Agriculture
Athens District High School in Athens, Ontario sits at the heart of a community with deep agricultural roots and a long-standing tradition of rural celebration. The village itself, once known as Farmersville, still honours its farming heritage through a number of annual festivals that bring together students, families, and local producers. Two of the most cherished community events are Cornfest, a summer festival celebrating the local corn harvest with music, food and family-friendly activities, and the Farmersville Exhibition, a July tradition featuring vintage tractors, steam engines, truck and tractor pulls, and exhibits that honour the machinery and labour of agriculture in the region. These festivals reflect the agricultural character of the area and provide opportunities for A.D.H.S. students and their families to engage with farming history and local culture.
Within the school itself, events like Country Fair Day continue that legacy, turning the school grounds into a lively celebration of rural life with games, exhibits, and community participation that echo the broader agricultural heritage of Athens.
Leeds County Dairy Princess
Visit to Leeds County- Former Leeds County Dairy Princess, Jane DeGraff Billings, current Dairy Princess Danielle Heffernan and Ontario Dairy Princess Gayle Lewis join a woman’s exercise class at Rideau District Highschool during latter’s visit to Leeds.
In her role as goodwill ambassador, Ontario Dairy Princess Gayle Lewis has learned the importance of the dairy marketing system for both farmers and consumers. A former member of 4-H, Gayle Lewis is also involved in junior farmers. Through the Ontario milk marketing board, controlling the province's dairy industry, consumers can have confidence in the quality of dairy products and their continued supply. While in Leeds, Gayle Lewis made several public appearances including speaking to selected students in Brockville and area schools and explaining the nutritional value of dairy products.
Leeds County dairy princess Danielle Heffernan was a guest at Linklater Public School; she talked to the students about nutrition and agriculture. She also shared he experiences as the county’s dairy princess, later she competed for the Ontario dairy princess crown at the Canadian National Exhibition.
Jasper Girl Crowned Area Dairy Princess
Over 200 people gathered here last night to see Cathy Leacock of Jasper, crowned as the 1973 Leeds County Dairy Princess. It was held at the farm of Martin Vandenkerhoff.
The runner-up in the competition was Whilhelmina Vandenkerhoff, 17, of Lansdowne. Miss Leacock, a 17-year-old blonde will represent Leeds in the provincial finals at the CNE in Toronto in the later part of august, competing against 35 other girls. She will also preside at the county fairs at Lansdowne, Delta, and Lombardy.
Cathy told the audience she plans a future in farming at home. Her parents own a 1000-acre farm, and the past three generations of Leacock’s have lived in the Jasper area. Miss Leacock graduated this past month with her grade 12 diploma from ADHS. Marks were given for personality, poise, public speaking ability, knowledge of dairy farming operations, and community activities. The event was sponsored by the Leeds County Milk Committee.
Karen beach was the Leeds Dairy Princess in 1972.
Danielle Heffernan Dairy Princess
“Danielle Heffernan of Oak Leaf named Leeds dairy princess”, Danielle Heffernan had her dream come true on Saturday when she became Leeds dairy princess of 1986-1987.
Heffernan bested five other contestants in the annual competition held at the Holstein farm of William Jelly in Elizabethtown Township. The record fields of contestants were interviewed by a panel of judges and then were required to deliver a speech to milk producers and their families attending the event. Strong speeches from each contestant made the job of selecting a winner even more difficult for the judging panel which ultimately selected Heffernan who spoke on “the business of dairy farming”, Charlene Howe, 20, was runner up for the competition. Heffernan was raised on a 500-acre dairy farm at the intersection of lower Oak Leaf Road and the Charleston Lake Road. A student at ADHS, she is going into grade 12; she has been a “school spirit” representative and participates in the school's annual musical.
Country Fair at Athens D.H.S.
Country Fair Day is a long raining tradition at Athens District High School. During the fall students have the opportunity to celebrate their rural heritage with the opportunity to bring a tractor and for the first time in 2025, students could bring a four-wheeler to school to showcase. At Country Fair Day there are activities that highlight our country roots. Some activities over the years have included, tug-a-war, line dancing, potato sack race, hammer and nail competition, hay bale throwing, obstacle courses, face painting, and a hay maze.
In 2017, the school even hosted a Holstein heifer in the field, where a lucky teacher won the "Kiss the Cow" competition.
