South Dakota's 59th State Dairy Princess will be crowned in Sioux Falls the evening of Tuesday, March 25. Five candidates are seeking the current title to replace Audrey Souza, Milbank, who has served the dairy industry for the past year. A program is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. at the Sioux Falls Convention Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in conjunction with the Central Plains Dairy Expo and Convention. The crowning of the 59th South Dakota Dairy Princess will be held at 6:30 p.m. during the Central Plains Dairy Expo's Welcome Reception. The five candidates are:
- Katelyn Grehl, Hitchcock, daughter of Frank and Julie Grehl;
- Martha Hartway, Castlewood, daughter of Charles and Darlene Hartway;
- Emily Massey, Olivet, daughter of Jim and Deb Massey;
- Katie Merrill, Parker, daughter of Allen and Kristi Merrill; and
- Mercedes Zemlicka, Watertown, daughter of Daron and Val Zemlicka.
The new princess receives a $1,000 scholarship from Midwest Dairy Association. A $500 scholarship from the Central Plains Dairy Expo is awarded to the runner-up. Each candidate will receive a $250 scholarship from Midwest Dairy Association South Dakota Division. Judging takes place prior to the coronation, and takes into account the candidate's general dairy knowledge and enthusiasm for the industry, communications skills and ability to reach key consumer audiences. Candidates must come from a dairy farm, be an employee or a daughter of an employee on a dairy farm, or have an interest in and affiliation with the dairy industry. Throughout the year, the South Dakota Dairy Princess assists with promotion of dairy products, particularly with young children and on-farm events. The Dairy Princess program is sponsored by Midwest Dairy Association through the dairy checkoff. 3.10.2014