By Kalie Lomeli
For the Times
JUDA — The room was full of nervous energy while everyone patiently waited for the new dairy royalty to be crowned, and when it happened there was only love that filled the room.
“We have a great group of Queens,” said Alyssa Broge, 16, Browntown. She is proud to be the second Dairy Queen in her family. Broge understands what it means to represent the Agricultural community, and with the help of a special Dairy Queen, she feels she’s right for the job.
When Broge was 14 years old, she watched as her older sister Aleta Broge took the crown as the 2019-2020 Dairy Queen and immediately wanted to do the same when she came of age. From helping with her sister’s events, to serving ice cream with the Ag Chest, she said, “I don’t think I would be here if Aleta wasn’t a Dairy Queen.”
When past Dairy Queen Briliey Swedlund read Broge’s name, she knew the honor that the crown held for her and her family.
Growing up on a milking farm, Broge has felt the triumph and hardship that comes with raising cows, and she wants to make a difference for the people of her town. Broge gushes at the support she has not only received from her family, but the agricultural community.
“You won’t find any other community that supports you in so many ways,” she said.
Broge has found a family with the Ag Chest, and so have other past Princesses and Queens who attended the event last Friday at the Jefferson Township Community Center. All the past Queens and Princess stood up and shared a special moment with the crowd, creating an even tighter knit community than before.
“That’s a bond you’ll never forget,” Charlayna DeVoe, a past Princess from 2015-16 said.
Other area Dairy Queens include Broge, Browntown; Zoe Endres, Monticello; Leilah King, Brodhead; Regan Mimetz, New Glarus; Grace Anderson, Monroe; Emma Grosz, Albany; Loretta Tisch, Blanchardville; Alice Elliott, Belleville; Isabelle Brewer, Brooklyn; and Kelsi Cameron, Juda.
With so many opportunities, these girls are excited to represent Green County with their crowns held high. Broge talked about the lack of knowledge that many people her age have about agriculture, and she is ready to step up and show people what it really is. Cameron, 16 from Juda, who was crowned this year’s Dairy Princess, also wants to shed a new light on the amazing things Green County produces.
“I will do my best to represent the dairy industry and agriculture,” Cameron said.
Both girls are looking forward to all the amazing events they get the privilege to attend, saying they are excited for everything, and are ready to “take every opportunity” to show off their agricultural pride and to give more attention to the people both in and outside of the agriculture community.
Other local royalty
Juda’s Miah Roth took over recently as the Green County Fairest of the Fair for 2023-24. Roth was the 2019-20 Juda Dairy Queen and is attending UW-Whitewater, majoring in special education.
She replaces Sharlene Swedlund, who herself has a new title: Wisconsin State Fairest of the Fairs.
