3 Stanislaus, Merced students vie for Dairy Princess title

Three high school students from Stanislaus and Merced counties will compete in this year’s District 6 Dairy Princess contest. The event will be held June 18 at Our Lady of Assumption Hall in Turlock.

The contestants are Laura De Raadt of Oakdale, Makenzie Neves of Turlock and Hannah Young of Los Banos.

Laura is the daughter of John and Joanne De Raadt of Oakdale. She attends Ripon Christian School, where she participates in concert and pep band. She’s a member of the California Scholastic Federation and has been awarded the President’s Award for Educational Excellence. In 4-H, she shows dairy cattle. Laura plans to attend California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and major in food science.

Makenzie is the daughter of Frank Neves and Zelia Carlson of Turlock. She attends Turlock High School, where she has participated in 4-H since 2006 showing dairy cattle, and currently serves as chapter president. Makenzie is also an FFA member on the dairy judging team and serves as chapter secretary. Her academic achievements include the National Society of High School Scholars, FFA State Farmer Degree and California Scholarship Federation. She was chosen FFA Winter Princess in 2014.

Hannah is the daughter of Richard and Gina Young of Los Banos. She attends Los Banos High School, participates in 4-H and FFA and has been a member of the California Junior Holstein Association and the Merced County Holstein Club. She’s on the 2015 California 4-H dairy judging state champion team and is FFA chapter secretary. Hannah plans to attend the University of Wisconsin, Madison, to major in dairy science and minor in agricultural business.

The student crowned Dairy Princess will represent the dairy industry in the counties of Stanislaus, Merced, Tuolumne, Alameda, Mariposa, Monterey, San Benito, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz. She will serve the area as ambassador for the dairy industry at schools, service groups and with the media.

The contest is sponsored by the District 6 Dairy Princess Committee and the California Milk Advisory Board. It will begin at 6 p.m. with a no-host social hour, followed by dinner and the contest at 7. To purchase tickets, contact Linda Teixeira at (209) 634-4500 or (209) 402-8305, or Lindsey Nunes at (209) 678-2450. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

This story was originally published May 22, 2015 at 2:56 PM with the headline "3 Stanislaus, Merced students vie for Dairy Princess title."