Molly Schempp crowned Miss Logan County Fair 2018
Julia Collins - Junior Miss
Kylee Fulk - Little Miss

[August 02, 2018]  On a cool and breezy Tuesday evening, seven lovely and talented young women, seven delightful junior misses, and fifteen charming little misses from around Logan County competed for a chance to represent Logan County.
 Because of the threat of rain, the pageant was moved to the show barn where a stage decorated with blue and red stars served as the backdrop for the 79th Logan County Fair Queen Pageant.

Master of Ceremonies Cameron Kurtz welcomed everyone to the 82nd anniversary of the fair, thanking the many sponsors, and introduced 2017 Logan County Fair Queen Meg Meeker, who told everyone to relax and have a good time.

For the opening production number, the queen candidates danced across the stage to "Rock This Country” then introduced themselves.

The candidates vying for the title included:

Molly Schempp of Atlanta, daughter of Darin and Cindy Schempp, who will be a senior at Schempp Home School and also attend Olympia High School part time.

Maggie Anderson of Mount Pulaski, daughter of Ed and Carol Anderson, who will be a senior at Mount Pulaski High School.

Grace Bobb of Lincoln, daughter of Michael Bobb and Katie Williamson, who will be a senior at Lincoln Community High School.

Skye Kretzinger of Chestnut, daughter of Joseph and Tiffany Kretzinger, who will be a sophomore at Lincoln Land Community College.

Olivia Letterle of Mount Pulaski, daughter of Bryan and Shelley Letterle, who will be a freshman at Lincoln Land Community College.

Kristy Weidhuner of Lincoln, daughter of Scott and Amy Weidhuner, who will be a freshman at Illinois State University.

Audrey Dennison of Lincoln, daughter of Chad and Kari Dennison, who will be a senior at Lincoln Community High School.

To display their communication skills, which is 40 percent of the score, queen contestants spoke on a topic of their choice diverse in topics such as the pig and calf scrambles and making it happen, small towns and agriculture in Logan County, good times with family, and plans to be an agricultural teacher and FFA advisor teaching leadership skills. Other topics included making a difference, inspiring kids to develop a passion for agriculture, plans for being a pediatric nurse and helping scared kids, being inspired to come out on top even when dealing with hardship and bumps in the road, and becoming a psychologist to help kids and to develop more awareness of mental health issues.

For the pop question, the contestants were asked what they thought about a woman running for president. Some answered that it would be fine if the woman was qualified and had the ability, skill, and confidence. Others said it is great step towards furthering women’s place in society and showing equality with men, and that it is something we need.

The rest of their scores were based on an interview done earlier in the day with the judges, a swimsuit competition to show their beauty and physique, and an evening gown competition to demonstrate their stage presence.

Last year, a Junior Miss competition was added for girls between the ages of nine and12, and this year, the age range was changed to 11 to 13. A three-minute personal interview done before the contest was worth 75 percent of their score. The other 25 percent of the score came from their appearance on stage and answering a question.

The Junior Miss contestants danced across the stage to the song “Boots and Bling.”

This year’s seven Junior Miss contestants included Danielle Phillips, Adi Rumler, Ellyn Martinez, Josie Wakeman, Lizzie Hudson, Jayda Allspach, and Julia Collins.
These contestants were asked a question about what should be shared on social media. Answers included only posting what you are comfortable sharing with others since it could affect future jobs, thinking about what you post and not posting anything you might regret, being cautious and careful because you do not know who might see it and it could lead to bullying or stalking, not posting inappropriate photos and not posting something you wouldn’t show to your grandma.

As always, the Little Miss contestant provided some cute moments as they introduced themselves and told what they like about the fair. Answers included the rides, fishing, food, time with family, the derby, the animals, and showing pigs and bringing home the bacon.

This year’s fifteen Little Miss contestants included Haylee Cowan, Trinity Callahan, Emily Lawrence, Kallie Courtwright, Jaelynn Hinch, Kylee Fulk, Jolie Grisham, Sydnie Sanderbeck, Willow Smith, Andrea Rogers, Brooklyn Edwards, Bristol Karas, Reagan Titus, Brinley Balance and Olivia Wrage.

Little Miss contestants were judged on a two-minute personal interview and their stage presence.

As in previous years, special guests filled the time between the various sections of the competition. These guests included this year's Queens, Junior Misses, and Little Misses from various Illinois counties, who introduced themselves and wished all the contestants luck.

Other guests included several former Logan County Fair Queens and Little Misses. The royalty ranged from recent years who shared what they are doing now, all the way back to 1968 Queen Peggy Neal and 1945 Queen Evelyn Oltmanns Belcher. Neal said she remembered being asked if a woman should run for president, and Belcher recalled when she was queen she did not have to do anything at the fair after being crowned.

Before results were announced, the outgoing 2017 royalty gave farewell speeches.

Little Miss Elliana Park thanked the fair board, Queen Meg, and Jr. Miss Karson for everything and wished contestants luck.

Junior Miss Karson Mott thanked the fair board, her parents, her siblings, and the pageant directors for all their support.

Queen Meg Meeker said ten years ago, she never imagined running for queen and said this last year had been a life changing experience for her. Meeker thanked her network of support that included the fair board, many business sponsors, her hairstylist, her former ag teacher Betsy Pech, her parents, her siblings, her friends, the pageant directors, and Karson and Elliana, who had become like little sisters to her. Meeker told the new queen to just be herself.

Finally, the judge's decisions were announced.

Molly Schempp was crowned Miss Logan County Fair 2018, Julia Collins was crowned Junior Miss Logan County, and Kylee Fulk was chosen as the new Little Miss Logan County.

Other awards for the queen contest were presented to First Runner-up, and Miss Congeniality - Kristy Weidhuner; Second Runner-up and Most business connections - Skye Kretzinger; and Crowd's Choice - Grace Bobb.

Other awards for the junior miss contest were First Runner-up - Adi Rumler; Second Runner-up - Danielle Phillips; Most photogenic - Josie Wakeman; Crowd's Choice - Jayda Allspach; and Most raffle tickets sold - Ellyn Martinez.
Other awards for the little miss contest were First Runner-up - Willow Smith; Second Runner-up - Reagan Titus; Crowd's Choice - Bristol Karas; Most photogenic - Andrea Rogers; and Most raffle tickets sold - Emily Lawrence.
Following completion of high school, Queen Molly Schempp plans to study agriculture at Joliet Junior College and then finish at a university with her bachelor’s in Agricultural Education. Her hobbies include working outside with her livestock, playing the organ and piano, being with family and friends, and travelling. She enjoys reading about agriculture news and hot topics and seeing the results of her artwork.

Queen Schempp, joined by Junior Miss Collins and Little Miss Fulk, will reign over the Logan County Fair attending many events and presentations and handing out ribbons during the remaining days of the fair. She and other royalty will also represent Logan County at various other events during the year with Schempp competing in January for the title of Miss Illinois County Fair.

[Angela Reiners]