That's All Folks!

This past weekend Iowa Hereford Juniors from around the state came together to exhibit their cattle and to reconnect with each other in Spencer, IA. Saturday morning was the junior meeting, where we elected the board of directors and heard three great speeches. The new directors are as follows:

President: Karly Biddle
Vice President: Jacob Arp
Secretary: Ella Meyer
Treasurer: M'Lynn Knapp

Directors:
Alecia Knapp
Max Cherry
Colton Black
Lindsay Black
Cortney Cooper
Collin Johnson

Sunday was bittersweet for me, as I passed on the title before the show began. I have had a wonderful experience this past year, and will never forget all the memories and all that I have learned. The friends I have made will be life long, and I wish the best of luck to all of the National Hereford Queen Candidates this fall.

Congratulations to Karly Biddle, 2012 Iowa Hereford Queen and Ella Meyer, 2012 Iowa Hereford Princess!

Thank you to both the Iowa Hereford Association and the Iowa Junior Association for all of your support and also for helping me at the events. Thank you also to Tena Biddle, my queen coordinator, without your help I would not have had this great experience. And of course thank you to my family for being "Queenie's Barn Crew," my escort, and dealing with all of the fashion!

See you at Junior Nationals!

Alecia Knapp
2011 Iowa Hereford Queen
1st Runner-Up National Hereford Queen

Iowa Hereford Preview-Tomorrow!

I can't believe that it's been a year already! Tomorrow my family will load up two heifers and a steer and drive to Spencer, IA for the 2012 Iowa Hereford Preview. Then on Sunday right before the show I will pass on the crown, I can't believe it's that time already! I can't wait to see all my fellow juniors and their families again. I wish everyone safe travel to the show and a fun and exciting weekend! See you in Spencer, Alecia Knapp Iowa Hereford Queen 2011

2012 Iowa Beef Expo

I had a great first day at the Iowa Beef Expo! It was great to be back at the Iowa State Fair Grounds! To start off my day I was the announcer for the Parade in the Pavilion, which was lots of fun! If you know me, then you know that I love to talk! I also loved getting to see fellow Hereford juniors and breeders, it was great to catch up with everyone! After the parade I walked through the barn with my Dad, who is my chaperone for the first part of this trip. After lunch we made our way to the North Annex of the Cattle Barn for the sale. The stands were packed again this year! I got to draw the winner of the Junior Association's 50/50 raffle, and then they auctioned off the Junior's donated lots which included ad space in three different magazines and also a painting that Karly Biddle (IA Jr Hereford Princess) and I held for everyone to see. For the rest of the sale I ran tickets from the auction block to the settlement table. Overall I had a great day talking with everyone and seeing some excellent cattle! 

Alecia Knapp, 2011 Iowa Hereford Queen

Iowa Beef Expo: This week!

Tomorrow I will be at the Iowa Beef Expo in Des Monies, IA! I am very excited to help with the parade in the morning at 9 am, and then the sale at 12 pm. This will be my 6th Expo, and my second attending the sale. I should be fairly easy to spot with my tiara and sash! Come say hi, I love to talk! I will also be around on Jr. Show day, and will be present for pictures with Herefords! Don't be afraid to ask me to jump in yours, I love to hold ribbons! I hope all exhibitors have a wonderful and safe weekend in Des Monies!

Here is the Sale Catalog

See You in Des Monies!

Alecia Knapp, 2011 Iowa Hereford Queen

Year in Review!

My Experience as the Iowa Hereford Queen began on June 19th, 2011, Father's Day. I was crowned by retiring Queen Miss Emma Offenburger at the Iowa Junior Hereford Preview Show. The Iowa Hereford Princess is Karly Biddle. I handed out ribbons, awards, chin-ups, and took pictures with the winners. I also exhibited two steers that day. That same weekend the Junior board had elections and I was Elected to the Board of Directors and named Treasurer.
The Board Members are as Follows:

President: Karly Biddle, Vice President: Max Cherry, Secretary: Peyton Schmitt, Treasurer: Alecia Knapp,

Directors: Colton Black, Lindsay Black, Cortney Cooper, Jacob Arp, Collin Johnson, and Ryan Johnson

My next adventure was the Junior National Hereford Expo in Kansas City, MO July 9-16th, but the actual adventure began long before that! As Queen I was responsible for stall cards and Booth decorations. I also had to prepare my Official Summer Outfits for the Queen events and show days. The stall cards were a blast to design! I used a sunflower with a blue and green background with the show logo in the center of the sunflower (shown)

As for the summer outfits we eneded up making skirts since the requirements are that it be long, to cover the top of the boots and that the skirt must flow enough so that the Queen can walk easily. Junior Nationals were amazing! I spent the entire week surrounded by Herefords and other Juniors! All of the Queens attended the Queens Tea that was put on by Miss Bethany Nolan, the National Hereford Queen, where we got to meet with many young girls. We spent three solid days leading in classes, handing out ribbons, smiling and taking pictures. We were the lucky girls who got to hold the heavy rocks in the Class Winner pictures! whew-they were heavy, but wonderful prizes! After Jr. Nationals I prepared for the Royal which you can read about in my post specifically about the American Royal and the National Hereford Queen Competition!
~Alecia Knapp, 2011 Iowa Hereford Queen

Kansas City- American Royal

From October 27 to the 30th Kansas City was overrun with Hereford lovers, breeders and supporters from across the nation. I attended along with seven other state queens and Miss Bethany Nolan the 2011 National Hereford Queen. The state queens running for National Queen were: Bridget Beran (Kansas), Atyala Witthun (Nebraska), Amanda Bacon (Arkansas), Devann Gregory (Missouri), Ashton Lierle (Oklahoma), Sarah Smith (Texas) and myself. Also joining us on show day was Karen Roberts (Georgia). Friday evening we had orientation, and then the Hereford homecoming reception, where we got to meet breeders from across the country. Saturday morning were the interviews for National Queen. I was lucky and had an early interview, so my nerves weren't too bad! That afternoon we attended the Annual National Hereford Women's meeting where we introduced ourselves and Miss Bethany thanked them for the opportunity to serve as N. Queen this past year. Following the meeting we went to the Royal for the first time! We attended the Ladies of the Royal sale and sat together. We were also asked to show off our queen waves to show the bidders how to properly place a bid! :) Sunday was the Junior Hereford show followed by the National Open show. We all arrived early to set out the ribbons and take pictures. We then spent the day leading in classes and handing out ribbons and awards. Coronation took place directly before the Grand Champion Bull Selection. Queen Results are as follows:

2012 National Hereford Queen: Amanda Bacon, Arkansas
1st Runner-Up: Alecia Knapp, Iowa
2nd Runner-Up: Devann Gregory, Missouri
Miss Congeniality: Sarah Smith, Texas (Polled)

We all has a wonderful time and I can't wait to see all of the other queens again!

~Alecia Knapp, 2011 IA Hereford Queen