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 Tonight will be the last time Michelle Paulus graces the stage at
the Logan County Fair as the reigning queen. The Lincoln native has
represented Logan County in a spectacular way. Paulus, an upcoming
senior at the University of Illinois, has traveled interstates and
county roads to attend as many fairs and local festivals as
possible. Whether she was walking through the fair crowd greeting
little wide-eyed girls eager to get a picture with the queen or
walking through a dirt-filled barn filled with the scent of farm
animals who were equally as impressed for photo opportunities,
Paulus obliged each and every moment with a million dollar smile.
With her year-long reign coming to end tonight, Paulus finally had a
chance recently to reflect on her reign.
"I still cannot believe it has been a whole year since I've been
crowned,” said Paulus. "It feels like just yesterday I was up on the
stage being crowned by 2015 Miss Logan County, Lizzie Ford. This
year has flown by! My Little Miss Paisley and I have had an amazing
year with all of our events we were able to be at. The fair,
parades, balloon fest, working with 4-H, and traveling to other
county fair pageants are just a few to name. Absolutely nothing can
compare to our week spent at the fair handing out ribbons, watching
the events in the grandstand, and so much more. It brings back
memories of my 10 years spent in 4-H, and I love kids still being
involved with their projects and showing their passions through
them.”
Raised on a sixth-generation family farm just north of Lincoln,
Paulus is following her passion by pursuing an Agricultural and
Consumer Economics degree. Paulus Farms, the family's hog and grain
operation, is where the young farm girl first honed her skills.
Now the experience Paulus has gained as queen throughout the past
year will carry her into a bright future filled with skills she will
use for the rest of her life. Her reflection upon those memories is
bittersweet.
"Although I am sad my reign is over, it is a bittersweet feeling,”
said the future 2018 College of ACES graduate. "This year has been
one of the best experiences. I have learned professionalism, poise,
and not to be intimidated by public speaking; not to mention
lifelong friendships through other county queens and the pageant
crew. I know this opportunity has prepared me for a career as well
through my interview skills."
Paulus’ career in agriculture has already been jumpstarted with an
internship at Farm Credit Illinois in Mahomet. "Between my
internship at Farm Credit Illinois and my queen duties, I've had a
busy summer."
Busy might be an understatement. But for this West-Lincoln Broadwell
and Lincoln Community High School graduate, who was heavily involved
in extra-curricular activities throughout her school years, busy is
the norm. Paulus also enjoys the benefits of helping others. She has
been heavily involved in this year’s contest preparation and likes
the way the contestants are working hard for Tuesday night’s
pageant.
"I’m encouraged to go around to other county fair queen pageants to
represent Logan County and to meet the newly crowned queen,” said
Paulus. "This past month has been busy with pageant practices for
the new 2017 Miss Logan County Queen. At the practices, the
contestants practice their walking, interview skills, and our
production number. We have nine wonderful contestants this year, and
they have truly impressed me at all of the practices. They have
worked so hard and it's a great feeling to see how they've improved
and developed more confidence throughout the month. Whoever is
crowned next, I have full confidence that they will do a fantastic
job representing Logan County."
With her reign now quickly coming to an end, Paulus wanted to offer
her gratitude publicly to the pageant directors. "I also want to
recognize our three directors of the Miss, Jr. Miss, and Little Miss
Pageant - Bethany Rademaker, Katie Gosda, and Ali Sherren,” said
Paulus. "They have put an insane amount of hours into this pageant
every year and have done a wonderful job preparing for Tuesday. I am
so lucky to be able to work with these lovely ladies throughout the
year because they are such a great support system.”
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The admiration is mutual. “Queen Michelle has represented Logan
County with true poise, gratitude and dignity,” said Pageant
Director Bethany Rademaker. “She willingly dedicated her year to be
the ambassador for the Logan County Fair and attended numerous
county-wide events. You can see her passion and appreciation shine
through while sharing her love for Logan County. Queen Michelle is
truly proud to be a Logan County citizen and has encouraged the
Logan County community to share in that passion throughout her
reign. As Queen Michelle has stated time and time again, “We truly have a
county fair to be proud of! We have an amazing group of volunteers,
citizens, and Fair Board that allows our slogan to be completely
accurate. We have Illinois’ Cleanest and Best County Fair!”
As Paulus takes the stage for the final time tonight, with her
support system close by, there will no doubt be a little emotion for
some. A support system deep with family and friends throughout the
crowd, will undoubtedly include first and foremost her parents, Kent
and Lynn Paulus, and sisters Ashley and Emily. But ever the
professional, Paulus will keep her composure, flash a smile and the
right words will flow.
You see, Paulus has poured her heart and soul into her reign and it
shows. She has genuinely treasured each moment representing Logan
County.
In her own words, Paulus, who also serves as the 1st Vice President
of the University of Illinois Chapter of the Sigma Alpha
Professional Agricultural Sorority, says, "Finally, I can't express
how great of an experience it was to be able to represent my county
which I am so passionate about. My family and I have always called
Logan County our home and we always will. We have some amazing
people in this county, and I'm blessed to be able to have met and
worked with some of them. I know the next queen will develop a whole
new passion for Logan County and the fair.”
As the anticipation grows for the next queen, so does the fact that
after tonight Queen Michelle Paulus will join an elite list of
former Logan County Fair Queens, all who continue to represent this
great county in a positive way, despite retiring the crown.
Congratulations to all those former queens of the Logan County Fair
and best of luck to each and every contestant this evening.
Those vying for the next Miss Logan County are:
Allison Bone
Lincoln
Parents: Paul & Jennifer Bone
Danielle Burgrabe
Lincoln
Parents: Nick & Karen Burgrabe and Michelle LaMothe
Karrah Dean
Lincoln
Parents: Doug & Amy Dean
Faith Doerr
Elkhart
Parents: Scott & Marsha Doerr
Alora Goodey
Broadwell
Parents: Josh & Jamie Goodey
Skye Kretzinger
Chestnut
Parents: Joseph & Tiffany Kretzinger
Meg Meeker
Emden
Parents: Bob & Diane Meeker
Alice Roate
Lincoln
Parents: Colleen & Bussy Roate
Jade Stewart
Mount Pulaski
Parents: Jason & Angie Stewart
[Teena Lowery] |
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