Elkhorn native to compete for 2013 Fairest of the Fair

By Kellen Olshefski

Staff Writer

For Elkhorn native Emily Watson, the Walworth County Fair and the Fairest of the Fair have contributed greatly to who she is today. Pursuing Fairest of the Fair was the next logical step in sharing that experience.

Born and raised in Elkhorn on a small farm in the Millard community area, Watson, 21, was exposed to animals at a young age, with her grandparents being pig farmers.

“It was all kind of part of who I was and it worked into the hobbies and passions I have now,” she said.

Watson

About twelve years ago, her father purchased her a Brown Swiss calf to show at the county fair and stuck with it up until last year, the last year she was eligible to do so.

“It’s something I don’t get to do as much as I’d like to, but it’s something I still hold on to from growing up on the farm and always having cows around,” she said.

As for her future, Watson attended the University of Wisconsin-Platteville her freshman year in college and will be attending the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in the fall to pursue a degree in Agricultural Education.

FFA Involvement

Joining in her freshman year at Elkhorn Area High School, for Watson, FFA has been one of her biggest passions.

Getting really involved over the years, she said she loved it all; educating area youth, planning events, and traveling to conferences and conventions state and nationwide.

Her love for FFA landed her in a prestigious position this past year when she was elected in June 2012 to serve as the FFA State Officer for Section 10, which covers 28-30 FFA chapters in southeast Wisconsin.

On the road 285 days out of the past year visiting chapters in her area, going to and speaking at conferences and conventions with members of the 10-person team, she was forced to take a year off of school, though it helped her find her true calling.

“Through that I really fell in love with agricultural education, from the teaching perspective,” she said.

“That’s something that’s near and dear to my heart, educating the youth about agriculture and being involved in the organization.”

Fairest of the Fair

As for Fairest of the Fair, Watson said showing at the fair as a 4-H member, you always saw the Fairest of the Fair as she awarded the ribbons and prizes from the Dairy Showman’s Contest.

Watson said being so involved in the fair, she got to know some of the Fairest of the Fair winners in the past few years.

“It was just something I realized I wanted to do as far as representing the fair and everything it stands for,” she said.

Essentially growing up at the fair, learning teamwork and work ethic, Watson said it was an amazing experience.

Watson noted that everybody who attends or shows at the fair has their own fair experience, and it’s those stories that as fairest of the fair she wants to hear and share.

“That passion to share everything the fair has to offer, I think that will make me a great candidate to represent the Walworth County Fair,” she said.

Watson will be competing against six other contestants for the title of Fairest of the Fair.

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