Selina Lopes of Gustine was selected as the 2021 Dairy Princess for the California Milk Advisory Board's (CMAB) District 6. Lauryn Knott of Merced was crowned Alternate, and Rikki Silveria of Hilmar was crowned Second Alternate. The virtual contest took place on June 17.
Retiring Dairy Princess Alyce Silva turned the title over to Lopes and wished her success as she represents the California dairy industry throughout the coming year. In attendance was retiring Alternate, Paige Brigham, who welcomed the newly crowned Alternates to the program.
Lopes will represent District 6, which includes Alameda, Mariposa, Merced, Monterey, San Benito, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Stanislaus and Tuolumne counties. As Dairy Princess, she will play an essential role in the CMAB's Communications Services team to help meet community relations objectives.
Selina is the daughter of Paul and Darlene Lopes. She is a student at Modesto Junior College and is pursuing an Associate Degree in Agriculture Sales and Agriculture Communication. She plans to transfer to a four-year university to obtain a degree in Agriculture Business. Selina participates on her college’s Dairy Show team and was a recent Dairy Challenge participant. She is president of the Young Farmers Club and a member of Collegiate Agricultural Leaders, where she earned First High Individual in a Job Interview contest. Selina recently interned with the West Campus Internship Program as an Outreach and Media intern, and is a past California Farm Bureau Collegiate Discussion Meet Semi-Finalist.
Lauryn is the daughter of Marcus Knott and Nicole Rose of Merced. She is a student at Modesto Junior College and is entering the college's Large Animal Veterinary Technology Program to obtain an Associate Degree. She plans to transfer to Fresno State University to pursue a degree in Dairy Science. Lauryn raised dairy replacement heifers during high school for the Merced County Fair & Show. She is employed by a veterinary practice caring for boarded and hospitalized small animal patients. Her long-term goal is to pursue a career in animal veterinary technology.
Rikki is the daughter of Danny and Shawna Silveria of Hilmar. She is a student at Modesto Junior College and plans to transfer to a four-year university to pursue a degree in Agriculture Business. She showed dairy cattle in high school and was active in 4-H and the Hilmar High School FFA. She served as a Dairy Leader and held various leadership positions. Her community service includes LOVE Hilmar and Karing for Kaiden (K4K). She is employed by a local commodity trucking company.
The Dairy Princess will attend a professional development and educational training focused on presentation skills, dairy knowledge and advocacy, social media, business etiquette, and leadership development.
California is the nation's leading milk producer. It also produces more butter, ice cream and nonfat dry milk than any other state. The state is the second-largest producer of cheese and yogurt. Real California dairy products can be identified by the Real California Milk seal, which certifies that the products are made exclusively with milk produced on California dairy farms by California dairy farm families.
