Twelve local youth have been named members of the 2023 Montgomery County Agricultural Fair’s Royal Court. They were selected based on; leadership, involvement in the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair (MCAF), 4-H and their communities and public speaking ability. The 2022 Fair King and Queen, continue their reign until this year’s Coronation on Sunday, August 13, 2023 at 6 p.m. Coronation follows the annual Fair parade which begins at 5 p.m. at the Fairgrounds.
Gabriella Bentley is eighteen years old and has just graduated Williamsport High School this past year. She has been in 4-H for twelve years now starting as a clover at the age of six. She has entered a variety of projects in the county fair including baking, sewing, photography, woodwork and arts and crafts as well. Along with these entries she also entered both market lambs and market swine. This year she has two crossbred Suffolk market lambs . As well as four market swine, two purebreds and two crossbred. The Montgomery County Agricultural fair has been a big part of my life for as long as I can remember. When visiting the fair there are a variety of things that people from all age ranges can participate in. The fair along with 4-H has allowed me to make new relationships, learn new lessons and has given me so many opportunities. I have gained so many mentors along the way that I will never forget. This fall I plan to continue my education to hopefully soon take the skills acquired from 4-H to become a registered Veterinary Technician. Hope to see you at the fair!
Andres Guerra is 17 years old and a rising Senior at John F. Kennedy HS where he is a member of the Regional IB Cohort and the Leadership Training Institute. This is his sixth year in 4-H, belonging to the Lucky Clovers. During those years, he became vice president for two years and president for another two. As a member of the Maryland State Council, Andres has been a part of important 4-H Leadership events such as National 4-H Conference and Camp Miniwanca National Leadership Conference. Over the last few years, Andres has led the local 4-H Stem Challenges for 2019-2021 and the Ag Innovators 2021’s Curbing Our Carbon Appetite Program.
This is Andres’ fourth year on the Montgomery County Royal Court. Through the Fair Court, Andres has gotten the opportunity to experience the Fair from a deeper level. He’s been able to get to know every part of the fair, from Old MacDonald’s Barn to the Old Timer’s Building. He’s worked in the Cheese booth, the Arts and Crafts building, the Information booth, the Rabbit Barn, and the 4-H Building. That’s where, for years he has entered many works of photography, acrylic painting, and other art at the Fair. Andres is so excited to see you at this year’s Fair.
Jayson Lee is 15 years old and a rising sophomore at Poolesville High School. This year is his first year on the fair royal court, and his 6th year in 4-H. Jayson is currently the president of the Clarksburg Helping Hands Club and the Secretary of Maryland’s 4-H State Council. He was also a Maryland delegate at 4-H’s National Conference and Congress in 2022. Outside of 4-H, Jayson enjoys volleyball, clarinet, and stem projects, as well as helping out the community through service. He has done over 1000 hours of service, and is currently working on his diamond clover 6 project to help out local hospitals. Jayson is very grateful for all of his experiences in 4-H and is looking forward to helping out as part of the fair royalty!
Lily Luther is 16 years old and a sophomore at Damascus High School. Lily has been involved with the fair since clovers helping her family farm show livestock. This will be Lily’s second year on the fair royal court and she is thrilled to serve as a fair advocate for another year! Lily is the president of the Montgomery County Beef Club, president of the Damascus Livestock Youth Club, reporter for the Damascus FFA chapter, and a member of the National Junior Angus Association. Through 4-H and other agricultural programs, Lily has been able to to travel across the country and meet other passionate farmers within the cattle industry. She is also a part of the Montgomery County Livestock Judging Team and a part of the Damascus Poms. In addition, she enjoys baking, sewing, and getting her cattle ready for fair week. Lily has used her experience through 4-H to work her angus herd at home and learn more about judging, showing, and animal nutrition to better raise her cattle. She hopes to pursue an education in agriculture and possibly start a herd of her own in the future. 4-H has introduced Lily to lifelong friends, great memories, and priceless knowledge. Lily is ecstatic to be given the opportunity to serve a second year on the Montgomery County Royal Court.
