Seymour High School freshman Karrington Koester, 15, of Dudleytown recently was crowned the 2015 Jackson County Fair pork princess.

She is the daughter of Michelle Koester and the late Tom Koester. The title of pork princess comes with a sash and a tiara and also the responsibility of handing out ribbons at the open swine show and making appearances at various Jackson County Pork Producer events during the year.

She has been showing pigs for the past six years for 4-H, including Mini 4-H. In her first year, when she was in third grade, she exhibited the grand champion barrow.

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At Tuesday’s 4-H swine show, Karrington received reserve grand champion for her Berkshire gilt, Lucy, and third place in her class for her crossbred barrow, Ringo.

Her older sister, Kourtland, is a former pork princess, and her little sister, Kensley, has the same goal.

Karrington is proudly wearing her crown this week in honor of the swine and pork producers in the county and also for her father, who passed away in September 2012 of colorectal cancer.

“Karrington is an excellent role model for everyone and always has the desire to help others and learn from others,” Michelle Koester said.

“She is an excellent mentor to her younger sister, and this was the first year the Koester girls competed in Springfield, Illinois, for Team Purebred with their show pigs. It was a wonderful learning experience for them.”

Koester spoke with The Tribune about her experience as a 4-H member and as pork princess:

What do you like about showing pigs?

I am carrying on a family tradition from my dad’s side of the family, and also many of our neighbors in Dudleytown have competed for many generations.

How did you get started showing pigs?

My older sister started showing pigs first, and my dad wanted all of his girls to show pigs, as he did when he was a kid. Now, my mom is making sure we are carrying out the tradition.

What is the most challenging aspect of showing pigs?

I would say the most challenging aspect of showing pigs would be trying to have the grand champion pig but also getting your pig to walk perfectly with its head up.

Why did you want to be the pork princess?

To represent not only the swine industry but also the local pork producers, which I think is very neat. I want to be a role model to other girls who want to reach this goal.

What did you have to do to earn this title?

I had to take a written exam and answer questions in an interview setting.

What responsibilities do you have as the pork princess?

Volunteer hours working at the pork producers stand and helping out in the show arena.

Why is being the pork princess such an honor?

I enjoy working with swine and getting to be a 4-H role model.

Do you do any non-animal 4-H projects for the fair?

I didn’t do any other projects this year. I decided to focus on my pigs.

What is your favorite activity at the fair? Why?

My favorite activity is the pig show. I get to see all of my time, effort and dedication pay off.

What is your favorite food at the fair?

I enjoy eating at all of the food booths at the fair, from breakfast to snacks. There is nothing I don’t enjoy.

Why do you think the Jackson County Fair is the best county fair in the state?

The Jackson County Fair is well known. Many people travel from many different counties to come to the fair, which doesn’t happen at all of the other fairs. I personally think our county fair is definitely the best one.

Why would you recommend kids get involved with showing animals? What has it taught you?

It has taught me that responsibility is key because you are the animal’s lifeline for how they’re going to grow, from the feed you select to the time you put in by walking and bonding with your animals.

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Name: Karrington MacKenley Koester

Title: 2015 Jackson County Fair Pork Princess

Age: 15

Residence: Dudleytown

Grade: Freshman at Seymour High School

4-H group: Farmington Champions

Family: Parents, Michelle Koester and the late Tom Koester; sisters, Kourtland and Kensley

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