Paris and Sterling Schnepf (l-r) with the 2012 Iowa State Fair Big Boar contest winner.
A teenager from northwest Iowa is preparing for college after wrapping up her run as Iowa State Fair Queen this week. Eighteen-year-old Paris Schnepf of Granville will attend the University of Iowa this fall to pursue a degree in music therapy.
Her decision has led to some good natured teasing in the Schnepf household as her sister, Sterling, will be a junior this year at Iowa State. “We’ve always been a Cyclone family,” Schnepf said. “I’m going into music therapy and there are only a couple of schools in Iowa that offer it…(the University of) Iowa was definitely the right fit for me.”
Music therapy involves the use of music to help individuals cope with special physical, emotional, cognitive or social challenges.
“I would like to work with kids in a school or a hospital,” Schnepf said of her career goals.
The Spalding Catholic High School graduate sings and plays several instruments including the piano, alto saxophone, mandolin and guitar. As Iowa State Fair Queen, Schnepf collected a $2,800 scholarship. This week, Paris helped crown the 2012 Iowa State Fair Queen, 17-year-old Abrah Meyer of Readlyn .
Paris’ sister, Sterling, is the 2012 Iowa Pork Princess.