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Earhart, Shipley are royalty winners

The 2014 4-H Royalty champions are Jessie Earhart (right) and Tanner Shipley. They were crowned during a pageant Friday, July 11, at Huntington North High School.
The 2014 4-H Royalty champions are Jessie Earhart (right) and Tanner Shipley. They were crowned during a pageant Friday, July 11, at Huntington North High School. Photo by Rebecca Sandlin.

After hours of training to sharpen their public speaking skills, shine in their stage presence and impress during interviews, two Huntington County 4-H members, Jessie Earhart and Tanner Shipley, emerged to be crowned the 2014 Female and Male Royalty winners.

The contest took place Friday, July 11, at Huntington North High School. Earhart and Shipley were chosen from a short list of six contenders, four females and two males.

In the female contest, Julie Winters received first runner-up, Casey Richman received second runner-up and Deandra Wygant received third runner-up honors. In the male contest Jowaun Scher was chosen as first runner-up.

All contestants won scholarships for their participation. Earhart and Shipley each won $500 scholarships as part of their prizes. Winters and Scher received $250 scholarships and Richman and Wygant received $100 scholarships.

Earhart is the daughter of Doug and Jo Ellen Earhart. She is a member of the Blue Ribbon Riders 4-H Club and graduated from Huntington North High School this year. Her plans include entering Purdue University in the fall to study animal sciences, with the goal of becoming a veterinarian.

Earhart says becoming the royalty champion will broaden her list of accomplishments.

"I think it's an amazing experience and I think it's a great way to give back to the 4-H program, and the multiple opportunities we'll have as the royalty champions," Earhart said. "It's something that you don't really get to do in everyday life. It's a good way to test your skills."

Shipley is the son of Mike and Kristi Shipley and the late Carrie Shipley. He is a member of the Pork Chop 4-H Club and will be a senior at HNHS. His future aspirations include having a boar stud operation and raising show pigs.

Shipley says the royalty champions set the bar for other 4-H'ers, both during the fair and throughout the year.

"I know when I was little everybody in the ring was role models to me, and giving me ribbons or whatever I got," he said, "so it's nice to give back to the little kids that look up to everybody."

During the day, the six contestants were judged on speeches, interviews, their personality, their 4-H involvement and professional wear. In the evening session, they were judged on formal wear and answering an impromptu question.

The 2013 champions, Abby Blocker and Cordell Lewis, gave speeches, conducted the impromptu questions and awarded prizes. Blocker's brothers, Cory and Tyler Blocker, emceed the event. Tyler Blocker was chosen the male royalty champ in 2011.

The royal court can be seen at the various shows and events during the 4-H Fair, handing out ribbons as well as working at events such as the auction, which takes place Thursday, July 24. Earhart will also compete at the Indiana State Fair Queen Contest, which takes place Jan. 2 to 4, 2015 at the State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis.