The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
As the 2009 Henderson County 4-H Fair and Junior Show opened this week, the events began on Sunday as four beautiful young women competed for the 2009 County Queen title on stage at the Grandstand arena.
The evening was alive with the sights and sounds of the Orient as the 2009 Little Miss, Junior Miss, and Queen were chosen.
Seven were competing to be the very 1st Junior Miss in Henderson County, and thirteen eager younger pretty ladies dreamed of wearing the Little Miss crown.
Queen contestants (pictured here from left to right) are Luci Lox, Brittany Nichols (1st Runner-Up), Shelby Crawford (selected Queen) and Koleece Gaskill.
Junior Miss contestants were Adelaide Norzagaray, Sydney Wiegand (2nd Runner-up), Maddy Cooper (selected 2009 Junior Miss), Lacey Harris, Khrystyna Anspach, Ashleigh Brown (1st Runner-up), and Caitlyn Cooper.
The Little Miss contestants were Emma Keever, Annamae Brown (3rd Runner-up), Lauren Kane (2009 Little Miss), Abby Dowell, Kendra Cole, Sadie Lenz, Madelyn Rousonelos, Aubrey Thompson (2nd Runner-up), Nevaeh Stimpson, Mady Reed (1st Runner-up), Jayde Henry, Johanna Sterett (4th Runner-up) and Laurel Beelman.
The contestants began earlier that afternoon with private interviews with the judges. The Queen contestants then 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 Kung Fu Fighting, while the Junior Miss and Queen contestants performed to non-lyrical Asian songs.
After the dances, the Little Miss contestants competed in party dress and pop question competitions.
Each Little Miss made the audience laugh and awed them as they showed their own unique personality and innocence while walking in their fancy party dresses.
The Junior Miss and Queen contestants started the evening competition with a presentation of their evening gowns, their speeches, ending with an on stage pop question.
Before the winners were announced, the crowd had the chance to say good-bye to the 2008 Queen and Little Miss.
Karyn Furnald, the 2008 Little Miss Henderson County Fair wowed the crowd with a eloquent and humorous speech.
She had represented Henderson County at various parades, County Fair Day at the State Fair, neighboring county fair queen competitions, and numerous community events.
She was very elegant in a sophisticated black gown with her hair long and curly and her crown sparkling in the lights.
She hopes to represent Henderson County again because she loves her county and the fair. Bill and Heather Stice, Karyn's proud parents, gave their love, support and of course, flowers.
Abby Corzatt, 2008 Henderson County Fair Queen gave an emotional and touching speech. During the evening, she wore three gorgeous dresses, the 1st was yellow and completely sequenced, the second, a sophisticated black dress, and the third, an amazing white silver sequenced gown.
With tears, Abby thanked her family, other 2008 county fair queens, the pageant directors, the fair board, and Henderson County for the support and the opportunities they had given her. She had represented Henderson County at County Fair Day at the State Fair, parades, neighboring county fair queen competitions, numerous community events, and at the 2009 Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Pageant. Abby reined with pride, grace, and elegance and was an amazing queen.
The community responded, wishing her well as the pageant committee presented her with roses and a crown box.
After the good-byes, it was time for coronation and the first, thirteen eager young ladies entered the stage with smiles in place.
Master of Ceremonies Lauren Gittings, announced Little Miss Photogenic went to Mady Reed.
Fourth runner-up was Johanna Sterett, third runner-up was Annamae Bowman, second runner-up was Aubrey Thompson, and first runner-up was Mady Reed. Lauren Kane was announced the 2009 Little Miss Henderson County Fair.
Lauren is from Little York, the daughter of Joe and Cindy Kane. Her face showed extreme joy, tears, and excitement as 2008 Little Miss, Karyn Furnald, placed the crown on her head.
However, Lauren was not the only one to receive a crown as all of the Little Miss contestants had a small tiara placed on their heads.
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 Ashleigh Brown.
The 2009 second runner-up went to Sydney Wiegand.
The first runner-up was Ashleigh Brown.
The very first 2009 Junior Miss Henderson County Fair was Maddy Cooper who was full of excitement and smiles as she was crowned.
Maddy is the daughter of Scott and Betsy Cooper of Gladstone.
With the community, the Little Miss contestants, and Junior Miss contestants watching, it was time to reveal the young woman who would represent the Henderson County Fair as the 2009 Queen.
As the contestants and their families held their breath the master of ceremonies, Lauren Gittings, began with the Miss Photogenic which went to Shelby Crawford.
First runner-up was Brittany Nichols and the 2009 Miss Henderson County Fair Queen was Shelby Crawford. With much joy, the crown was placed on Shelby's head. Shelby, daughter of Steve and Laura Crawford of Stronghurst, will feel at home at the fair. She spent time there as 2008 1st runner-up and has supported her county fair since she was little. The audience was amazed at this elegant, sophisticated young woman.
Shelby is going to be a senior at West Central High School next year and plans to attend Western Illinois University in the fall to major in forensic science.
She enjoys scrap booking, playing the piano, watching storms, hanging out with friends, and playing sports.
She has been active in National Honor Society, WYSE team, Student Council, softball, bowling, and volleyball.
Shelby, Maddy, and Lauren invite everyone to visit them this year at the 2009 Henderson County Fair.
2009 Henderson County Fair Queen Shelby Crawford, 2009 Junior Miss Maddy Cooper, and 2009 Little Miss Lauren Kane.