By By JOHN EBY / Niles Daily Star
CASSOPOLIS – Junior Tiffany Rogers and sophomore Zack Archer of Niles High School and Country Trailblazers 4-H Club reign over this week's 156th Cass County Fair as queen and king.
They shared their coronation Saturday night in the grandstand with princess Courtney Kuemin and prince Gavin Francis.
While 11 contestants competed for queen and another 10 vied for princess, the king and prince had no competition, even though the 2006 court extolled the free food and grandstand entertainment their titles scored them.
Kristen Miller, an Edwardsburg seventh grader, was princess first runner-up. Queen runner-up was Heather Ellis, a 2007 Niles graduate headed for Southwestern Michigan College this fall.
Gavin's brother, Austin, 2006 runner-up to king Josh Deubner, influenced him to run for prince.
"I would have liked more competition," said Gavin, son of Reid and Janet Francis, who will be showing two pigs this week. "It was kind of boring without anyone else to go up against."
Zack agreed. "It would have been kind of nice to have competition," the king said.
Zack, who wants to become a veterinarian's assistant after high school, will be showing chickens and ducks at this week's fair.
Gavin, a Cassopolis eighth grader, enjoys playing sports and hanging out with friends. He describes himself in three words as entertaining, outgoing and energetic. Just being at the fair "is a blast," but he particularly likes the demolition derby.
Zack, son of Timothy and Amy Archer, shows poultry, plays baseball and soccer and wrestles. He describes himself in three words as jovial, honest and trustworthy.
In keeping with the "Rockin' It" theme for the 13th annual pageant, Zack said his "biggest hit" at the fair was raising chickens from babies and showing them his first time last summer.
Zack said the fair could be improved with "more vendors because I like to eat the food."
Tiffany, daughter of David and Cheryl Rogers, enjoys playing piano, equestrian vaulting, playing soccer, scrapbooking, spending time with friends and family and showing draft horses at state and international shows. She is the granddaughter of 2005 fair grand marshals Irv and Dorothy Frost. Creative, enthusiastic and dedicated describe Tiffany.
Tiffany, 16, has been involved in 4-H for 12 years, showing draft horses, sheep, pigs, chickens, ducks, dogs and a variety of still exhibits.
"My biggest hit at the Cass County Fair occurred in 2002 when I entered the adult draft horse showmanship class. As I entered, my nerves got the better of me and I wondered why I had entered this class that was so far beyond my reach. The class proceeded as most showmanship classes do, except for the fact that I was showing against my 4-H leaders. Then it was time for the placing. The judge pulled me out first. I thought he must have been putting us in reverse order, but when he announced the results, to everyone's surprise, and my own, I won."
Tiffany, queen contestant 1, shows internationally at the Great Lakes International Draft Horse Show in Lansing. "People come from Canada and all across the United States," she said. She also belongs to the Drafted! draft horse club.
"I don't know" why more males didn't participate, the queen said, except "guys are kind of turned off by pageants." She was 2004 fair princess. Tiffany intends to attend Southwestern Michigan College for two years, transfer to Michigan State University and complete her education by studying agricultural law at Cooley Law School in Lansing.
To better the fair, Tiffany suggested making it longer.
"I would also suggest that they try to get another entertainer like they used to have. I understand that the cost and risk are great, but I think it would bring in more of a crowd," she told Mistress of Ceremonies Ashley Smego.
Beth Klug chaired the king and queen competition.
Her sister, Nicole Linton, was in charge of the fourth annual prince and princess pageant portion.