Dairy Princess Ball

Last night we attended the California Milk Advisory Board, District No. 3, 53rd Annual Dairy Princess Ball which was held in Petaluma at the Petaluma Veteran's Memorial Building. The responsibility of the crowned Dairy Princess and the 1st and 2nd Alternates are to act as goodwill ambassadors for the industry and speak at schools, fairs and community events about the importance of dairy products. Their hard work, love for the industry, endless energy, and grass-roots efforts reach consumers on a daily basis. The evening began with the Master of Ceremony, Ralph Sartori, presenting the six candidates and conducting the candidate interviews. Here are a few of the interviews........ Regina Camozzi.... Andrea Dolcini......... Emilie Strand........ The introduction of the 'Milk Maids' was next. These young women help with the event throughout the entire evening. They are juniors in high school and are potential candidates for next year's contest.

Paige wanted an up-close view of the stage. She sat on the floor next to the judge's table through the entire contest. She SO wants to be a princess.

The retiring Dairy Princess 2009-2010, Hope Hanselman gives her farewell speech...

The contest chairperson, Judy Buttke, is introduced and speaks about the contest and the candidate's preparations.

Retiring Dairy Princess, Hope, introduces and presents gifts to her 1st Alternate, Mandy Brazil and 2nd Alternate, Leanne Nunes.

The candidates are presented wearing their white gowns and gloves.

Regina Camozzi.......

Jenna Van De Ryt...............

Stephanie Rowley................

Jacqueline Balletto...............

Andrea Dolcini................

Emilie Strand.................

Audrey Wheeler, North Bay Dairy Women President, announces the winner of the Bernice Hadermann Award. The winner is Riggs ________(I'm sorry, can't remember Riggs' last name).........

Audrey is presenting candidate Regina Camozzi with the Florence Gilardoni Award.....

Last year's Miss Vitality, Kasey Peterson, announces Emilie Strand as this year's Miss Vitality winner......

Ralph introduces the judges. Michelle Cardoza, Kevin Blount and Leslie O'Neil.......

The candidates anxiously await the announcement of this year's Dairy Princess winner.....

The 2nd Alternate position goes to Stephanie Rowely....

The 1st Alternate position goes to Regina Camozzi..........

The 1st and 2nd Alternate positions are very important. The girls who sit in these positions will be very busy throughout the coming year, attending and helping at various community events.

Crowned as the 2010-2011 District 3 Dairy Princess is Emilie Strand!

Emilie gives her acceptance speech.......

Congratulations to Emilie and to Regina and Stephanie!!

All the girls did a fantastic job, I know the judges had a difficult time deciding.

Let the party begin.....

Paige finally found her crown........

Little ones watch as the contestants dance the first dance with their escorts...

Paige SO wanted to meet a princess. She decided to walk up to Jenna and ask her to dance....

Bryce wanted to dance too so he asked me if I would dance with him. Then after about three songs he tells me, "Mom, I want to dance with a REAL princess."

He also found Jenna and was extremely happy showing her his moves....

Everyone was having a great time..........

I'm pretty sure Paige was thinking if she sat on the chair up on stage, she would also turn into a princess......

Happy Sunday!