North Bay Dairy Women: 2011 District #3 Dairy Princess Contest & Ball

North Bay Dairy Women & California Milk Advisory Board

Sponsored the 54th Annual Dist. #3 Dairy Princess Ball on

April 9, 2011 at Petaluma Veteran's Memorial.

MOONLIGHT & DIAMONDS

Contestants: Maria Camozzi, Carly Miller

Amanda Moretti & Samantha Spaletta

A crowd of over 550 attended the crowning event followed by dinner & dancing.

North Bay Dairy Women & their helpers begin preparations in January each year and work hard to make the event beautiful and popular. The local dairymen, dairy related businesses and community supporters help make this one of the states leading Dairy Princess Contests.

Set-Up Preparations

Friday, April 9th the Dairy Women & Committee helpers meet at the hall to begin set-up, decorating and organizing for the Saturday night Ball.

Some of the workers: Shirley Bianchi, Kitty Meadows, Joyce Leveroni, Event Chair Judy Buttke, Chris Camozzi, NBDW President Audrey Wheeler and Annette Grossi. Joyce does a great job planning and supervising the stage and table decorations. It is a big job and takes many hands to pull together.

Wrapping silverware for the dinner: Audrey, Rachael Cheda, Arlene McClure, Lorrie Kidder (partially hidden), Kitty Meadows and Shirley Bianchi.

We are lucky to always have our favorite Clover-Stornetta rep. Mike Griffin on hand to help with the heavy jobs and the last minute shopping runs. Here he is with Sue McIsaac and Kitty peaking from the curtains.

We owe a huge thank you to each and every person who came to the hall to get everything in order for the contest & dinner. Every single bit of help is appreciated. Apologies to those not pictured or mentioned, we THANK YOU for your help.

Rehearsal

On Friday afternoon, the contestants & escorts arrive to rehearse. Here they are: Maria, Carly, 2010-11 Dairy Princess Emilie Strand, Amanda & Samantha.

Early Saturday morning the contestants arrive to be interviewed individually by the judges, practice on stage, have lunch with the judges, practice some more.....and that all before the evening festivites begin! A full, fun filled day. Above on stage are Amanda, Samantha, Maria & Carly. Love this photo!!

Lunch with the Judges

Jimmy Maestretti Catering prepares our evening meal, along with the lunch for the contestants, judges, NBDW President and Event Chair.

Above far left is Judge James Garner who is the Communications Director of Dairy Cares and

Second from right is Judge Kevin Blount who is a Dairyman from Crows Landing.

Samantha, Amanda & Maria shown with the judges.

Judge Dr. Marit Arana, Ph.D. from A.L. Gilbert Company is on the far right.

With her are Carly and Dairy Princess Emilie.

The lunch is served by the Milk Maids, girls who we hope will be contestants in the near future.

2011 Milk Maids: Ashley Tresch, Michelle McClure, Cassie Redding,

Jenna Bergstedt and Danielle Dolcini.

These five girls did a great job serving lunch, helping with other little activities during the day and helping out at the buffet serving line in the evening.

Thank you all and hope to see you as a Dairy Princess contestant next year!

Cheese Social

Before the doors open to the public, the committee hosts a Cheese Social for the Contestants, Escorts, Judges, CMAB Reps, and Contestant Sponsors. The Milk Maids are also on hand helping out.

2010-11 Dairy Princess Emilie Strand welcomes the contestants, escorts and her Alternates.

Pictured above left to right: Dairy Princess Emilie, Jordan Grove, 2010 1st Alt. Regina Camozzi, Spencer Neve, 2010 2nd Alt. Stephanie Rowley, Carly & her escort Dominic Balistreri, Amanda & her escort Anthony Bordessa, Maria & her escort Clark Moretti, and Samantha & her escort Danny Moretti.

The Outgoing Court with Spencer sample the cheese which included:

Nicasio Valley Cheese, Pt. Reyes Farmstead Cheese, Valley Ford Cheese Co. Cheese and Petaluma Creamery Cheese. It was delecious and much enjoyed.

Contestant Maria chats with 1996-97 Dairy Princess Annie McIsaac at the Cheese Social.

Contestants Amanda & Maria wiith Kris Costa from California Milk Advisory Board

and Judge Dr. Marit Arana.

During the Cheese Social, California Milk Advisory Board Representative Domenic Carinalli presents each Contestant with a special gift.

Dominic also presented Chair Judy Buttke with a very small token of appreciation for the job she does.

This contest continues and thrives because of the countless hours of time and work that Judy puts into it.

Thank you Judy from your entire Committee & the North Bay Dairy Women!

Time for the Contest!

Contestant #1 Miss Carly Miller

with her Escort Dominic Balistreti

Carly's Sponsor was Sevall, Thwaites & Soper Insurance

Contestant #2 Miss Amanda Moretti

with Master of Ceremonies Rich Silacci

Amanda's Sponsors were Matthew & Lauren Evangelo

Contestant #3 Miss Maria Camozzi

also with Rich

Maria's Sponsor was Wallaby Yogurt Company

Contestant #4 Miss Samantha Spaletta

and Rich.

Samantha's Sponsor was Gerald Spaletta Dairy

CMAB Rep Domenic Carnalli & NBDW President Audrey Wheeler

representing the co-sponsors

California Milk Advisory Board & North Bay Dairy Women

Chair Judy thanks the sponsors, committee and dairy supporters of the community.

Outgoing Dairy Princess gave an enjoyable farewell speech, thanked everyone who helped her and mentioned the doors that have opened to her following her selection as Dist. #3 Dairy Princess.

And yes, that is a cow-spotted cast on her hand, she badly broke her little finger working with cattle!

Adorable Contestant

Carly Miller!

Beautiful Contestant

Amanda Moretti!

Delightful Contestant

Maria Camozzi!

Radiant Contestant

Samantha Spaletta!

North Bay Dairy Women President Audrey is back on stage to present the

Florence Gilardoni Memorial Scholarship.

The $500 Award goes to a contestant who is continuing her education in a agriculture field.

2011 Florence Gilardoni Memeorial Scholarship Winner Amanda Moretti!

Audrey also announced the winner of the

Bernice Hadermann Memorial Scholarship (named for her mother).

Though he was unable to attend, Mr. Joe Stefanoni was awarded this scholarship.

Joe is currently a student at Santa Rosa Jr. College and will be continuing his

education in an agriculture field also. Congratulations Joe Stefanoni!

The Isolena Maestretti "Miss Vitality" Award Winner

Miss Maria Camozzi!

The Miss Vitality Award is voted on by the contestants themselves.

They vote to select the girl who has been the most fun & energetic during all their prepartions.

Four beautiful girls await the judges return...

and wait....

And here is where MC Rich Silacci said

"This is why I earn the big bucks!"

The judges were in overtime deliberations and the time had to be filled.

Rich talked with the contestants some more, stalled, joked and invited Contest Coordinators

Andrea Krout and Dayna Ghirardelli on stage.

Andrea was 2003-04 Dairy Princess and Dayna was 1991-92 Dairy Princess.

Andrea & Dayna talked about the preparations and work that the girls put in to be ready for their individual and group interviews with the judges. Andrea & Dayna have done an outstanding job again this year helping the girls with their speaking and confidence, to be ready to speak to the judges and to 550 in the audience.

Nice work ladies.

The Judges return and the envelopes delivered.......