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Farm Events: |
Farm News: 2012 Fairest Of The Fair - Racine CountycommentsPosted: 01.12.2012 A young woman from the Racine county fair has been selected from a final field of 35 candidates as the 2012 Wisconsin Fairest of the Fair. Richelle Kastenson, representing the Racine county fair, will now accept responsibilities as the Wisconsin Fairest of the Fair. Jayme Buttke with the Wisconsin Fair Association said that she's never seen so much passion and enthusiasm for the fair industry as she did in this year's applicants.
Daughter of Rick and Julie Kastenson of Union Grove, Richelle attends the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where she is a senior. She is studying elementary education with a minor in special education. Following graduation, she hopes to complete half of her student teaching in Sweden with the goal of it making her a more diverse and well-rounded teacher. She also plans to earn her master’s degree in the future. She has been a member of the Racine County 4-H for 14 years, and during her time as a 4-H intern created a 4-H Roadshow, which was a program teaching different urban youth organizations about 4-H. Her leadership has also been exhibited as the Racine County 4-H Ambassador Advisor through which she mentors a group of 15 youth through monthly meetings, participation in community activities, assisting with a multitude of 4-H programs and hosting a leadership conference for four different counties. Richelle is also familiar with the Wisconsin State Fair where she was an intern for the agriculture department in the summer of 2011.
Kastenson was selected as Fairest of the Fairs from a field of impressive young women, and replaces the 2011 Fairest of the Fairs, Alexis Nickelotti of Vernon County. The Fairest of the Fairs was chosen by a panel of three judges representing the fair, media/communications, and agriculture industries.
The panel included Ron Oleheiser of Minnesota, a newspaper veteran of 35 years, 25 of which he served as the publisher of the Grand Rapids Herald Review. Oleheiser is also active in the fair industry having served as the Commercial Exhibit Superintendent of the Itasca County Fair, as a board member of the Minnesota Federation of County Fairs, as a Zone 4 Director of the International Association of Fairs for three years and currently serves on the Board of Managers for the Minnesota State Fair.
Laura Mihm, the Corporate Communications Manager of Foremost Farms USA, of Baraboo also judged the competition. Mihm got her start in the fair industry at the age of 8 when she joined 4-H. She has a degree in
Political Science and Broadcast Journalism and worked in broadcasting and publishing for 12 years as a news anchor, reporter and editor.
The final judge on the panel, Michelle Radcliffe, has had a lifelong involvement with 4-H and also operates her own farm. She is a former Miss Wisconsin Co-ed Pageant, and has participated in several other pageants. She has also chaired local rodeo queen contests and aided in queen training seminars.
“The dedication and passion for the fair industry was evident among the talented young women who competed, which is important as they are the future of the fair and agriculture industries,” stated Fairest of the Fairs Judge Laura Mihm. “All of the young women were well-spoken, represented diverse talents and interests. Each of their respective counties should be quite proud of their Fairest.”
Bethany Rieth, 21, representing Oconto County Fair was named first runner-up. Bethany is the daughter of Jim and Sandy Reith of Oconto Falls. Bethany attends the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she is a sophomore.
Jerianne Blau, 20, representing Columbia County Fair was announced as the second runner-up. She is a sophomore at University of Winona State. Blau’s parents, Mary and Randy Blau, reside in Merrimac.
Kayla Oberstadt, 21, representing Waupaca County Fair was named as third runner-up and received an additional honor being selected as Miss Congeniality by her fellow contestants. Kayla is the daughter of Russ and Marcia Oberstadt of New London and is a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
Erica Spiegelberg, 19, representing the Waukesha County Fair was named fourth runner-up. The daughter of James and Karen Spiegelberg of New Berlin, Erica attends the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she is a sophomore.
“Each year, the Wisconsin State Fair staff is impressed by the quality of the young women participating in the Fairest of the Fairs competition,” stated Patrice Harris, communications manager of the Wisconsin State Fair. “Fairgoers, exhibitors and the staff are always excited about the opportunity to meet and work with Fairest. The newly crowned Fairest, Richelle Kastenson, interned with the Fair’s agriculture department this past summer, so many of the staff know her and will be very excited to continue contributing to her personal and professional development in her role as Fairest of the Fairs.”
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