Four will vie for the title of Winneshiek County Beef Queen

The 2012 Winneshiek County Beef Queen will be crowned March 17th during during the Annual Cattlemens banquet at the Oak's Steakhouse in Decorah.

Four young women will vie for the title, while two girls are running to be named "Little Miss Cowgirl."

The Beef Queen candidates are:

--Micayla Christopher, a 16-year-old junior at Decorah High School.  She is the daughter of Michael and DeAnn of rural Decorah.

--Kelsey Hovden, s 16-year-old junior at Decorah High School.  She is the daughter of Dale and Tina Hovden of rural Decorah.

--Karissa Knutson, a 16-year-old junior at South Winneshiek High School.  She is the daughter of Charles and Shelley Knutson of Ossian.

--Chandler Luzum, a 16-year-old junior at Valley of Elgin.  She is the daughter of Dale and Kelly Luzum.

The two "Little Miss Cowgirl" candidates are:

--Makenzie Schnitzler, a third grader at North Winneshiek.  She is the daughter of Randy and Rhonda Schnitzler of Decorah.

--Hannah Snell, also a student at NOrth Winneshiek  She is the daughter of Todd and Paula Snell of Decorah.