Abigail Zurcher, representing the Mid–Columbia Counties, was crowned as the 2018-2019 Washington State Dairy Ambassador. Abigail was one of five finalists at the 63rd Annual Washington State Dairy Ambassador Coronation at the Bellevue High School Performing Arts Center in Bellevue, Wash.

Rebecca Ford representing Lewis County and Jacoba (Cobi) VanSlageren representing the Yakima Valley area were selected as equal Alternate State Dairy Ambassadors.

As a representative of the Dairy Farmers of Washington, the State Dairy Ambassador and Alternates will visit schools, attend local and state fairs, appear at Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) events, parades and many more activities including addressing the Washington State Legislature promoting the health and nutrition benefits of dairy products.

The dairy industry was well represented by their 2017-2018 Washington State Dairy Ambassador Anna Teachman (SeaTac) and Alternate State Dairy Ambassadors Juliana LeClair (Mount Vernon) and Claire Leininger (Everson). These young ladies traveled around the state educating students, parents and others on the positive impact and value of Washington’s dairy industry and the importance of dairy products.

Abigail Zurcher, the newly crowned WA State Dairy Ambassador, represented the Mid-Columbia counties. She is the daughter of Ed and Heather Zurcher from Mesa. Growing up on her family’s dairy, Abigail has a passion for agriculture and Dairy. She is active in 4H and FFA, showing heifers at the county fair and competing in FFA dairy related contests. Abigail is a 2018 graduate of Connell High School where she was very involved in student government, sports, and was an Honor Roll Recipient. Her future plans include attending the University of Idaho to major in Elementary Education and teaching kindergarten through third grade students in a small rural school district surrounded by agriculture.

Rebecca Ford is the newly crowned Alternate State Dairy Ambassador and represented Lewis County. She is the daughter of John and Rochelle Ford of Chehalis. Rebecca did not grow up on a dairy farm but found her love of dairy while working on a local dairy farm where she milked, fed calves, and assisted with healthcare of the animals. She is very involved in FFA, holding an offer position as well as competing on the state level in several areas. Rebecca is a 2018 graduate of W.F. West High School. Her future plans include earning a degree in Animal Science from Washington State University and continuing her education at the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, with the goal of becoming a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

Jacoba (Cobi) Van Slageren is the newly crowned Alternate State Dairy Ambassador and represented the Yakima Valley. She is the daughter of Dirk and Carol VanSlageren of Granger. Cobi grew up on her family’s dairy farm where she is now a part-time employee. She has been a member of 4H for the past nine years, completing 9 dairy and 3 market steer projects, winning awards with both at the local fairs and Livestock shows. Cobi is a 2018 graduate of Sunnyside Christian High School where she was a member of Honors Society, Honors Choir and sports. Her future plans include attending Dordt College to earn an Elementary Education degree with the goal of teaching elementary school and helping children learn life skills and more about the agricultural community.

Administrated by the Washington State Dairy Women, the Dairy Ambassador program began in 1955 and has mentored and supported outstanding young women.

The 2018 Washington State Dairy Ambassador Coronation will be held Saturday, June 23, 2018 at the Bellevue High School Performing Arts Center, 10416 SE Wolverine Way, Bellevue WA 98004. Light hors d’oeuvres and refreshment will be served at intermission. The doors open at 5 p.m., and the program begins at 6 p.m.

“It will soon be time to say good bye and thank you to our current State Dairy Ambassador Anna Teachman (SeaTac) and State Alternates Juliana LeClair (Mount Vernon) and Claire Leininger (Everson). They have been a pleasure to work with and done a wonderful job representing the Dairy Farmers of Washington,” said Tammi Schoenbachler, state ambassador advisor. “We wish them well as they move on to the next chapter in their lives.”

Tickets ordered by June 12th are $20 for adults, $10 for students, and free for children six and under. Tickets purchased after June 12th or at the door will be adults $25, students $15, and under 6 still free. Tickets will be available for pick up at the door. For ticket information, please contact Gloria Edwards by email at gloria.wsdw@hotmail.com or 360.273.7313.

This program provides a tremendous professional and educational opportunity for young women in Washington State. The young women chosen to serve as Washington’s Ambassadors for Milk receive a generous college scholarship, internships, and extensive communications training.

We have five well qualified contestants representing their local areas:

Rebecca Ford ~ Lewis County: Rebecca Ford is the Lewis County Dairy Ambassador contestant. She is the daughter of John and Rochelle Ford of Chehalis. Rebecca did not grow up on a dairy farm but found her love of dairy while working on a local dairy farm where she milked, fed calves, and assisted with healthcare of the animals. She is very involved in FFA, holding an offer position as well as competing on the state level in several areas. Rebecca is a 2018 graduate of W.F. West High School. Her future plans include earning a degree in Animal Science from Washington State University and continuing her education at the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, with the goal of becoming a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

Agathe Lopez ~ King-Pierce Counties: Agathe Lopez is the King-Pierce Dairy Ambassador contestant.  She is the daughter of Michel and Nelly Lopez of Carnation.  Agathe did not grow up on a dairy farm but has always enjoyed being around farming and animals.  She got interested in 4H by watching her friend show dairy cows and helping her at a dairy.  Agathe is now an officer in her 4H club and shows her friend’s dairy cows at local and county fairs.  She graduated from Cedarcrest High School in 2017 and is currently attending Bellevue College to attain her Associates Degree, with plans of attending Pierce College to attain her Veterinary Technician degree.

