Wiles is first Ag Ambassador

August 03, 2003

The Washington County Farm Bureau crowned 16-year-old Sara Wiles as its last Farm Queen and first Agriculture Ambassador during a Saturday evening ceremony at the Washington County Ag Expo.

Though the expo has its own queen contest, organizers provide a venue for the farm bureau's annual contest. This year, Sara was the only contestant.

That didn't spare her having to answer a competition question. Asked to comment on this year's change from "Farm Queen" to "Ag Ambassador," Wiles gave a spirited reply.

"I don't like it being changed to an ambassador program," she said, adding that she heard it was being changed so boys could compete.

And exchanging a crown for a blazer presented a practical disadvantage, she said: "I don't want to wear a blazer in 90-degree weather."

The change takes away a position for little girls to aspire to, she said.

"She's honest," observed a spectator. "I like her."

A resident of Fairplay, Sara got permission to attend Clear Spring High School for its agricultural program, she said.

Sara is the daughter of Robert and Vickie Wiles of Fairplay. In being crowned Farm Queen, Sara continues a family tradition - Vickie Wiles was Farm Queen for both Washington County and the state.

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