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