Teen takes dairy princess prizes

Molly Markham O'Hara, grand daughter of Ted and Peg Markham of Bath, brought home two top awards at the annual New York State Dairy Princess Coronation held in Syracuse on Feb. 19. Molly earned a first place cash award in the Product Knowledge test and another cash award for placing in the top three for Written Communication. Molly is the 2007-2008 Cayuga County Dairy Princess. She is a senior at Union Springs High School and will attend Cornell University in the fall. Molly is the daughter of Jim Markham O'Hara and Ted O'Hara of Union Springs.

The Dairy Princess Program is sponsored by the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council, Inc. The organization is dedicated to promoting milk consumption as a vital component of a healthy diet. Young women, ages 16 to 24, whose parents derive a "major portion" of their income from dairy farming or who parent(s) are employed by the dairy industry are eligible to compete for the county title. This year's New York State Princess is Kristen Davenport from Columbia County.