Hello! My name is Clayton Martone. I am 15 years old and will be a sophomore at James Hubert Blake high school this coming fall. I have been a member of 4-H for 9 years and have been in the Livestock Clovers, Poultry, Sheep and Swine, and Rabbit clubs. I am currently serving as the secretary of the Sheep and Swine club and have previously been the secretary of the Rabbit club and Poultry club and historian for both the Poultry and Rabbit clubs. I have really enjoyed entering all sorts of projects at the fair, including market animals, citizenship exhibits, food preservation items, educational exhibits, and many more. I enjoy taking care of my sheep, rabbits, and turkeys, and especially enjoy working in the barns at the Fair. I am also the Mid-Atlantic Rabbit and Cavy Shows king. Outside of agriculture, I enjoy rock climbing, playing games, and spending time with my siblings. I am extremely excited to be able to serve on Royal Court and make the Montgomery County Fair a better and more educational experience for all kinds of wonderful people.
Logan Monarch is 15 years old and entering his sophomore year at Damascus High School. He started showing Dairy Goats as a 4-H Clover when he was 6 years old.
He has continued to participate in the 4-H Dairy Goat Club and has held several leadership positions over the years. He is currently serving as the club Treasurer.
Logan is also actively involved with the Damascus Boy Scout Troop. He is moving up the ranks and is currently the troops Assistant Patrol Leader.
This is Logan’s first year as a member of the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair Royal Court and is the fourth generation to volunteer with the Agricultural Center. His goal as a member of the Court is to encourage the youth to get more involved in the agricultural fair to ensure that the long-standing traditions can continue.
After serving on the Royal Court, he would like to be able to participate on the Jr. Board where he would get a better understanding of how other departments operate, their individual needs, and how he could support them in the future.
Between SSL and Fair hours, Logan has accumulated close to 400 hours. He has helped put up signs throughout the fairgrounds, assisted with fencing in the parking lots and assisted in the set up and daily operation of the KidZone throughout the week.
During the fair Logan enjoys showing his goats, helping in the KidZone and reconnecting with his fair family. He hopes to be a contributing member of the Royal Court and looks forward to a new Fair experience this year.
Cody Mullinix is 17 and just finished up his Junior year at Damascus High School. This is his third year on the royal court. Cody has been in 4-H for 12 years and started as a clover in the poultry club. Cody has done a variety of projects that include livestock, woodworking, horticulture, handicrafts, baking, sewing and photography. Cody and his family live on a farm in Damascus where they raise angus cattle and poultry. Cody is a 4th generation volunteer of the Fair and is eagerly working towards becoming a life member. Cody is looking forward to serving as an ambassador for the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair. Through all of his experiences in 4H he has met amazing people, has learned many skills and has made great memories.
Gracie Ray is 17 years old and a rising senior at South Carroll High School. She has been attending the fair her entire life and this is her second year on the fair’s Royal Court. She started 4-H in clovers and then joined the Meat Goat Club when she was 10. In addition to showing Boer goats, Gracie also enters a variety of things in the 4-H Building. She even had grand champion Senior cake last year. Gracie is currently the president of the Meat Goat Club, president of her school’s FFA Chapter, president of her school’s theater program, and secretary of her school’s International Thespian Society troupe. She is also a member of National Honors Society and numerous theater and chorus groups. Gracie is currently working as a kennel technician at Sunchaser Kennels and as a summer camp counselor at Spotlight Musical Theatre. Gracie is very thankful for all the experiences and skills 4-H has given her, including singing the National Anthem for the past 2 years at the fair and becoming a better leader and public speaker.
