The 2019 Washington County Pork Queen is now the 2021 state pork queen.

The Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) has selected Leah Marek of Riverside to represent the state and promote the pork industry. An Iowa State University freshman, Marek says it’s a role she’s eager to take on, “It’s a huge honor, I’m excited for it, I’m excited to be able to go to appearances this summer and hopefully things get back to normal so that we can have a fun and full year of experiences.”

Marek was named queen Tuesday during the Iowa Pork Congress in Des Moines after scoring the highest in a contest with 10 other young Iowans vying for the 2021 Iowa Youth Pork Leadership Team. She also received a $4,000 scholarship to use toward her education at ISU where she is double majoring in biology and global resource systems, which she hopes will lead her into the agriculture field and international trade.

Marek is the daughter of Timothy and Heather Marek of Riverside. Her family has a long history in pork production in Washington County, with a current focus on raising show pigs. Marek says she has shown pigs since she could walk.