September 5, 2017 at 3:32 p.m.
Double duty dairy princesses
Swenson, Dauer showcase two different lifestyles as town, dairy representatives
Miss Nicollet Ashley Swenson, 17, and Miss New Ulm, Maggie Dauer, 18, have more royalty responsibilities than just representing their towns. The two also promote Nicollet County dairy farmers: Dauer as a dairy princess and Swenson as a dairy ambassador, a program for freshman to seniors in high school to get experience promoting the dairy industry before becoming a dairy princess. (photo by Krista Sheehan)
"As Miss New Ulm, I do a lot of polka dancing," Dauer said.
Seventeen miles east of New Ulm, 17-year-old Ashley Swenson also promotes her home town at local festivals and events as Miss Nicollet.
But wearing crowns to represent their towns isn't their only royalty responsibility. They also promote Nicollet County dairy farmers: Dauer as a dairy princess and Swenson as a dairy ambassador, a program for freshman to seniors in high school to get experience promoting the dairy industry before becoming a dairy princess. Although this double royalty duty creates a packed schedule, both Dauer and Swenson said they have enjoyed their experiences.
Dauer, 18, grew up on a 50-cow dairy farm outside New Ulm - a city of about 13,000 people started by German immigrants that still boasts its German heritage today.
"I remember going to weddings and polka dancing with my dad when I was little," Dauer said.
Her family, like many others in town, is almost 100 percent German. During her childhood, Dauer never fully grasped the tradition that came with living in this heavily populated German area. But as she grew older she said she embraced her town's heritage.
"I've actually come to realize how cool New Ulm is and how much it does have to offer," Dauer said. "There's just so much history involved."
She decided to compete for Miss New Ulm, who is chosen based on a bright and open personality, good manners and the ability to speak well in front of crowds. After an interview process, Dauer was crowned Miss New Ulm the first weekend in September and jumped right into promotion. Dauer said she likes telling people about the Herman the German statue in the middle of town, the Wanda Gag house where the famous author of "Millions and Millions of Cats" grew up, the Music Hall of Fame at Turner Hall and Schells Brewery.
"There are so many places around town that if people have never been to New Ulm, they don't know it's there," she said.
In addition to riding and polka dancing on the float in parades at other town festivals, Miss New Ulm also attends all three of New Ulm's German festivals: Fasching in February, Bavarian Blast in July and Octoberfest in October. At these events, Dauer worked with the Concord Singers and the Narren - a word that means "fool" describing characters that wear masks and dance - to get the crowds lively.
Dauer will have to give up her crown in September. But as her time as Miss New Ulm winds down, her love for her town only grows stronger.
"I think being able to represent New Ulm makes me appreciate it more than what I ever have," Dauer said.
For Swenson, her reign as Miss Nicollet is just beginning. After being judged on personality, beauty, poise and her talent - playing the piano and singing "Listen to Your Heart" - Swenson earned the title at Nicollet's Friendship Days during the last weekend in June.
"It's a good chance to be a good role model for younger girls and gives a positive outlook for your town as well," she said. "I want to be a role model like the older girls were for me."
All five candidates who ran for the title were crowned as attendants.
"It shows that the girls that put themselves out there, their hard work pays off," Swenson said.
Since then, she has been busy riding in parades and talking to people about her town of about 1,000 people. Swenson said it's important for the Nicollet royalty to attend surrounding town festivals to build stronger friendships and communities.
"We let other towns know that Nicollet is supporting them," she said.
That support is important when Swenson and Dauer gather together and put on their other crown and banners as dairy princess and dairy ambassador.
"It's cool to represent what I've known and what I've grown up doing," Dauer said. "I like to show others how hard dairy farmers work ... to produce such a high-quality great-tasting product."
Swenson, who is the sixth generation on her 200-cow dairy, said she became a dairy ambassador to educate consumers.
"When I talk to people it's surprising how much they don't know so it's a good way to promote a positive image of the dairy industry," she said.
She said education is especially important when consumers are at the grocery store deciding what dairy products to buy.
"The real message we need to get out is that every dairy product is safe," Swenson said. "People need to be informed about their dairy products."
Both Dauer and Swenson share their messages in several appearances throughout the summer. They have handed out samples and recipe cards at grocery stores and the St. Peter McDonald's, read stories about cows to children at their local libraries, talked to people at breakfast on the farm, and attended farm meetings and appreciation banquets. They will also be busy at the Nicollet County Fair pouring milk and handing out ribbons.
But whether they are at an event to represent their town or the dairy farmers in Nicollet County, Dauer and Swenson have said their royalty titles have helped them grow as individuals.
"You have to be open and willing to talk to people and introduce yourself," Swenson said. "It's really built my confidence."
And it's also helped her bridge together two unique experiences.
"It's given me an opportunity to represent two different lives - city life and farm life," Swenson said.
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