-Photo courtesy of Iowa State Fair Caine Westergard, of Plymouth County, reacts Saturday after being named the 2009 Iowa State Fair queen.

DES MOINES – Caine Westergard, 17, of Plymouth County, was crowned the 2009 Iowa State Fair queen on Saturday, and since then has found that the title makes the winner a very busy person at the fair.

The daughter of Carl and Colleen Westergard, of Ireton, the new queen was chosen from among 103 contestants who participated in this year’s competition. All had been crowned queen of their respective county fairs.

“I’ve been around the state fair before and have seen the fair queens,” Westergard said, Wednesday, four days after her win. “But I didn’t realize she was thisbusy.” Westergard explained that on Tuesday alone, there was a stead schedule moving from show to show and through diffeent buildings, handing out awards and meeting people.

“The only time we sat down was in the golf cart going to the next thing,” she said.

Westergard will be a senior at Akron-Westfield High School in Akron. After her senior year, she plans to attend Iowa State University and double major in fashion design and international communications.

Caine Westergard, of Plymouth County, receives the 2009 Iowa State Fair Queen crown from Ashley Quade the 2008 Iowa State Fair Queen at the Iowa State Fair Saturday.

Shelby Sieren, 18, of Keota County, was named first runner-up. She is the daughter of Scott and Renee Sieren, of Keota. Second runner-up was Demi Dunn, of Cherokee County, the daughter of Deb and Doug Dunn, of Cherokee. Kelsey Salton, 17, of Clay County, was named third runner-up. She is the daughter of Russ and Sue Salton, of Ayrshire.

Meghan Cain, of Madison County, earned both Outstanding Leadership and Personality Plus Awards. She is the daughter of Paul and Kelly Cain, of Van Meter.

Westergard said that when her name was called as the fair queen, “I didn’t actually hear it because the girl next to me was screaming so loud. She actually pushed me forward. My whole family was there. It was just crazy.

“I can’t believe that 4-H has brought me this far.”

She said the award is part of her life journey in 4-H that started when she was in fourth-grade. Westergard said that to compete in the Plymouth County Fair queen contest, one must be a member of 4-H or FFA and be familiar with the county fair.

In her fiorst four days with the title, she has “taken lots of pictures with little girls who want to know how one becomes the state fair queen. and they like to touch the crown. One girl wanted to count the bobby pins it takes to hold it in place.” It takes 20, she said.

Westergard said she also encourages other girls to get involved with 4-H. “You can do so many cool things in 4-H,” she said. “And I wouldn’t be here today, without 4-H.”

She said she already knows that next her summer will be full with many county fairs to attend and invitations to numerous community parades and events.

Westergard, who will reign for the next year, receives a $2,500 scholarship and $300 U.S. Savings Bond from the Iowa State Fair in addition to her crown, sash and trophy. The first runner-up earns a $1,000 scholarship and $300 U.S. Savings Bond; the second runner-up wins $500 in scholarship money and a $200 U.S. Savings Bond; and the third runner-up receives a $300 scholarship and $100 U.S. Savings Bond.

The Outstanding Leadership recipient wins a $500 Scholarship and a $300 U.S. Savings Bond. The Personality Plus winner receives a $100 U.S. Savings Bond.

Judging is based on personality, attitude, awareness, leadership, citizenship, contribution to community, overall appearance, charm and poise.