Miller crowned Oregon dairy princess-ambassador
SALEM, Ore. — Emma Miller, representing Linn and Benton counties, was crowned the 2015 Oregon Dairy Princess-Ambassador during ceremonies Saturday night.
The 56th annual coronation was hosted by the Oregon Dairy Women at the Red Lion Hotel in Salem. Miller was among six county contestants vying for the 2015 title. Megan Sprute, representing Washington County was named first alternate, according to a press release.
Miller, 20, originally from Independence, is a student at Oregon State University where she is studying agricultural sciences in hopes of becoming a high school agriculture educator.
“I am passionate about agriculture,” Miller said in the press release. “I hope to help students find their passion as well.”
In college, she is actively involved in the Oregon State Dairy Club, the Agricultural Education Club and is second vice president of Sigma Alpha, a professional agricultural sorority.
Her speech during the contest, titled “Dairy Farming and America’s Future Generations,” discussed her passion and appreciation for the hard-working dairy farmers who produce one of her favorite things, milk. Miller spent two days in interviews, giving impromptu speeches and interacting with the three judges before she was selected.
Miller will spend the next 12 months traveling statewide attending fairs, town meetings and public events as a representative of Oregon’s dairy farmers. Much of her reign will be spent in Oregon elementary schools delivering educational presentations about life on a dairy farm and the nutritional benefits of consuming dairy products.
Upon being crowned, Miller received over $3,000 in scholarships. Outgoing Dairy Princess-Ambassador Danielle Bull received over $14,000 for her year. She met with over 15,000 students, telling them of the benefits of dairy products and about life on a dairy farm.
Megan Sprute, representing Washington County, was named first alternate Oregon dairy princess-ambassador. Also a recipient of scholarships, Sprute will assist in the promotion of the dairy industry throughout the state in the coming year. Courteney Ellis of Clackamas County was voted by her peers to receive the congeniality award, .
The other finalists included Teri McGettigan of Columbia County, Sara Pierson of Marion County and Charish Ingram of Tillamook County.
Oregon Dairy Women is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization with the main objective to promote the dairy industry.