Ballie Schultz ~ King-Pierce Counties:  Bailie Shultz is the King-Pierce Dairy Ambassador contestant.  She is the daughter of Sheila Shultz of Renton.  Bailie did not grow up on a dairy farm, but her grandparents, mom and uncle, are retired dairy farmers and have always encouraged her to keep her connection with dairy. She is a member of 4H, where she now shows dairy heifers and rabbits earning many awards in both.  Bailie is a 2018 graduate of Liberty High School where she is very active in sports and the school newspaper.  Her future plans include attending Oregon State University to attain a degree in Animal Science and Sustainability with the goal of helping farmers and making our world a more sustainable place. 

Jacoba (Cobi) Van Slageren ~ Yakima Valley: Jacoba (Cobi) Van Slageren is the Yakima Valley Dairy Ambassador contestant.  She is the daughter of Dirk and Carol Van Slageren of Granger.  Cobi grew up on her family’s dairy farm where she is now a part-time employee.  She has been a member of 4H for the past nine years, completing 9 dairy and 3 market steer projects, winning awards with both at the local fairs and Livestock shows.  Cobi is a 2018 graduate of Sunnyside Christian High School where she was a member of Honors Society, Honors Choir and sports.  Her future plans include attending Dordt College to earn an Elementary Education degree with the goal of teaching elementary school and helping children learn life skills and more about the agricultural community.

Abigail Zurcher ~ Mid-Columbia: Abigail Zurcher is the Mid-Columbia Dairy Ambassador contestant.  She is the daughter of Ed and Heather Zurcher from Mesa.  Growing up on her family’s dairy, Abigail has a passion for agriculture and Dairy.  She is active in 4H and FFA, showing heifers at the county fair and competing in FFA dairy related contests.  Abigail is a 2018 graduate of Connell High School where she was very involved in student government, sports, and was an Honor Roll Recipient.  Her future plans include attending the University of Idaho to major in Elementary Education and teaching kindergarten through third grade students in a small rural school district surrounded by agriculture.

Anna Teachman representing King-Pierce Counties is the 2017-2018 Washington State Dairy Ambassador. Anna is the daughter of Michael and Lorilyn Teachman of SeaTac, WA.  She was one of three finalists at the 62nd Annual Washington State Dairy Ambassador Coronation at the Byrnes Performing Arts Center in Arlington WA.

The new 2017-2018 Washington State Alternate Dairy Ambassadors are Juliana LeClair, representing Skagit County, the daughter of Joe and Annette LeClair of Mount Vernon, WA and Claire Leininger,representing Whatcom County, the daughter of Erik and Paula Leininger of Everson, WA.

The newly crowned WA State Dairy Ambassador stated “I am so excited to be representing the hard working dairy farmers of Washington for this year. Thank you Dairy Farmers for this opportunity!”

As a representative of the Dairy Farmers of Washington, the State Dairy Ambassador and Alternates will visit schools, attend local and state fairs, appear at Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) events, Teacher of the Week and many more activities including addressing the Washington State Legislature promoting the health and nutrition benefits of dairy products.

The dairy industry was well represented by their 2016-2017 Washington State Dairy Ambassador Alicia Smaciarz, the daughter of Terry and Lana Smaciarz (Raymond) and Alternate State Dairy Ambassadors Jana Plagerman, the daughter of Leroy and Rhonda Plagerman (Lynden) and Tiana Peterson, daughter of Tom and Bianca Peterson (Graham). These young ladies traveled around the state educating students, parents and others on the positive impact and value of Washington’s dairy industry and the importance of dairy products.

Left to right in the picture: Claire Leininger, Juliana LeClair, Anna Teachman, Alicia Smaciarz, Tiana Peterson, Jana Plagerman

Left to right: Juliana LeClair, Alternate Ambassador; Anna Teachman, WA State Dairy Ambassador; Claire Leininger, Alternate Ambassador

Administrated by the Washington State Dairy Women, the Dairy Ambassador program began in 1955 and has mentored and supported outstanding young women.

June is “Dairy Month” and also the traditional month for the Washington State Dairy Ambassador Contest.  This program provides a tremendous professional and educational opportunity for young women in Washington State.  The young women chosen to serve as Washington’s Ambassadors for Milk receive a generous college scholarship, internships, and extensive communications training.

“It will soon be time to say good bye and thank you to our 2016- 2017 State Dairy Ambassador Alicia Smaciarz (Raymond) and State Alternates Jana Plagerman (Lynden) and Tiana Peterson (Graham). They have done a fantastic job representing the Dairy Farmers of Washington this past year and I’m sure they will continue to be lifelong advocates of our industry. We wish them well as they move on to the next chapter in their lives….” commented Tammi Schoenbachler, State Ambassador Advisor.

Please join us for the 2017 Washington State Dairy Ambassador Coronation Saturday, June 24, 2017 at the Byrnes Performing Arts Center, 18821 Crown Ridge Blvd, Arlington, WA 98223.  Doors open at 5:00 pm, with the program beginning at 5:30 pm.  This year dinner will not be provided; instead there will be light Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments served during a short intermission. Tickets purchased by June 16^th will be adults $20, students $10, and under 6 years free. Tickets purchased after June 16th or at the door will be adults $25, students $15, under 6 still free.  We are hoping these changes will make it easier for families, farmers and students to attend. For ticket information, please contact Gloria Edwards by email at gloria.wsdw@hotmail.com or 360.273.7313.