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Andre, George are selected as Rock County 4-H Fair royalty

Photo

Photo by Cat Szalkowski-Patneau

Anne George of Evansville 4-H and Ethan Andre of Newark Pioneers 4-H were crowned the 2010 Rock County Fair Queen and King.

JANESVILLE — After spending their lives in Rock County 4-H, Ethan Andre and Anne George are going out on top.

The two were named Rock County 4-H Fair king and queen Tuesday and will be the faces of 4-H for the next year.

“I was so surprised. I’m so honored. I’ve been in 4-H all my life,” Andre said while receiving congratulatory hugs and high fives from friends and loved ones.

“I guess working so hard for 13 years has paid off. It’s been a huge part of my life. It’s a huge honor to get to be the image that gets to promote the fair,” George said while wiping tears from her eyes.

Andre, 18, Newark Township, and George, 19, Evansville, were chosen among 10 male and 10 female finalists during the coronation ceremony at the fair’s grandstands. Of those, five men and five women made the court.

About 200 people attended the ceremony. Many were friends and family members of the nominees.

Candidates had to submit a written application and undergo a personal interview with judges. Both were scored. The results were kept secret until the ceremony.

The candidates were introduced to the crowd. Their schools, college plans and various 4-H projects were announced.

Andre plans to attend UW-Platteville and major in animal science. He wants to be a large animal veterinarian. He hopes to use his crown to show kids how fun 4-H can be.

“All the role models in my life have been 4-H’ers,” he said. “I hope I can do the best I can for anyone I come across.”

George plans to attend University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul, Minn., and major in forensic accounting. She wants to get new kids involved with 4-H.

She comes from a family line of 4-H’ers. Her grandparents and parents were involved in 4-H. Her brother was king. Her other brother was in the court. Her sister also made court.

“It’s our life,” she said.

At the ceremony, awards were handed out to other 4-H kids. An honor guard marched. The show choir performed “Stand by Me” and other songs.

The 2009 king and queen gave farewell speeches. Several onlookers took pictures and videos. A reception was held for everyone afterward.