The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Tammy Guile
It was a hot evening at the Henderson County Fair grounds on Sunday, July 17 as the 2011 Queen, Jr. Miss and Little Miss were announced. There were 19 Little Miss contestants, 7 Jr. Miss contestants and 4 Queen Contestants.
In attendance for the Pageant was the 2011 Illinois County Fair Queen, Jackie Driscoll. The Queen contestants were Luci Lox, Kelsie Torrance, Danette Riherd, and Miranda Wallace. The Junior Miss contestants were Alison Link, Sarah Ruff, Kilene Haynes, Mia Lange, JoBeth Jones, and Megan Magee.The Little Miss contestants were Kirsten Roberts, Anastacie Reed, Kethryn High, Dakota Ludington, Breanne Kidd, Olivia Gray, Mackenzy Ludington, AuBrey Thompson, Kaylynn Hennenfent, Sophia Lenzer, Lola Hunter, Madelynn, Reagan Spence, Johanna Sterett, Nevaeh Stimpson, Drew Bailey, Keigan Thacker, Liliana Lenzer, and Brooklyn Miller. The contestants began the competition earlier that afternoon with private interviews with the judges, then the Queen contestants competed in swim suit for the judges.
With a large crowd cheering them on the contestants entered the stage for their dance number. The Little Miss contestants performed a dance to Stuck Like Glue, while the Junior Miss danced to Giddy on Up and the Queen contestants danced to a county music mix.
After the dances, the Little Miss Contestants competed in Party Dress and Pop Question. Each Little Miss made the audience laugh and awed as they showed their own personality and innocence while walking in their fancy party dresses. When the Little Misses had completed their competition they exited the stage to cheer on the beautiful and talented Junior Miss and Queen Contestants.
The Junior Miss and Queen Contestants started the evening competition with a presentation of their Evening Gowns, followed by their speech and then ended with an on stage pop question. But, before the winners could be announced the crowd had the chance to say goodbye to the 2010 Queen , Junior Miss and Little Miss.
The 2010 Little Miss Henderson County Fair, Sadie Lenz, wowed the crowd with a eloquent and humorous speech. Sadie was escorted on stage by her father, Doug. Sadie represented Henderson County at various parades, County Fair Day at the State Fair, neighboring county fair queen competitions, and numerous community events. Sadie looked very beautiful in a blue gown with her hair up and her crown sparkling in the lights. She hopes to represent Henderson County again in the future because she loves her county and the fair. After her speech her proud parents, Doug and Amanda Smith, came on stage with other family members to show their support and present her with flowers.
Ashleigh Brown the 2010 Junior Miss then had her chance to say farewell and thank you to the Henderson County Fair Board, pageant crew, her family, friends and everyone who supports the fair and the pageant. Ashleigh wore an amazing blue gown with her blonde curly hair up and glittering in the sunlight.
Ashleigh is not only beautiful on the outside but also on the inside. She has been a great ambassador for the Henderson County Fair and a roll model for her Little Miss and Queen as well as her Pageant Directors. In the future we hope to watch her compete for the title of Miss Henderson County Fair Queen. Her proud parents are Joe and Cindy Kane of Little York.
Taylor Cupps, the 2010 Miss Henderson County Fair Queen, stole the hearts of everyone with her emotional and touching speech. Taylor wore three gorgeous gowns, the 1st being purple and completely sequined. Second was a sophisticated peach chiffon gown and the third being an amazing orange gown with gold sequins. With tears in her eyes Taylor thanked her family, the pageant directors, the fair board, and the county for their support and all the opportunities they had given her. Taylor represented Henderson County at County Fair Day at the State Fair, parades, neighboring county fair queen competitions, numerous community events, and at the 2011 Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Pageant. Taylor represented her county with pride, elegance, and selflessness, we should all be thankful that we had such an amazing queen. The community responded by wishing her well as the pageant committee presented her with roses and a crown box and a crown necklace.
With the goodbyes out of the way it was time for coronation. First, nineteen eager young ladies entered the stage with smiles in place. The master of ceremonies, Lauren Gittings, announced the Little Miss photogenic award which went to Olivia Gray and the Directors Award was won by Nevaeh Stimpson. The 6th Runner-up was Mackenzy Ludington, the 5th runner-up was Madelynn Reed, fourth runner-up was AuBrey Thompson, the third runner-up went to Kaylynn Hennenfent, the second runner-up was Johanna Sterett, and the first runner-up was Sophia Lenzer. Then it was time to announce the 2011 Little Miss Henderson County Fair and it went to Contestant #13 Reagan Spence . Reagan is from Monmouth, Illinois and she is the daughter of Bryan and Jackie Spence Kane. Reagan was excited as the 2010 Little Miss, Sadie Lenz, placed the crown on her head. However, Reagan was not the only one to receive a crown as all of the Little Miss contestants had a small tiara placed on their heads.
With the 2011 Henderson County Little Miss watching, it was now time to reveal the Henderson County Fair Junior Miss. As the contestants and their families watched the master of ceremonies, Lauren Gittings, began with the Miss Photogenic Award which went to JoBeth Jones and the Director"s award which went to Kilene Haynes. The 2011 second runner-up went to Sarah Muff and the first runner-up was Mia Lange. Finally, it was time to announce our 2011 Junior Miss Henderson County Fair and it was Contestant #7 Alison Link, as the crown was placed on her head she was filled with excitement and smiles. Alison is the daughter of Chad and Jenna Link of Kirkwood, Illinois.
Now with the community, the Little Miss and Junior Miss watching, it was time to reveal the young woman who would represent the Henderson County Fair as the 2011 Queen. As the contestants and their families held their breath the master of ceremonies, began with the Miss Photogenic Award which went to Contestant Miranda Wallace, the Director"s Award went to Luci Lox, the first runner-up was then announced and she was Contestant #1 Danette Riherd. Finally, it was time to announce our 2011 Miss Henderson County Fair, and she is Contestant #4 Miranda Wallace, with much joy the crown was placed on Miranda's head. Miranda is the daughter of Tony and Melissa Wallace of Carman, Illinois. The audience was amazed at this elegant and poised young woman. Miranda will be a senior at West Central High School this year. After graduation she plans to attend a 4 year college to major in veterinary medicine and play sports. She is active in National Honor Society, Student Council, FBLA, WYSE, and was chosen as graduation Marshal.
Sunday evening in Stronghurst, Miranda Wallace, daughter of Tony and Melissa Wallace, was crowned the 2011 Henderson County Fair Queen in the fairground's arena. The 2011 Henderson County Fair Junior Miss is Alison Link, and the 2011 Henderson County Fair Little Miss is Reagan Spence.
Also attending was Miss Illinois Fair Queen Jackie Driscoll at center and at her left is 2010 Henderson County Fair Queen Taylor Cupps, and Junior Miss Ashleigh Brown and Little Miss Sadie Lenz.