A 21-year-old from Nampa reigns as the 2011-12 Owyhee County Fair and Rodeo Queen.  Annie Kunerth was crowned the newest queen during the Friday, Aug. 12 performance of the Idaho Cowboys Association-sanctioned rodeo in Homedale.  She succeeds Emmett 21-year-old Cassie Nielsen.
 The Skyview High School graduate is the daughter of Chuck and Tammy Kunerth.
 She has attended Boise State University, the College of Western Idaho and Carrington College, where she studied dental hygiene.
  Kunerth rode her horse Ringo during each grand entry and the Saturday, Aug. 13 fair and rodeo parade, which was her first appearance as the new queen.
 Her school activities included basketball, track and field and serving on the sports medicine team. She also was a member of the Health Occupation Students of America and the Student American Dental Hygiene Association.
 Kunerth also is a National Rifle Association member and enjoys fishing, and baking and decorating cakes.
 Kunerth was named queen after competing against four other women during fair and rodeo week.
 The 2011-12 Owyhee County Fair and Rodeo Queen contestants were judged during a Monday, Aug. 8 style show in which they presented their platform, modeled their rodeo outfit and answered three questions.
 The contestants also were evaluated on their horsemanship skills during the rodeo’s opening night on Wednesday, Aug. 10, and took part in interviews on Thursday, Aug. 11. Interview topics included rodeo, horse care, western tack, Owyhee County History and current events.
 Overall, the contestants were judged on personality, appearance, knowledge and horsemanship.

  From: The Owyhee Avalanche