Westergard and Schilmoeller reign as fair queen and king

(Sentinel photo by Beverly Van Buskirk) The 2009 Plymouth County Fair King Ben Schilmoeller and Queen Caine Westergard do the traditional "royalty wave" minus the convertible ride Tuesday in Century Hall. The crowning ceremony was moved from the grandstand arena to Century Hall for the second year because of rain. [Click to enlarge]

It may have been raining outside, but the smiles were shining bright in Century Hall as the 2009 Plymouth County Fair royalty court was announced Wednesday.

Ben Schilmoeller was crowned king and Caine Westergard was crowned queen of the 2009 fair.

Their royalty court includes Princes Ryan Schroeder and Brian Kehm; Mr. Personality Chris Erickson; Miss Congeniality and Princess Stephany TenNapel and Princess Angie Breuer.

(Sentinel photo by Beverly Van Buskirk) The 2009 Plymouth County Fair Royalty court are, (from left) -- Mr. Personality Chris Erickson; Prince Ryan Schroeder; Prince Brian Kehm; King Ben Schimoeller; Queen Caine Westergard; Miss Congeniality and Princess Stephany TenNapel; and Princess Angie Breuer. [Click to enlarge]

Westergard, 17, is the daughter of Carl and Colleen Westergard of rural Ireton. She is an eight-year member of the Johnson Jrs. 4-H Club and represented her club in the queen contest.

She will be a senior at Akron-Westfield High School this fall.

Westergard is very involved in 4-H at all levels. She is a member of the State 4-H Council, Northwest Area 4-H Council and the Plymouth County Council.

Westergard is also active in the Plymouth County Barn Quilt project, is an Iowa State Fair Volunteer, has participated in the 4-H Legislative Day, and is a Project Pals and state fair Blue Ribbon "Buy a Brick" donor.

She has received numerous 4-H awards, has shown projects at the Iowa State Fair, and was a National 4-H Congress candidate.

In her community, Westergard is an American Red Cross lifeguard and swim instructor, an American Heart Association volunteer and lobbyist, and a Care Center Animal Visitation volunteer.

She is also the children's bell choir assistant at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, rural Akron.

Westergard is active in many school activities, including Student Council, band cheerleading, volleyball, choir, golf, individual and large group speech, plays, and Lakeside Lab.

She has a 4.0 grade point and is an honor roll student, a member of National Honor Society and has served as class officer.

Westergard attended Iowa Legion Auxiliary Girls State and was elected governor in July.

Her hobbies include reading, spending time with family and friends, swimming, working out and playing with her pets.

Westergard credits 4-H with many learning experiences, looking to the 4-H pledge of Head, Heart, Health and Hands as her guide.

"Everything I need to know I've gained from my experiences in 4-H," she said.

Crowned king, Schilmoeller, 16, is the son of Susan and Robert Jensen of Le Mars. He has been a member of the Le Mars FFA chapter for two years and represented the chapter in the contest.

He is involved in FFA, the Le Mars Community High School (LCHS) Big Red Band and the Le Mars Community Schools (LCS) Student Leadership Team.

Schilmoeller has received many awards including the 2008 Star Chapter Greenhand; Greenhand test gold and silver; Greenhand Chapter Degrees, 2009 Forage Production Proficiency award in placement, and gold SAE Recordbook award.

He also received third place for his 2008-09 Winter Fundraiser.

Schilmoeller is on the school honor roll and is vice president of the Le Mars FFA Chapter.

Schilmoeller's hobbies include working on his grandpa's farm, fishing, hunting, and being on the show choir crew.

He calls his experience in FFA "life-changing," giving him good record keeping skills and more confidence in speaking in front of others.

Stephany TenNapel of Le Mars took two honors during Wednesday's pageant, being named Princess and chosen Miss Congeniality, by her fellow candidates.

The 17-year-old daughter of Dave and Amy TenNapel has been a member of the Classy Clovers 4-H Club for eight years.

She is active in a number of activities at LCHS, including being on the Dog Pound newspaper staff, varsity golf and team manager for the volleyball and boys basketball team. She is also an LCS student ambassador.

Angie Breuer was also named Princess.

She is the daughter of Steve and Lynn Breuer of Le Mars and is 17 years old.

Breuer has been a member of Le Mars FFA for three years and a 4-H member for eight years. She represented the Le Mars FFA chapter in the queen contest.

She has earned several honors in the FFA organization and has served as president of the local chapter. She credits 4-H and FFA with giving her communication, leadership and teamwork skills.

Named Mr. Personality by his fellow king contestants was 18-year-old Chris Erickson. He is the son of Bruce and Brenda Erickson of Le Mars.

Erickson is a nine-year member of the American Panthers 4-H Club, and represented the club in the contest.

He has earned awards for sheep, horses, cattle and woodworking projects, and works with the organization, Clowns for Christ, a youth group which participates in mission trips.

Prince Ryan Schroeder, 18, is the son of Tony and Shirley Schroeder of Le Mars. He is a member of the Union Vikings 4-H Club and the Le Mars FFA Chapter.

He is a graduate of Remsen-Union High School, and worked to create a partnership between R-U and Le Mars Community which allowed R-U students to attend ag classes at LCS.

Prince Brian Kehm, 17, is a seven year member of the Stanton Lucky Clovers 4-H Club. He is the son of David and Janet Kehm of Le Mars. He, too, has been active in activities in 4-H, including being a member of the 4-H County Council.

Kehm is also a Boy Scout, attaining Eagle Scout rank, and active in his church.

The fair royalty will make numerous appearances at events during the Plymouth County Fair, and will represent the fair in parades in the area throughout the year.

Westergard will compete in the Iowa State Fair queen competition in August in Des Moines.

There were 20 candidates for fair queen and 11 candidates for fair king.