Sharpsburg teen crowned Ag Expo queen

July 22, 2006|by CANDICE BOSELY

WASHINGTON COUNTY - Erin Canfield was a shoo-in to become the Washington County Ag Expo queen for 2006.

Sure, she was the only contestant, but emcee Robbie Shaw said Canfield's leadership and agricultural background will make her a fine queen.

Canfield, 15, of Sharpsburg, was crowned the queen Friday a little before 6 p.m., and performed her first official duty as queen - awarding prizes to the top finishers in the demolition derby - a couple of hours later.

Although she was the only contestant, Canfield still had to answer questions posed to her by the event's emcee. To her right, cows mooed and to her left, sheep bleated - perfect brackets to capture the agricultural flair of the moment.

At the Ag Expo, Canfield has entered breeding sheep, market lambs, market hogs and beef steer, as well as indoor exhibits in photography and food and nutrition.

She also is participating in tractor pulls.

Canfield has accrued more than 100 hours of community service, mostly by helping older farmers make hay and grind feed. She helped to make 350 tray favors for veterans, thanking them for their service to the country.

Canfield said she entered the contest because she believed she could adequately represent the Ag Expo. Her parents and grandparents are lifelong farmers, and Canfield has been a member of 4-H for seven years.

Competition from others would have been fine, she said. The pageant was open to any single Washington County high-school girl.

"I think I would have preferred competition because then it would have been a little better to see more people want to represent the Ag Expo," said Canfield, who hopes to one day become a large-animal veterinarian.

After the contest, Canfield admitted she was nervous during the competition.

"It's the first time I've ever done anything public, getting up on stage and talking," she said.

Those nerves weren't too calm even after the event.

"I think it's gonna take awhile to get used to being queen," Canfield said.

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