South Union Township woman crowned Pennsylvania Fair Queen
Kristi Rooker sits in the living room of her South Union Township home, wearing the beautiful gold crown and white-and-purple sash that goes with her new title: Pennsylvania Fair Queen. The 20-year-old daughter of Keith and Linda Rooker is still amazed with winning the title from the Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs on Saturday, Jan. 22, at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center.
“I was very surprised,’ says Rooker. “It’s still overwhelming. I don’t know if it has sunk in. I’m sure it will fly by. It’s a great opportunity to promote agriculture, something I’ve grown up with.’
Rooker is also the first Fayette County fair queen to win the state title, an exciting moment that the modest young woman acknowledges by saying, “I’m positive I won’t be the last.’
Dressed in a soft green knit top and black pants, Rooker sits in an inviting room decorated with a country theme, including small sculptures of farm animals, as well as family photos. She is bright and personable and is great at making people feel comfortable and at ease.
A 2002 graduate of Laurel Highlands High School, Rooker is a junior at California University of Pennsylvania where she majors in graphic communications and technology.
“My ultimate goal,’ she says, “is to go into livestock publications – brochures, sales catalogs. It combines what I’m studying in school with agriculture, which I’ve lived with all my life. It’s the best of both worlds.’
Agriculture is a family tradition as is the Fayette County Fair. Rooker’s father is herd manager at Work Land and Cattle Co., while her mother, who works at H&R Block, is on the fair board and her grandfather, James Work, is a former board member. Rooker’s great-grandfather, G. Emerson Work, was a county commissioner when Fayette County purchased the land for the present location of the fair on Route 119 in Dunbar Township.
The entire family has also been involved in 4-H, including Rooker’s older brothers Kyle and Kevin, who are now football coaches at the College of Wooster in Ohio.
“They had a great season – 10 and 0,’ says Rooker proudly of her brothers. “They won their conference.’
Rooker’s first 4-H project was showing a polled Hereford heifer. Through the years, she was involved in beef, lamb and swine projects, as well as the Hutchinson Community Club where she did home economics. She earned titles that included reserve champion market steer and reserve champion showman.
Last summer, Rooker won the title of Fayette County Fair Queen, proud to serve the fair that has meant so much to her over the years.
“The fair has been a part of my life ever since I can remember. As queen, it’s an opportunity to represent the fair and give a little back of what I’ve gained over the years. It means a lot,’ she told the Herald-Standard shortly after her win.
Rooker spent the fair passing out ribbons and trophies at shows, introducing musical acts and leading the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance at the fair’s “Celebrating 50 Years Ceremony.’
Since then, she’s made some local appearances, including speaking at Dunbar Township Elementary School in the Connellsville Area School District and Robert W. Clark Elementary School, which she attended, in the Laurel Highlands School District. She’d love to visit more schools, persuading youths to become involved in 4-H and stressing the importance of agriculture in daily life.
“It’s something I believe in,’ states Rooker.
And then it was off to the state competition in January where Rooker competed against 52 other fair queens, the most contestants yet, for the 19th Pennsylvania Fair Queen Coronation.
“I was just so excited to represent Fayette County and everybody was so supportive of me,’ says Rooker, who was accompanied by her family, as well as members of the Fayette County fair board and fair queen committee.
The competition took place over three days, following basically the same rules as the local competition. It included an interview and an essay on why to visit the county fair.
“I met so many great girls out there and made good friends,’ Rooker says of the other contestants. “…The way I feel about my fair is the way they feel about their fairs.’
On Saturday, the top five contestants were selected. Each had to answer the same question on how to promote agri-tourism. Rooker, who had taken a course on travel and tourism, was well prepared. She explains how agri-tourism can involve using farms as bed and breakfasts, wineries and for festivals and family vacations. These alternatives to traditional farming can provide income and promote agriculture.
The 2004 Pennsylvania Fair Queen Krystal McCracken of Westmoreland County crowned Rooker and gave her a beautiful gold crown and scepter pin that Rooker wears pinned on her sash. The Fayette County contingent was thrilled.
“None of us were totally shocked that she won,’ said Bill Jackson, president of the Fayette County fair board, as news of Rooker’s win came out. “She’s a top-notch girl. Kristi represents us well and she’ll represent the state well.’
Mrs. Rooker said, “We’re very proud of her. I think it’s a good opportunity for her to travel around the state and meet a lot of people.’
Charlotte DeCarlo, chair of the Fayette County fair queen committee, noted the win is particularly meaningful to youths who have grown up in agriculture. “It’s a special honor and now Kristi is representing the entire state.’
Speaking of those who accompanied her on the trip, Rooker says, “They were so encouraging and supportive. Since I’ve been home, I’ve had phone calls everyday. They brought me home past the fairgrounds and it was on the marquee. I’ve known a lot of the fair board members through the years. They’ve been very supportive. They deserve a huge thank you.’
Rooker’s work as fair queen began Monday when she journeyed to Harrisburg to promote agriculture by talking with legislators in an event called The Cornucopia. She will make several other required appearances, including crowning the next state queen in 2006. In addition, Rooker is required to visit three fairs in each of Pennsylvania’s four zones in order to receive her $1,500 scholarship.
Fayette County is in zone three and a definite stop on her itinerary where Rooker will crown the next Fayette County Fair Queen. DeCarlo noted that since Rooker’s win, interest in the competition is already up.
But in order to attend other fairs, Rooker will probably have to miss a part of the Fayette County Fair.
“It’s the first time in a long time that I probably won’t be there all 10 days,’ she says. “The fair is something I always look forward to.’
But she’s also eager to visit other fairs, an activity her family always enjoys anyway. Rooker will just be seeing more of Pennsylvania’s fairs this year.
With a schedule that could become quite hectic during fair season, Rooker will do well to heed the advice that McCracken shared: “Have fun, relax and enjoy it.’
Rooker comments, “This year will fly by. It’s a once in a lifetime experience. I want to fill it up and do as much as possible.’
Fayette County has an opportunity to greet Kristi Rooker at a public reception held in her honor on Sunday, Feb. 20, from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Fiddler’s Building at the Fayette County Fairgrounds. Light refreshments will be served.