By DEBRA HAIGHT

Special to the Daily Star

BERRIEN SPRINGS — South county youth were well represented at this year’s Berrien County Youth Fair king, queen, prince and princess contests Sunday night. Camden Roth of Niles is the new fair king, while Adam Mitchell of Buchanan is the first runnerup to the king. Alana Miller of Buchanan is the new fair princess.

Other winners were new fair queen Katie Nimtz of Eau Claire, queen first runnerup Mari Henderson of Berrien Springs and fair prince Isaiah Wolf of Bridgman.

All the winners were excited after being chosen by panels of judges. Camden said he was speechless, while Katie said she was excited and thankful to be chosen. Mari and Adam said they were excited about the week ahead and thanked the judges. Isaiah said he was excited about being named the fair prince, while Alana admitted she was a nervous wreck after winning.

Sunday night’s contests were held in the fair grandstands before a crowd of 200 people. The new royalty have a busy week ahead of them, as they not only show their own animals and still exhibits but also hand out ribbons and trophies to other youth.

The fair theme this week is “Sew It, Grow It, Show It” and this year’s royalty have certainly done their share of all three. All the winners, even the prince and princess, have been entering animals and still exhibits since they were little and count fair week each August as one of their favorite times of the year.

Camden, 17, follows in the footsteps of his older brother, Cameron, who was fair king in 2007. Camden lives in Niles but is a senior at Berrien Springs High School and also attends the Berrien County Math-Science Center. He is the son of Susan Roth of Niles.

He has been exhibiting for 12 years in several departments including sheep, goats, pigs, horses, baking and photography.

Katie, 18, will be a freshman at Southwestern Michigan College this fall after graduating in June from Eau Claire High Schol where she was president of the student council. She was also this year’s Miss Eau Claire/Sodus for Blossomtime. She is the daughter of Alan Nimtz and Barb Chandler.

She has exhibited at the fair for 13 years, also in several departments including poultry, pigs, cows, horticulture, crafts and flowers.

Adam, 17, is a senior at Buchanan High School and also attends the Berrien County Math-Science Center. He is the son of Dan and Jane Mitchell of Buchanan. At the fair, he has shown for 13 years in several departments including steer, pigs, sheep, rabbits and still exhibits.

Mari, 17, is senior at Berrien Springs High School where she is in choir, drama, National Honor Society and Academic Challenge. She is the daughter of Lana and Howard Henderson of Berrien Springs. She has exhibited at the fair for six years since moving to the area, entering baking and craft exhibits and the speech competitions.

Isaiah, 10, is a homeschooled fifth grader in Bridgman. He is the son of Matthew and Tonya Wolf of Bridgman. He has been exhibiting at the fair for five years, entering exhibits in the horticulture, crafts and photography departments.

Alana, 12, is a seventh grader at Buchanan Middle School. She is the daughter of Jeff Miller. She has exhibited at the fair for seven years, showing rabbits, pigs, home economics, breads and jams.

In all, 18 youth entered the king and queen contest and 38 boys and girls ages 9-12 entered the prince and princess contest.

Mistress of ceremonies for the king and queen contest was Melissa Prestine of Niles, while 2011 fair queen Dana Delmuro was the mistress of ceremonies for the prince and princess contest. Jessica Krassow of Niles was the chairman for both contests.

Judges were Ann Lynn and Sheryl Podemski for the prince and princess contest. Sue Baum, Kelly Boko and Kelly Dargus were the judges for the king and queen contest.