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HAMILTON—While both Ethan Eckstein and Lauren Schwab have attended the Butler County Fair for years, this year the two will serve in more high profile roles at the event.

Eckstein, 18, of Ross Twp., and Schwab, 19, of Milford Twp., were named king and queen of the Butler County Junior Fair at a contest Sunday, July 20.

Eckstein and Schwab were selected because of their diverse experience in 4-H, as well as their leadership and communication skills, said Sherri Dunkelberger, a judge at the event.

"Both of them have really done a lot to represent 4-H and have a lot of passion and commitment," Dunkelberger said.

There were five king candidates and 21 queen candidates this year, she said.

Eckstein, a 2008 graduate of Ross High School, has participated in 4-H for 13 years. He has completed projects in natural resources, and has raised goats and swine for projects. He plans to attend Hocking College in the fall to major in farrier science and business.

"I'm really excited that they chose me because I really love 4-H and it will be great to represent it," he said.

Schwab, a sophomore at Miami University majoring in broadcast journalism, also is the 2008 Ohio Pork Industry Queen. She is the first woman in Butler County to win the 51-year-old title.

In addition to 12 years of experience in 4-H, Schwab said she grew to love livestock through working on her family's pork farm.

While she received second runner-up at last year's Junior Fair Contest, she said a year of college and pageants gave her the confidence to win this year's crown.

"I'm looking forward to visiting different departments and going to the fair every day," she said. "It's one of my favorite times of the year."

The Junior Fair king and queen make numerous appearances at the fair throughout the week and present awards to winners.