Junior Snow Queen competition Saturday

Alexandra Farber says her year as South Dakota Junior Snow Queen has made her “a more outgoing person, if that’s possible.”

 Farber, who will give up her crown Saturday night, has never been shy. Before she won her title a year ago, she was already an experienced public speaker because of her oral interpretation involvement at Britton-Hecla High School.

 But the past year has expanded her horizons even more by “being able to talk to adults more” and by talking more in front of crowds, she said.

 Farber, 15, is a sophomore at Britton-Hecla. The 2013 Junior Snow Queen will be announced Saturday night at the Aberdeen Civic Theatre.

 During the past year, Farber traveled to the Festival du Voyageur in Winnipeg, Canada; the St. Paul Winter Carnival and the Minneapolis Aquatennial, as well as events in Montevideo, Willmar and Anoka, Minn.

 She enjoyed the Festival du Voyageur because her family came along. She also liked the Aquatennial because it lasted a week and there was a lot to do. Farber met lots of people from other festivals. The week also included barbecues and a Minnesota Twins game.“It was just kind of a jam-packed week and it was really fun,” she said.

 “My year has been busy, but it has been incredible fun,” she said. She has met “so many nice and kind people,” she said. She's made a lot of lasting memories “getting to know everyone and be involved with all the festivals."

 It'll be good when things slow down, she said, but she's excited “for the new girl to come in and have all the fun that I've had.”

 The experience has helped her, she said, to see “the beauty within everything and everyone.” She has learned about what goes into each festival, and “all the hard work that goes into making it possible for the Junior Snow Queen and Senior Snow Queen to travel around and have this wonderful experience.”

 At Britton-Hecla, the 5-foot-11 Farber plays volleyball and is involved in theater. She is a boys' basketball cheerleader. Outside of school, she takes dance classes.

 Farber has two brothers, Mason, 20, and Blake, 22, who attend South Dakota State University.

 Her parents, Tom and Lori, own the Strand movie theater in Britton. In addition, her father is owner/agent at Farmers Union Insurance in Britton and works at First Savings Bank in Hecla two days a week. Lori is office manager at the Britton Chiropractic Clinic.

 Asked about memorable experiences during the past year, Farber points to one fun occurrence.

 At the Willmar event, Farber was seated with other queens watching the parade. A little boy approached Farber. “And he gave me a dollar and he said, ‘You're the most beautiful girl I've ever seen.’ ” That comment left all the girls laughing. “That was one to definitely remember. I still have the dollar,” she said.

 Twenty-eight high school freshmen are vying for the 2013 South Dakota Junior Snow Queen crown.

 A total of 28 talent acts will also compete Saturday. That total consists of 14 junior acts and 14 senior acts. They range up to 18 years old.

 The talent competition begins at 8:25 a.m. and will conclude in the early afternoon. The top five junior talent acts and top five senior acts will perform Saturday night. The top two in each category will perform Jan. 12 at the South Dakota Snow Queen Coronation.

 Here are this year's Junior Snow Queen candidates:

• Aberdeen: Becca Woytassek, daughter of Alan and Sandy Woytassek, sponsor Aberdeen Women of Today.
• Bowdle: Rieley Maier, daughter of Colette and Russell Maier, sponsor Bowdle Snow Queen Committee.
• Britton Area: Lyndsey Effling, daughter of Raymond and Marci Effling, sponsor Britton Action Club.
• Clark County: Allyson Monson, daughter of Jerry and Brenda Monson, sponsor Clarkettes Service Club.
• Deuel County: Peyton Korinek, daughter of David and Sandy Korinek, sponsor Clear Lake Community Club.
• Dewey County: Sloan Anderson, daughter of Kim and Lyle Anderson, sponsor Dewey County Snow Queen Committee.
• Doland: Allison Tschetter, daughter of Gary and Janet Tschetter, sponsor Doland Area Women in Action.
• Dupree: Kenzie Hill, daughter of Heather and Brent Cuny, sponsor Dupree Snow Queen Committee.
• Edmunds Central: Jenna Wiedrich, daughter of Michael and Susan Wiedrich, sponsor Hosmer American Legion.
• Faulkton: Kaci Clement, daughter of Doug and Glenna Clement, sponsor Faulktoneers.
• Florence: Morgen Bunde, daughter of Kip and Nichole Bunde, sponsor Florence Snow Queen Committee.
• Frederick Area: Savannah Hinz, daughter of Dennis and Becky Hinz, sponsor Frederick Forward.
• Gettysburg: Megan Simon, daughter of Stuart and Tammy Simon, sponsor Gettysburg High School Student Council.
• Groton: Marlee Jones, daughter of Jim and Mendy Jones, sponsor Groton Kiwanis Club.
• Ipswich: Langley Secker, daughter of Lawrence Secker and Staci Secker, sponsor Ipswich Jaycees.
• Leola: Elizabeth Grabowska, daughter of Troy and Renee Grabowska, sponsor Leola JW Club.
• Miller: Shae Knox, daughter of Aaron and Dottie Knox, sponsor Miller Music Parents.
• Miner County: Kayla Pardy, daughter of Michele Jacobson and Pat Pardy, sponsor Miner County Snow Queen Committee.
• Mobridge: Grace Jensen, daughter of Kenny and Deb Jensen, sponsor Snow Queen-R-Us.
• Northwestern: Madison Styles, daughter of Chris and Erica Styles, sponsor Plains Lions Club.
• Redfield Area: Chaley Bowar, daughter of Preston and Debbie Bowar, sponsor Redfield Area Snow Queen Committee.
• Sisseton: Veda Allen, daughter of Mike and Nicole Allen, sponsor Friends and Neighbors Club.
• Sully County: Olivia Rausch, daughter of Jerry and Lexie Rausch, sponsor Sully County Active Group.
• Warner: Logan Ellingson, daughter of John and Nicole Ellingson, sponsor Warner Snow Queen Committee.
• Watertown: Summer Lynn Bratland, daughter of Peggy and Scott Bratland, sponsor Watertown Jaycees.
• Waubay: Sophie Beers, daughter of Jill Beers, sponsor Waubay Booster Club.
• Webster: Gabriella Premus, daughter of Cynthia and David Premus, sponsor Webster Community Club.
• Wilmot: Shelby Hooth, daughter of Shaun and Denice Hooth, sponsor Wilmot Community Club.