From left: Judge Roberto Vinces, 2021 Allentown Fair Queen Mackenzie Blatt, 2022 Allentown Fair Queen Allison Emanuel, First Alternate Kamryn Fink, Judge Erin Anthony, Judge Mike Firestine

Two Lehigh County 4-H members recently had great success in the 2022 Great Allentown Fair Queen Contest. Members Allison Emanuel and Kamryn Fink vied for the title alongside three other young women, to represent the fair and agriculture.

Contestants participated in different segments to the competition including evening own/introduction, speech presentation, impromptu question, and essay/application.

At the conclusion of the contest, the title of the Allentown Fair Queen was presented to Allison Emanuel of Laury’s Station.

Kamryn Fink, of Germansville, was the First Alternate and was also awarded the newly developed Nancy Decker Meaney Community Service Award.

Judge Mike Firestine remarked, “It was apparent the top two candidates were 4-H members. They had confidence, poise, and public speaking skills.”

When asked about 4-H, Allison said, “4-H has helped me by instilling skills such as leadership, public speaking, and hard work. I used those skills while talking with pillars in our community, promoting agriculture, and during the contest itself. I can guarantee that without 4-H, I would not have won the title of 2022 Allentown Fair Queen.”

Both young women are actively involved in the Lehigh County 4-H program. Allison is a member of the Potato Judging Club, President of the Farm to Table Club, and an officer of Teen Council. She received the Lehigh County 4-H Teen Initiative Award in 2019 & 2021, as well as the 4-H Green, White, Bronze & Silver Clover Awards. Kamryn is involved in the Potato Judging Club, Livestock Club and Cooking Club. A few of her accomplishments include 4-H Clover Awards, Outstanding 4-H Project Books for market goats and hogs, and attendance of PA Agriscience Summit, Capital Days and State Leadership Conference on scholarship.

The contest was held opening night of the fair, August 31st at 7:30pm on the Farmerama Stage.

Many educational and fun activities are offered by 4-H in Pennsylvania. In Pennsylvania, 4-H is coordinated by Penn State Extension through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 4-H programs are open to all youths regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or disability. For more information about the above events or other 4-H activities, call the 4-H office in your county: Lehigh 610-391-9840 or LehighExt@psu.edu.

Administered through Penn State Extension, 4-H is a community of more than 6 million young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. 4-H is found in all 67 Pennsylvania counties. County 4-H educators work with volunteers to deliver non-formal education opportunities to youth ages 5-18. To find your local program, visit the Penn State Extension website at https://extension.psu.edu/programs/4-h.