The Osage County 4-H royalty crowning at the 2016 Overbrook Osage County Fair – from left, 2015 queen Tracy Wilk, 2016 queen Nocona Brinkley, 2016 king Dalton Hook, 2015 king Raymond Hovestadt, and in front, attendants Kaiden Bosse and Gradey McNally. 

In a ceremony held Aug. 10, 2016, at the Overbrook Osage County Fair, Dalton Hook, Vassar Blue Ribbon 4-H Club, and Noncona Brinkely, Melvern Jr. Highline 4-H Club, were crowned as the 2016-2017 Osage County 4-H King and Queen.

Attendants Gradey McNally and Kaiden Bosse helped with the ceremony along with past 4-H King Raymond Hovestadt, Burlingame 4-H Club, and 4-H Queen Tracy Wilk, Willing Workers 4-H Club.

The competition was organized by Osage County 4-H Council, which considered the following information about the candidates for their selection as king and queen.

4-H Queen Nocona Brinkley and 4-H King Dalton Hook.

4-H Queen Noncona Brinkley is a 7-year 4-H member of the Melvern Jr. Highline 4-H Club. Nocona is recognized as an up and coming 4-H member, having served as president of her club, and helping to revive the Melvern Jr. Highline Club. She has been involved with club days, Discovery Day, and National 4-H Week. When Noncona was asked why she wanted to be 4-H Queen, she said “4-H has become a lifestyle for me. Someday I would love to be a 4-H leader. Teaching kids to run a meeting, show animals and become a well-rounded 4-H member – why not start now?”

4-H King Dalton Hook is recognized as an outstanding individual with a great personality, who is always around to give a helping hand. He is in his 11th year in 4-H, a member of the Vassar Blue Ribbon 4-H Club. His big project has always been beef. He has loved showing steers and helping with his family farm and business. He has served as club president and Osage 4-H Council president. When Dalton was asked why he wanted to be 4-H King, he said, “I want to be Osage County King, as I am proud of what 4-H has taught me! I want to give back to 4-H and continue to educate about all the good opportunities that are available to kids with this program.”

Rules to be a candidate require that the 4-Her be between the ages of 14 and 18 be nominated by their 4-H club leaders, submit an application, and participate in a personal interview. The 4-H king and queen serve one year and have a variety of responsibilities, including promoting 4-H, being visible at the county fairs to hang out ribbons, helping host other countywide 4-H events, and participate in next year’s crowning ceremony to pass on their titles.

Sponsors for the event included Overbrook Floral, Overbrook Fair Board, Osage County 4-H Council, PK Country Designs, and the 4-H King and Queen Committee.

Information and photos thanks to Jessica Flory, 4-H program assistant, Frontier Extension District.