CONGRATULATIONS

2012 WESTMORELAND FAIR QUEEN RACHEL SHEFFLER

Rachel Sheffler, of New Alexandria, PA, was crowned the 2012 Westmoreland Fair Queen on Friday, August 17. Rachel, age 18, the oldest daughter of Stanley and Debra Sheffler, was extremely thrilled and shocked when her name was announced as the 2012 Westmoreland Fair Queen. Rachel has been in 4-H for 8 years. At the Westmoreland Fair, Rachel has exhibited Horses, Dairy Goats, Breeding Meat Goats, Market Goats, Market Steers, Vegetables, Artwork, and Educational Exhibits. At this year’s fair, Rachel became the Reserve Champion Dairy Goat Showman with her Purebred French Alpine doe, April. With her Oberhasli dairy goat, Autumn, Rachel received Reserve Junior Champion and with her Boer Crossbred, Lucy, Rachel received Supreme Champion 4-H Doe in Show. In the past Rachel has received many awards including Champion Dairy Goat Showman, Champion Market Goat Showman, Reserve Champion Western Horse Showman, and Reserve Champion Premier Showman. Rachel is extremely proud of her show career and hopes to share her success with younger members.

Rachel has also received many honors through the 4-H program. This year Rachel was name the 2012 Westmoreland County Outstanding 4-Her, received the Pennsylvania State University 4-H member Recognition Award. In 2011 Rachel was named a Pennsylvania State Outstanding 4-H Horse Member Finalist and was a finalist for the William J. Borbonous Good Sportsmanship Award. Rachel has won many skill-a-thons for her knowledge in both horses and goats. This year Rachel and her team qualified for the National 4-H Horse Roundup in Louisville Kentucky.

Rachel is a 2012 graduate of Greensburg Salem High School. During her years at Greensburg, Rachel focused her schooling in an advanced Math and Science based curriculum. After completing the highest level Biology class Greensburg offers, Rachel applied for Independent Study Course Work. During this Independent Study Course, Rachel designed her own curriculum based on her interests. Rachel designed and executed a comparative anatomy course where she dissected a variety of animals including a turtle, a dogfish shark and a fetal horse. Rachel says this course furthered her interest in Biology and Veterinary Medicine. Rachel is currently attending the Pennsylvania State University as a Veterinary and Biomedical Science Major.

Throughout her reign as fair queen, Rachel plans to attend fairs across the state and parades and festivals in her community to promote the fair and agriculture in Westmoreland County. As a way to give back to her community Rachel hopes to continue volunteering during her reign. Rachel is very excited for the year ahead and can’t wait to compete for the State Title in January in Hershey, PA.

Although Rachel’s 4-H years will be coming to a close at the end of her fair queen reign, she will be at the fair for many years to come. Rachel hopes to continue to mentor younger members with their projects. In the future Rachel hopes to become a 4-H leader.