SANDPOINT — When Caylijo Giard was named Bonner County Fair queen on Tuesday, it continued a family tradition.

Her mother, Deanna Giard, and grandmother, Patty Harkey, also served as fair queens. Other family members have held fair royalty titles as well.

"I'm just really thankful for this experience," Giard said shortly after being announced as the 2025 Bonner County Fair queen. "My mom, my grandma, my aunt, my sister, my cousin and my brother were all fair royalty, so I'm just very excited for this opportunity."

As fair queen, Giard has been serving as an advocate for 4-H and attending various competitions with the rest of the fair royalty. Throughout the year, the youth will attend other fair programs to support 4-H.

A member of the Sagle Saddle Tramps 4-H Club, Giard got involved in 4-H after her mom became the club’s general leader.

Without question, her favorite projects are those involving horses.

"We're a horse family," she said. "We've always had horses ever since I can remember."

Her first year in 4-H, she rode the family horse. Now, she has her own. She said she connects with horses and loves spending time with them.

"With horses, I feel better than people," she said. "I had to really build up my people-talking skills, and horses helped me do that."

She has competed in a variety of horse projects, including judging, ecology and demonstration, at both the state and national levels.

"I found my thing in life and just went with it," Giard said.

In addition to horse projects, Giard has completed a swine project for nine years and dairy goat projects for eight years. She has also done pack and pygmy goat projects and added a meat goat project this year to step out of her comfort zone.

It paid off — one of her market goats earned reserve overall champion honors.

While horses are her favorite, Giard said she also enjoys raising pigs.

"They're a great animal, and they're super steadfast," she said.

Beyond animal projects, Giard also enjoys static projects, including leathercraft and sewing.

Giard, who will be a senior at Sandpoint High School this fall, said she plans to participate in 4-H next year as well. While she could potentially take part for an 11th year, she anticipates college may make that difficult.

Raising a market animal takes hard work and dedication, she said, and develops skills that may surprise many.

"I think a lot of people think 4-H is just leading an animal," Giard said. "I don't think people understand how much work, effort and time is put into it. You're getting a market animal from the time it is very young, you're raising it, you have to exercise them properly and feed them properly — or they're never going to become the animal they should be and have the potential of becoming."

For those who may not be animal people, Giard said 4-H has something for them, too, noting there are projects for every interest — from sewing to computers.

"There's something for everyone — beekeeping, archery, whatever," she said. "There's a place for everyone in 4-H."

She plans to attend Washington State University to pursue the school’s renowned veterinary program.

"I've dreamed of being a large animal vet since I was 11 years old," she said.

Giard said she applied for the fair queen position for several reasons. First, she loves the fair and 4-H and wanted to share her passion for the organization and all it represents with the community.

She plans to stay involved in 4-H after graduating from both high school and college. Becoming a leader, she said, will give her a chance to give back and share everything she’s gained as a “4-H kid.”

"Honestly, 4-H has always felt like a family to me," Giard said. "In 2008, I was 3 days old at the Bonner County Fair. My mom was a superintendent, so I was being packed around like luggage the whole week."

Growing up in 4-H, she said she has always felt at home in the program. It has, she added, made her the person she is today.

"I used to be really shy, but I feel like I am a very outgoing person now," Giard said. "It's just built me up and has taught me so many different skills."

    Deanna Giard, Caylijjo Giard and Patty Harkey pose after the soon-to-be Sandpoint High School senior, center, was named Bonner County Fair queen for 2025.