Dairy Princess Is Lactose Intolerant

Elma, Wash., High School senior Laurel Gordon, seen hear on her family’s farm Saturday was Grays Harbor County’s dairy ambassador in 2010-11, despite the fact that she is lactose intolerant. (The AP/The Daily World, Jillian Beaudry)

She has to have worked on a dairy farm or shown dairy cows for FFA or 4-H. She must be single. She must be a legal resident of Washington. She must have a neat, professional appearance without any tattoos or piercings. These are all the requirements of being a Washington State Dairy Ambassador. As strict as some of these requirements are, one requirement that might seem logical is missing — namely, that she be able to consume dairy products. Laurel Gordon, 18, a senior at Elma High School, was Grays Harbor County’s Dairy Ambassador for 2010 to 2011 and is a contestant for the state dairy ambassador title in next month’s competition. She is also a lactose intolerant dairy princess/ Jillian Beaudry , The World. More here.

DFO: This isn’t as odd as it sounds. My father, who made a living as a dairyman for most of his adult life, was lactose intolerant. He never drank milk.

Question: Can you consume milk and dairy products? Or are you lactose intolerant, too?