Bill Ryan/The Gazette South Central Dairy Princess, Julia Doody, 16, of Damascus, was crowned Maryland Dairy Princess during a ceremony on Wednesday.

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Julia Doody, of Damascus, tried to prepare herself for the possibility that she wouldn’t be crowned this year’s Maryland Dairy Princess as she stood on the pageant stage Wednesday in Frederick.

When the incoming junior at Damascus High School did hear her name called, she says the experience was indescribable.

“It was kind of unbelievable [when it happened],” Julia said of winning the state crown. “I was just really proud and really happy that I was chosen.”

Julia was crowned South Central Dairy Princess before earning the state title.

Julia said she was the youngest of the three contestants to compete in the two-day contest that ended with the Wednesday pageant. In addition to the state title, she was also awarded prizes for the best skit and radio spot.

Runners up Elizabeth Galbreath of Street and Shelby Lynnette Hahn of Sabillasville were named state princess alternates.

Along with participating in interviews with contest judges, recording a radio spot and performing a creative presentation, contestants also answered a question on stage about the dairy industry.

Julia was asked what she would tell a presidential nominee about the dairy industry.

“I would like to just convey how necessary the dairy industry is to the country, for producing our food and dairy products every day. And also that the candidate understands my respect and my love for the dairy industry and how hard farmers work,” Julia said of her response.

Dairy princesses from across the Mid-Atlantic region visit schools and grocery stores and appear at community events and civic meetings to talk about milk and dairy products and the dairy industry. Julia, who is part of the third generation to live on her family’s farm, Wyndo Farm in Damascus, is a great representative for the state, said Laurie Savage, state coordinator for the Maryland Dairy Princess program.

“She’s very knowledgeable about the dairy industry,” she said.

Along with being the secretary of the Montgomery County Holstein Club, Julia also is a member of her school's Future Farmers of America chapter, orchestra, and lacrosse and soccer teams. She also was named master dairy showman of the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair last year.

“I’m really looking forward to teaching people about [the dairy industry]. I hope to reach many different people,” Julia said. “It’s definitely going to be a busy year.”

Julia will make her first appearance as the state’s new dairy princess at this year’s Jersey Field Day in Frederick scheduled for Saturday, where she will pass out ribbons to contest winners.

“She’s trading her heels for boots and she’s going right back at it,” Savage said. “[The pageant] doesn’t stop on the stage, [princesses] get right to work.

myoung@gazette.net