Faith Doerr crowned as 2020 Logan County Fair Queen

 

[August 10, 2020] 

On a sunny and pleasant Sunday evening, seven lovely and talented young queen contestants from around the county competed for a chance to represent Logan County at local events throughout the year. Due to restrictions, this year’s pageant looked and felt different as each contestant could only invite six people.

The Lincoln stage served as the backdrop for the 82nd Logan County Fair Queen Pageant.

Master of Ceremonies Cameron Kurtz welcomed everyone to the final competition of the day, thanking the many sponsors. He then introduced 2019 Logan County Fair Queen Skye Kretzinger, who thanked everyone for their support throughout the year. Kretzinger told everyone to sit back and enjoy the pageant.

2019 Junior Miss Anna Kindred sang the National Anthem to help kick off the evening.

For the opening production number, the queen candidates danced across the stage to the song “The Road Less Travelled.”

Candidates vying for the title included:

Jayden Lawrence of Beason, daughter of Amy and Shawn Lawrence. She attends Lincoln College.

Faith Doerr of Elkhart, daughter of Marsha and Scott Doerr. She attends Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.

Caroline Ahrends of Lincoln, daughter of Marty Orris and Les Ahrends. She will be a senior at Lincoln Community High School.

Abby Stiefvater of Lincoln, daughter of Jeff and Kris Stiefvater. She hopes to attend Vanderbilt University and then medical school.

Katie Hunsley of Lincoln, daughter of Diane and Mark Hunsley. She attends Illinois Wesleyan University.

Grace Skelton of Middletown, daughter of Rusty and Stacie Skelton. She attends Southeast Missouri University in Cape Girardeau.

Shannon Cabit of Lincoln, daughter of Colleen and Jim Cabit. She attends Lincoln College.

To display their communication skills, which is 30 percent of the score, queen contestants spoke one minute on a topic of their choice. Various topics included sharing passion by teaching animal science and opening a barn for 4-H kids in the county to put their passion into practice, and getting lost to find yourself and become more confident. One contestant said her definition of a role model is her four-year-old niece who chases bubbles and has confidence, which encourages the contestant to reach for her aspirations.

Others spoke of reaching out to those who hide their mental illness or depression, a grandma who taught another to give and put others first, taking the wheel and focusing on your health, and remembering to follow dreams.

Contestants said these lessons have helped them become who they are today.

For the pop question, contestants were asked [since] democracy depends on the voice of the people what message they would send to President Trump. Responses included telling him to keep representing the country as best as he can if reelected and represent himself as he wants Americans to act. Others said he should be kind, advocate for others, make sure everyone has the same rights, remember he fights for all of us and be open to different opinions. One would tell him to keep doing what he is doing because as Americans we should respect the president.

The rest of their scores were based on an interview done earlier in the day with the judges, and an evening gown competition to show their stage presence. The swimsuit competition to display their beauty and physique was not part of the stage contest this year so there would be fewer costume changes.

Though there were no royalty from other counties attending, several former Logan County Fair Queens, Junior Misses and Little Misses from years past were special guests. Instead of introducing themselves onstage, this year Kurtz asked each one to stand and wave as he announced their names. He then gave updates on what they are doing now.

Before the results were announced, 2019 Queen Skye Kretzinger gave her farewell speech. Kretzinger thanked everyone for the support and said being out in the community was a favorite experience and adventure.

Kretzinger also thanked her “sash sisters” Little Miss Jolie and Junior Miss Anna for the fun times and all they taught her. She then thanked her parents and grandparents for all their help and support and the friends and family who were often by her side at events.

Though she did not expect a year like this one where so many events have been cancelled and much of the pageant audience having to watch it online, Kretzinger said she will always cherish this year and the opportunities she had as queen.

Finally, the judge’s decisions were announced.

Faith Doerr was crowned Miss Logan County Fair 2020.

Other awards for the queen contest were presented to First Runner-up Katie Hunsley and Second Runner-up Grace Skelton. The awards for most business connections and most raffle tickets sold both went to Kate Hunsley.

The Dean Bruns Memorial Miss Congeniality award was given to Grace Skelton. This award was established last year to honor the memory of long time Fair Board President Dean Bruns, who died in the fall of 2018. Bruns was a vital part of the fair association for over 50 years and one of the biggest supporters of the pageant.

Doerr is a nursing student at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville minoring in Spanish. She has an interest in pediatric nursing and would like to work for a children’s hospital. Eventually, Doerr hopes to become a pediatric nurse practitioner. Doerr’s hobbies include going to country music concerts, trying new restaurants and enjoying the outdoors. To help learn Spanish, Doerr enjoys listening to Spanish music and watching Spanish media.

Doerr’s honors include graduating as the Mount Pulaski High School Salutatorian, being on the Dean’s list every semester she has been at SIU-E, National Society of Leadership and Success, receiving various scholarships. She was Miss Congeniality in the 2017 pageant and first runner up in the 2019 pageant.

Though there was no fair to preside over this year, Doerr will represent the county for the next year at area events that may be held. She is also eligible to compete at the state level.

[Angela Reiners]