Leah Walters

2023 Fair Queen

A current Junior at Oley Valley High School, Leah Walters lives on a small farm in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania and raises a registered boer goat herd. Leah is a tuition student at the Oley Valley High School for the FFA and agricultural program; she is active in many of the public speaking competitions, becoming the first person from the Oley Valley FFA chapter to have won the Pennsylvania FFA Creed Speaking Leadership Development Event. Leah is also very involved in the Berks County 4-H Livestock Club and served as a past president. Every year, she looks forward to showing her breeding goats at sanctioned shows and raising market projects through the 4-H and showing them at the county fairs. Leah hopes to pursue a career in the agricultural field in either agricultural education, agricultural marketing, or environmental resource management. In the future, Leah aspires to continue to advocate for agriculture, while learning new things along the way. 

INTERESTED IN BEING THE NEXT FAIR QUEEN? HERE’S HOW!

The purpose of The Berks County Fair Queen is to promote the Fair, including its history and community impact, while educating the public about the local agricultural industry and strengthening the relationships among youth and adults in both rural and urban settings. Each Fair Queen shall follow the rules adopted by the Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs.  Contestant DOES NOT have to be a 4-H or FFA member to compete. 

Rules and Regulations:
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Each contestant must:

1. Be a female who is a U.S. Citizen, a resident of Pennsylvania and living in Berks County.
2. Be at least 16 years of age and not over 20 years old by June 1 of the current year.
3. Have never served as local or state fair queen.
4. Have her parents’ or guardians’ consent.
5. Be single, never married, have had no children & remain so during her reign.
6. Not hold any other State or Local title for any other commodity group or pageant during her reign.
7. Be available/in attendance the entire week of The Berks County Fair.
8. Be available to attend the State competition in Hershey, PA in January.
9. Agree to promote The Berks County Fair in a positive manner throughout her reign.
10. Be available for fair-sanctioned activities throughout her reign including publicity via TV, Newspaper, radio & public appearances.
11. Agree to abide by the Fair Queen Dress Code & Behavior Policy.
12. Provide two (2) wallet-sized colored photos (can be the same) to be used for publicity purposes.  High School or college photos can be used.  Photos become the property of The Berks County Fair.  Include Photographers release if photos were taken professionally and copyrighted.
13. Write an essay on “WHAT THE BERKS COUNTY FAIR MEANS TO MY COMMUNITY.” Essay must be 300 words or less, typewritten and must accompany the application.
14. Give a 3-5 minute speech to the judges on “WHY YOU SHOULD COME TO THE BERKS COUNTY FAIR.”​
15. Complete details can be found in the Fair Queen application packet.  Further information may be obtained by emailing Taylor Pool at fairqueen@theberkscountyfair.com.

Contestants will be judged on the following basis:

• Essay 15
• Personal Interview 30
• Introduction 10
• Speech Presentation 30
• Impromptu Question 15    

TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS 100