IPPA will name 2012 youth representatives

The Iowa Pork Producers Association's 2012 youth representatives will be selected and introduced during the 40th annual Iowa Pork Congress Jan. 25 in Des Moines.

The 2012 Iowa Pork Queen, Iowa Pork Princess and the Premier Pork Youth Ambassador will all be named at the Iowa Pork Congress Banquet at the downtown Des Moines Marriott.

Eight county pork queens and four county youth ambassadors will compete for the right to represent the Iowa pork industry at various pork promotional and educational events in 2012.

All of the contestants will be judged on their overall knowledge of the pork industry and Iowa agriculture, interviewing and communications skills, poise and presentation.

The new queen, princess and youth ambassador will represent the Iowa pork industry throughout the year at various promotional and educational events around the state, as well as at out-of-state events.

The queen and youth ambassador each receive a $2,000 college scholarship and the princess is awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the Iowa Pork Producers Association.

The 2012 Iowa Pork Congress will be held Jan. 25 and 26 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines.

Here’s a list of the candidates:

2012 Iowa Pork Queen Contestants
Jessi Sorensen, Cedar Falls, Black Hawk County
Melanie Weber, Winthrop, Buchanan County
Lindsay Reth, Manchester, Delaware County
Stephanie Boardman, Peru, Madison County
Sterling Schnepf, Granville, Plymouth County
Margaret Miller, Ames, Story County
Kayla Romoser, Keota, Washington County
Nichole Licht, Humboldt, Webster County

2012 Premier Pork Youth Ambassador Contestants
Curtis Rieks, Alden, Hardin County
Kayla Greiner, Silver City, Mills County
Darren Struthers, Collins, Story County
Matt Kerns, Clearfield, Taylor County