Lauren Servick, of LeRoy, was crowned 2011 Mower County Dairy Princess at the 58th Annual Dairy Princess Banquet in Adams April 29. Servick, the daughter of Don and Stephanie Servick and a senior at LeRoy-Ostrander High School was one of several girls in the competition who live the dairy life. She works at Mulhern Dairy in Fountain, Minn.

Three young women from Adams were also named Mower County Dairy Ambassadors: Claire Mullenbach, daughter of Pat and Kris Mullenbach; Brianna Reinartz, daughter of Brian and Ann Reinartz, and Calli Smith, daughter of Randy and Val Smith. Mullenbach and Reinartz are seniors at Southland High School and Smith is a freshman at the University of Minnesota.

And a younger generation was crowned, as well. Three girls, from third- to fourth-grade, were named 2011 Mower County Milkmaids: Brittney Ruechel, the daughter of Shawn and Karen Ruechel of Adams; Madison Smith, daughter of Ryan and Melissa Smith of Adams, and Victoria Hansen, daughter of Corey and Kaye Hansen, Austin.

During the event, guests also enjoyed visits with the candidates, a new, Greek yogurt, silent and live auctions and a banquet. The money helped raise a scholarship fund for some of the girls, which totaled about $3,400. The princesses will split the money.

The Mower County American Dairy Association also honored several past board members with Milk Pitcher awards. Darcey and Steve Reinartz of Adams were recognized for serving on the county board since 2000. Janet Heller of Adams also received the award having served on the county board for 12 years. The “Golden Butter Knife” award is presented each year to a restaurant that uses real dairy products. This year’s recipient was The Old Mill Restaurant, Austin.

Promotion efforts are also focusing on children through a new program, Fuel Up to Play 60, which educates school children to eat healthy and get at least 60 minutes of exercise every day.

The annual banquet is organized by the Mower County American Dairy Association Board which is chaired by Chris Sukalski, LeRoy, and includes Randy Smith, Adams, Vice-Chair; Julie Jax, Austin, Secretary; Gene Anderson, Waltham, Treasurer; and Tracy Smith, Adams, Princess Coordinator. Additional board directors include Rick Smith, Adams; Connie Irvin, Rose Creek and Tanya Miller, LeRoy.