculture business and communications.
Eleven princesses from throughout Iowa competed for the title. The top five included:
-Nicole Engelken, 18, daughter of Tom and Cherrie Engelken of Earlville, representing the Iowa Holstein Association;
-Catheryn Lang, 18, daughter of James and Theresa Lang of McGregor, representing Clayton County;
-Brianna Lee, 19, daughter of Darrell and Rhonda Lee of West Union, representing Fayette County; and
-Celina Young, 18, daughter of Jill Grabau and Greg Young of Waverly, representing Bremer County.
The outgoing Iowa Dairy Princess is Logan Worden, daughter of Dennis and Joan Worden of Oelwein, and the Alternate Princess is Karla Hageman, daughter of Alan and Ruth Hageman of Decorah. Their reigns will be completed at the end of the Iowa State Fair, and the new Princess and Alternate will begin their duties on September 1.