NDSU Saddle and Sirloin Club announces 97th Little International royalty

Since 1922, the NDSU Saddle and Sirloin Club’s Little International has grown to consist of showmanship competitions in beef, dairy, sheep, swine and goats, as well as public speaking, ham curing, photo competitions, and 4-H and FFA judging contests. Over 300 Saddle and Sirloin members and 30 committees work yearlong to improve Little International, better known as Little I. Each year, the club honors an agriculturist who has distinguished leadership skills in the agricultural industry and possesses traits members seek to exemplify.

In addition, three women are selected each year to represent the Saddle and Sirloin Club as the Little I royalty. As the faces of Little I, they work to promote the event through several publicity events, including radio and TV interviews.

Kylie Hildre of Velva, North Dakota, is the 97th Little I Queen. Hildre is a senior in her second year of nursing school with a minor in human development and family science. She is the daughter of Marty and Jennifer Hildre and is the sister of Carson Hildre and Reagan Sedivec.

Serving as princesses for this years’ Little I are Josi Solsaa and Kristin Schaff. Solsaa is from Watertown, South Dakota, and is a junior majoring in animal science with a minor in agribusiness. She is the daughter of Greg and Lori Solsaa and spends her free time on the farm, with friends and family, and ice fishing. Schaaf is from Glen Ullin, North Dakota, and is a senior majoring in accounting with minors in banking and fraud investigation. Schaff enjoys gardening and working on the family farm in the summer, as well as spending time with friends and family, reading, and going to the gym. She is the daughter of Michael and Valerie Schaaf.

 “Our Little I royalty promote our event, agriculture and animal husbandry throughout the Fargo-Moorhead area and statewide by doing TV and radio interviews,” says Brooke Kunz, 97th Little I queen chair and 96th Little I princess. “They also help educate children about agriculture by putting on a coloring contest. Kylie, Josi and Kristin are outstanding women for these positions.”

Source: Brooke Kunz, Little I Queen Chair, brooke.kunz@ndsu.edu
Contact: Lydia Lyons, Little I Publicity Chair, lydia.lyons@ndsu.edu