March 28, 2024

New royalty in town

The Clarke County Fair Queen and Junior Prince and Princess were crowned at the Clarke County Fair opening ceremonies Monday.

Brandi Gilbert was crowned Queen. Ivan Greif was crowned Junior Prince and Taylor Kent was crowned Junior Princess.

The crowning was based on the Queen and Junior Prince and Princess contest held Sunday afternoon where two panels of judges had tough decisions to make.

One panel judged the Junior Prince and Princess contest consisting of Blaine Cornelison, Ivan Greif, Parker Irving, Alexandria Bundrige, Maizy Irving, Taylor Kent and Gracie Mathes. The contestants each spoke with judges prior to the contest then, on stage, were asked one question drawn at random.

The second panel of judges judged the three Queen contestants: Brandi Gilbert, Hailey Chew and Sydney Garrett. Each contestant modeled three different outfits: casual wear, everyday wear and formal wear. As each contestant modeled their ensemble, they were asked a question drawn at random.

Gilbert was asked what one thing she would change about herself and why for one of her questions.

"If I could change something I would give myself a bigger voice in the community so I could affect more children and more people so we could have a better influence on the community," said Gilbert.

For one of her questions, Garrett was asked how FFA or 4-H has made an impact on her life.

"4-H really got me started learning that I love the livestock aspect of all of it. I've grown up on a farm, but showing cattle is really what got me started. When I was old enough to be in FFA, I made so many new friends and I learned that I was interested in not only cattle but also all the other species," said Garrett.

Chew was asked what she believes makes a good role model as one of her questions.

"To be a good role model you have to show dedication, hard work and passion for the projects and things that you're working with. In being able to show those things, you show others how to act and be respectful and be responsible and caring," said Chew.

Each of the Junior Princes answered different qustions during their time on stage.

Cornelison, 8, told the crowd his favorite holiday is Christams. Greif, 9, said if he could go anywhere in the world he would go to Minnesota. Irving, 5, told the audience his favorite thing to do on the farm is plant corn.

The Junior Princess cadidates answered questions during their time on stage as well.

Irving, 9, told the audience her favorite holiday is the Fourth of July. Bundridge, 7, said she didn't know, when asked to describe her pets. Kent, 7, said her favorite family member is her dad. Mathes, 8, told the crowd if she could be any animal in the world she'd be a Husky because they're ornery.