When Chelsea Rawe was younger, she was impressed by the pageantry of the Oakland County Fair Queen.
‘When I was little, I would see the girls with their crowns and thought, ‘one day, I want to be like them.?? Rawe said.
The 15-year-old Clarkston High School student earned her own crown at the 2008 County Fair, coronated July 7 along with fair King Chad Geoit.
‘I was really excited,? said Rawe, of Springfield Township. ‘It’s cute to see the little girls look at me and say to their mom and dad, ‘I see the queen!??
‘It seems unreal,? said Geoit, 17, Lapeer East High School student. ‘I’ve looked up to the fair king all these years, and now I’m stepping into the role.?
To earn their crowns, they submitted applications, interviewed with a celebrity-judge panel, and gave a speech.
Rawe spoke about citizenship and scholarship, and Geoit talked about the difference between Future Farmers of America and 4H, two groups to which he belongs.
‘Both are great programs,? he said. ‘It seems more competitive in FFA.?
This is his first year with FFA, his 13th with 4H.
‘When I was little, I came to the fair with my parents and saw the rabbits,? he said. ‘We’ve been coming back ever since.?
He has raised and exhibited his own rabbits, as well as goats, lambs, peacocks, ducks, chickens, and almost everything else, he said.
Chelsea, who has been with 4H about six years and is studying to be a veterinarian, brought five sheep for exhibition and completed a project on how to help dogs with ‘hot spots? on their skin, which lead to bald patches and sores.
As fair king and queen, they attend public events on behalf of the county fair.
‘We’ll try to get little kids involved in the fair,? Rawe said.
‘I want to go to different county fairs and see what I can bring back to improve our fair,? Geoit said.
Both plan to stay involved with 4H as they finish high school and go on to college.
‘I definitely want to stay in the agricultural field, and help with 4H,? Geoit said.
‘I want to be a 4H club leader in college, So many people put so much time in 4H,? Rawe said. ‘I want to help others have the same chance I had.?