With all the dance classes, drum practices, public speaking engagements, lifeguarding, farm chores, community service, 4-H projects and homeschooling work she does, it’s a wonder Faith Houston has time to be queen. Houston, 17, of Templeton, is the 2007 State Fair Queen. She recently won the crown at the Pennsylvania State Fair Association convention in Hershey and received a $1,500 scholarship. Houston represented the Dayton Fair, competing with 57 contestants from across the state. “It’s hard finding the time to do everything,” Houston said. But the always-active and multi-talented Houston does it with ease. “She’s pretty self-disciplined,” said Sandra Houston, Faith’s mom. “You have to motivate yourself if you’re going to do a lot of different things. “Homeschooling helps because it’s more flexible. She does have lots of lists. And not a lot of free time.” Houston will appear at several events this summer and fall including Ag Progress Days in Rock Springs and Farm City Days in Harrisburg as well as visiting fairs throughout Pennsylvania. Houston also won the Lamb and Wool Queen contest in October at the annual Pennsylvania Lamb and Wool Conference. In winning, Houston gave a speech on what she would do to promote the lamb and wool industry and wrote an essay about her 4-H activities raising and showing lambs. She will represent Pennsylvania at lamb and wool industry events this year after being crowned at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in January. In addition, Houston represented Pennsylvania at the 4-H National Poultry Conference for turkey barbecue in November in Louisville, Kentucky, winning first place. She gave a presentation about the turkey industry and grilled two boneless turkey breast halves. Taking public speaking classes since she was eight has a lot to do with her success. “It comes in handy,” Houston said. The 4-H played a big part in Houston’s progress as well. “There are so many projects in 4-H,” Houston, a member of the Homeschooling Hands 4-H Club, said. “It’s not just about agriculture.” The 4-H also helped Houston decide on a career. She wants to be a geriatrics nurse. “In doing community service projects in 4-H like ‘adopt a grandparent,’ and caroling, I saw I had a passion to work with the elderly,” Houston said. “I would like to find a job at a nursing home, planning activities for the residents.” Houston will take pre-nursing classes in the fall at Butler County Community College and hopes to be accepted in a nursing school program at either UPMC St. Margaret or UPMC Shadyside in Pittsburgh.

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