Hi, my name is Abby Worth. I’m 16 years old and homeschooled. I have been in 4-H for 10 years, and this is my first year on Royal Court. I have been a fair-goer, volunteer, and exhibitor at the fair since I could walk, and enjoy working at the 4-H building, the Big Cheese, and the Pre-fair work days every year. I am currently the Vice-president of the Maryland 4-H State Council, the Vice-President and Historian of the Flying Tigers 4-H Aerospace Club, a member of the Damascus Community 4-H Club and a delegate to the 2022 National 4-H Congress. Outside of the fair and 4-H, I enjoy practicing and teaching Kendo, doing Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and yoga, playing the drums and ukulele, doing arts and crafts, and baking Gluten-free delights as well as cooking. 4-H has given me confidence, leadership experience, life-long friends and memories that I will pass down to the leaders of tomorrow as well as cherish for the rest of my life. I can’t wait to make new and amazing connections on the Royal Court and at the Fair this year!
Liam Reed is 17 years old and is a rising Senior at Gonzaga High School. This is his 12th year in 4-H and second year on the Royal Court. He has been coming to the fair his entire life and first joined the 4-H poultry club as a clover when he was 5 years old. Liam then joined the Meat Goat Club when he was 9. He is currently the vice president of the Meat Goat club and has shown Myotonic (Fainting) goats and market Boer goats, as well as an assortment of chickens, ducks, and turkeys. He has also exhibited cakes, photography, and vegetables in the 4-H building and antiques in the Old Timer’s building. During the school year, Liam participates in Theater and is a member of the Model UN club. He is also a past member of the 4-H State Council and is going to be a “Kingdom Leader” at the 4-H camp this summer in western Maryland. Liam lives on a small farm in North Potomac. He can’t wait for an amazing second year on the royal court and is excited to teach people all he’s learned about the fair and his animals.
Abby Zimmerman has been involved with the fair since Clovers and is thrilled to serve on the royal court for the first time this year! Abby has been a member of the 4-H Sheep and Swine Club for the past 7 years and is the current Vice President of Sheep. Since she joined the club Abby has raised market lambs to be shown and later sold at the annual 4-H Livestock Auction. After a few years of just raising market lambs Abby decided to try her hand at breeding wool sheep, which quickly turned into her owning a small flock of Blue Faced Leicester sheep. Abby’s favorite part of being involved in the Sheep and Swine club is having the opportunity to help others learn more about their own projects. This year Abby will also be representing the state of Maryland in the National Livestock Skillathon competition. Abby is an active member of the Tuscarora FFA chapter where she is the current reporter and a member of her chapter’s livestock judging team. Outside of her livestock projects Abby exhibits cakes in the 4-H building that are often sold in the 4-H cake auction. She has also made several garments exhibited in the 4-H building that later compete in the fair’s shepherd’s lead contest. Abby is so excited to be on the royal court this year and serve as a positive advocate for the future of agriculture.
Rachel Zimmerman is 17 years old and a rising senior at Tuscarora High School. This is her first year serving on the fair Royal Court and she is so excited to get the opportunity to advocate for the fair after being involved since she was 8 years old. Rachel has been involved with the 4-H Sheep and Swine Club since she was 9 years old and is currently President of the club. She joined the club to raise and show market lambs, and to gain experience with livestock animals. After a few years of showing market lambs Rachel decided to try breeding wool sheep as well. This project quickly turned into a small flock of Bluefaced Leicester sheep. Rachel also decided to add in a small Hampshire breeding project just this year. Over the years she has learned so much about breeding her own lambs and is always excited to learn more. This year Rachel was appointed as the 2023 Sheep and Wool Ambassador for the Maryland Sheep Breeders Association. Through the 4-H program and the sheep showing community, Rachel has learned much about animal health and nutrition, along with showing and judging all kinds of sheep and livestock. In 2022 Rachel was a member of the MD State Livestock Judging Team. Rachel has also entered sewing, canning, gardening, and horticulture projects in the 4-H building every year. She has also baked cakes and participated in the cake auction selling cakes to help support the 4-H program. In school Rachel has been a part of the Titan Tempo Show Choir for the past 3 years. For this coming school year she was given the role as Student Director and Dance Captain which she is excited to gain more leadership skills through this experience. Rachel plans to get an education in animal science and to continue learning about livestock animals and the agricultural industry. Rachel is thrilled to have the opportunity to serve on the Montgomery County Fair Royal Court and hopes to gain new experiences, meet new people, and learn even more about the fair.
