Who will wear the crown?

The arrival of spring in Sonoma County means it’s also time to crown a new Dairy Princess from District 3 (Sonoma County) to serve as its ambassador for the California Milk Advisory Board.|

The arrival of spring in Sonoma County means it’s also time to crown a new Dairy Princess from District 3 (Sonoma County) to serve as its ambassador for the California Milk Advisory Board.

The Dairy Princess Program is an annual contest sponsored by the CMAB and North Bay Dairywomen that provides an opportunity for young women to represent the dairy industry in their district and across the state.

This year, there are four contestants vying for the title of Dairy Princess: Alexandra Gambonini, Hailee Hankins, Connie Jones and Alyssa McClure.

A panel of judges will decide which one of the contestants will be crowned based on who they feel will best represent the dairy industry. The winner will be announced at the 58th annual District 3 Dairy Princess Contest and Ball “Once Upon a Reign” to be held on Saturday, April 11 at the Petaluma Veterans Memorial Building.

Alexandra Gambonini

A senior at St. Vincent de Paul High School, Alexandra Gambonini, 17, has wanted to be a Dairy Princess ever since she was a little girl, watching other princess candidates in their white gowns speaking passionately and with poise about the dairy industry they loved.

“As I grew older, my passion for the dairy industry grew, as well, and has led me to where I am today - competing to be Dairy Princess,” said Gambonini, who works at Gamlake Dairy feeding, eartagging calves, vaccinating, taking DNA samples and registering calves.

The daughter of Frank and Stacey Gambonini of Petaluma, Alexandra has participated in Sonoma Valley 4-H and is a past president. She’s involved with the Petaluma Future Farmers of America, is current president of the Redwood Empire Junior Holstein Association and is past president of the California Junior Holstein Association.

Her extensive list of achievements includes winning the 2012 National Champion title with the FFA Team of Dairy Cattle Evaluation and Management at the career development event at the National FFA convention; sixth place Overall Individual at the 2012 National FFA Dairy Cattle Evaluation and Management Contest; and State Champion FFA Dairy Judging Team at Col Poly State FFA Finals in 2012.

After graduating from high school, Gambonini plans to attend California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo to major in dairy science. She hopes to have a career in the dairy industry.

“If selected as District 3 Dairy Princess, I hope to spread my knowledge and advocate for the dairy industry,” she said. “Through my years of experience on the family dairy and within the dairy community, I have learned a vast array of things about the dairy industry. As Dairy Princess, it would be my goal to teach the public and promote the dairy and agriculture industries in a positive and healthy way.”

Hailee Hankins

Penngrove resident Hailee Hankins, 17, feels her greatest accomplishment is being selected as the 2014-2015 Tomales FFA president.

“Growing up, being involved in 4-H, I always looked up to the FFA members,” she said. “I hope I am being a role model for 4-H members today.”

The daughter of Sherri Evenich and John Hankins, Hailee Hankins is a senior at Tomales High School who hopes to attend Oklahoma State University in the fall. She plans to major in agriculture education with a goal of one day becoming an FFA advisor.

Hankins, who works on the McIsaac Dairy as an organic farm record keeper, has a long list of accomplishments, which include serving as the 2012-2013 Tomales FFA secretary; and volunteering at the Bodega Bay Fishermans Festival, the Bodega Bay Grange Hall and the Sonoma County Farm Bureau’s Crab Feed.

She was named the 2011-2012 Outstanding Agriculture Science Student and was the 2014 Tomales Varsity Cheer Captain.

If chosen as Dairy Princess, Hankins wants to inspire younger kids to become involved in the dairy industry by joining FFA and 4-H.

“I would also educate young and old about the issues facing the dairy industry, stressing the importance of the dairy industry to the state of California and become a voice for all dairy farmers,” she said.

Connie Jones

Santa Rosa resident Connie Jones, 18, has also had visions of becoming a Dairy Princess since she was 3 years old.

“I entered the Dairy Princess program because ever since I was a little girl, I watched year after year beautiful girls in white dresses, advocating for their passion,” said Jones. “I was so mesmerized that these young ladies share the same passion as me. I have waited for my turn on that stage. I only hope that I can be at least half the role model all those young ladies have been to me.”

The daughter of Kim and Jeff Jones, Connie Jones is a senior at Petaluma High School and works at Sonoma Marin Veterinary Service and Jones Dairy.

Jones has been an officer in the Petaluma FFA for two years and has served on multiple committees. She’s judged for their dairy judging team and was also a part of the Bennett Valley 4-H, where she served in office for eight years. Jones is currently participating in the Sonoma Valley 4-H, where she judges on their dairy judging team.

“I think my greatest accomplishment is teaching young kids where their milk comes from through my community service project of visiting elementary classrooms and winning the Saralee McClelland Kunde Memorial Award. I hold both of these accomplishments very close to my heart.”

In the fall, Jones will be attending Oklahoma State University to major in animal science. Her career goal is to work in the dairy industry.

Alyssa McClure

Petaluma High School senior Alyssa McClure, 18, grew up helping her dad on the dairy and raising her own animals.

“Dairy life has given me a sense of responsibility,” said McClure. “I really enjoy working with children, and being Dairy Princess would allow me to have an influence on our future generation. I would be able to educate them about the benefits of the diary industry and dairy products. I think it’s important that people know about all of the great things that come from the dairy industry and its products.”

McClure is the daughter of Bob and Ruth McClure of Inverness. She has participated in Petaluma FFA for four years and has served as director of 4-H Camp, director of activities at 4-H Camp and girls camp director at the 4-H Camp. She plays Varsity volleyball at PHS and has won the title of Most Valuable Player for two years.

“My biggest accomplishment is being a good role model for junior high aged kids,” she said. “I coach volleyball and I am on upper staff at Marin County 4-H Camp. Both jobs allow me to interact with younger children. Coaching has allowed me to watch young girls grow and mature as people and athletes. Being on upper staff at 4-H Camp has enabled me to help others make new friends and make them comfortable in new surroundings away from home.”

The Dairy Princess Contest and Ball begins at 7 p.m. with a coronation program, followed by a buffet dinner served by Jimmy’s Catering Company. There will be dancing from 8:30 to 11 p.m. Tickets are $30 adults, $15 children under 12. Tickets are available at John’s Dairy Supply and Jay Palms. No tickets will be sold at the door.

UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy:
  • This is a family newspaper, please use a kind and respectful tone.
  • No profanity, hate speech or personal attacks. No off-topic remarks.
  • No disinformation about current events.
  • We will remove any comments — or commenters — that do not follow this commenting policy.