State Angus queen stays busy

Livestock shows at the Jay County Fair typically have the Jay County Fair Queen on hand to pass out awards.

Sunday’s beef and beef feeder show had the benefit of some additional royalty.

Indiana Angus Association Queen Skye Wimmer was in attendance Sunday afternoon to not only help Jay County Fair Queen Julia McClung and her court pass out awards but to assist in the Show Arena as well.

It’s a familiar place for Wimmer, a Portland resident who just last year was completing her own Jay County 4-H career by winning the large animal supreme showmanship competition.

Having a familiar face like Wimmer’s at the fair representing her breed association will hopefully serve as an inspiration to current 4-H members, showing them what is possible beyond their high school years, said Jay County 4-H beef superintendent Nancy Snyder.

“She’s very dedicated,” Snyder added. “To be in that position and representing her breed at that level shows her dedication to livestock.

“Getting any 10-year member, young 4-Her even, involved in your breed associations is a big benefit to them. It just exposes them to so much opportunity.

“It’s just a very educational opportunity for them.”

Wimmer was crowned Indiana Angus Association Queen in December.

In that role, she works to promote the breed, including on social media, in an effort to increase involvement. Her duties also include representing the organization at events, though because of the coronavirus pandemic her appearances have been limited so far to the IAA state show, several auctions and the Jay County Fair this week.

Being at her home fairgrounds had her feeling nostalgic.

“I wish I could go back already and it’s only been a year,” said Wimmer, who showed pigs, goats and sheep in addition to cows during her final year of 4-H in 2019.

Wimmer’s participation reaches beyond the role of queen, as she also leads the Indiana Angus Association’s junior officer team as president. And she’s running for a spot on the National Junior Angus Association Board of Directors.

If she’s elected as a “greencoat” she would travel even more, attending most national angus shows and every NJAA leadership event and camp.

“It’s a big responsibility,” said Wimmer.

The Purdue University sophomore who is majoring in ag business with a minor in animal science hopes someday to work for the American Angus Association, which is based in Missouri. She’d also like to be a director with the Indiana Angus Association.

Even without her crown, Wimmer would have spent this week at the fairgrounds, where she’s competed each year for the last decade with the exception of 2018 when her trip to junior nationals clashed with the local fair schedule. She also wanted to be there to support her second cousin, Kadilynn Stout, who was competing Sunday and is also an Indiana Angus Association junior princess.

Wimmer wasn’t done after the beef and beef feeder show, either. She was back at the fairgrounds Monday to help out with the swine show, planned to return today to offer her assistance with the goat shows and expected to be there Wednesday for the sheep show as well. Unlike Sunday afternoon, she wasn’t necessarily scheduled to be involved in those shows, she’s simply ready and willing to step in wherever she’s needed.

That’s something she plans to continue to do long after she gives up her crown.

“I always want to stay involved in this as much as I can and give back,” said Wimmer. “This whole industry pretty much is what shaped me into who I am.”