`It's a huge honor,' says county's farm queen

THE THIRD time is a charm for this year's Howard County Farm Queen winner, Jamie Bullock of Ellicott City.

"It's a huge honor, said Jamie, 18. "I'm just excited that I was chosen." She also ran for Farm Queen the two previous years.

Jamie's achievements are numerous. Her record-keeping skills led her to be selected to represent Maryland at the National 4-H Congress in Atlanta last fall. She has held elected offices in the West Friendship 4-H Livestock Club from 1996 through 1999, serving as recording secretary, vice president and president.

Jamie also served on the Extension Advisory Council for three years. And this is her third year as the Natural Resources chairwoman at the fair, where she co- ordinates entries, judging and displays of fair projects.

A 1999 graduate of Glenelg High School, Jamie is a sophomore at East Carolina University, where she is studying to become a high school math teacher. Jamie's 4-H projects have included breeding and raising sheep, dairy leasing, flowers, crafts, photography and junior leadership.

Jamie's parents, Susan and Freddie Bullock, have a 1-acre farm, but Jamie wanted to learn more about a larger farming operation. Through the dairy leasing program, she spent three years working with the Patricks of Maple Dell Farm. The program allowed her to learn about the care of calves, herd management, nutrition and showmanship.

Jamie also has been active in community service. Last fall, after her university was evacuated during flooding from Hurricane Floyd, she came home and coordinated a service project that linked Howard County with Pitt County, N.C. She contacted Howard County 4-H'ers and businesses for donations of supplies and equipment. Ultimately, she donated 10 boxes of supplies to the Pitt County Extension Office, and presented 12 Survivor Baskets at the county's Achievement Night in December. According to Jamie, "This was one of my proudest moments as a 4-H member."

Every year, the Women of the Howard County Farm Bureau choose a Howard County Farm Queen. They seek someone who will be a good spokeswoman for the farm bureau and the agricultural community. Jamie is excited about the possibilities. "As farm queen, I will be able to get more insight on the farming issues," she said.

Jamie is reigning over activities at the Howard County Fair, which ends Saturday, and will represent Howard County in the State Farm Queen Contest at the Maryland State Fair this month. She will be farm queen for one year, speaking to school groups and civic organizations, and representing the agricultural community at parades, fairs and other county events.

This year's first runner-up is Rebecca Sparenberg. Rebecca recently graduated from Mount de Sales Academy and will attend Centenary College, majoring in equine studies. For three years, Rebecca has participated in the National 4-H Roundup in Louisville, Ky. Also vying for the title were Shannon Woodward, Anna Baran and Jenna Starr. They will serve as fair princesses.

Presidential scholarships

Two Howard County high school seniors received the National Association of Counties (NACo) Presidential Scholarships last month in Charlotte, N.C. Two scholarship winners are chosen annually from graduating seniors in the home county of the current president of NACo. Howard County Councilman C. Vernon Gray is NACo's president.

Adom Crew, a River Hill High School graduate, received the presidential scholarship for $2,500, renewable for four years. Adom plans to attend Brown University and major in rehabilitative or sports medicine.

Sondra Hellstrom, a 2000 graduate of Mount Hebron High School, received the second presidential scholarship. Her award of $1,000 is also renewable for four years. She plans to study civil and environmental engineering and international relations.

Thrift shop

Stop by St. Paul's Nearly New Thrift Shop in Woodbine, where you can pick up bargains, donate used items or volunteer.

Volunteers are always needed. Students looking to fulfill community service hours can volunteer at the shop. Discover bargains in clothing, shoes, jewelry, books, and home accessories. Donate your used items in the blue bin by the shop.

The shop is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from noon to 3p.m. at 15420 Frederick Road: From Interstate 70 west, take exit 71, go west on Frederick Road two miles. The thrift shop is two doors west of Morgan Station Road on the right.

Information: 410-489-4411.

Dayton meeting

The Dayton Community Association will hold a meeting at 7 p.m. Aug. 17 at Foursquare Gospel Church in Dayton. All members of the Dayton community are encouraged to attend.

The focus of the meeting is planning for the annual Dayton Daze Parade and Picnic scheduled Oct. 1.

Information: Ted Davis, president of the community association, evenings at 410-531-7851 or Cathy Bittner, chairwoman of the parade and picnic at 443-535-0485.