The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
By: Tammy Guile, Henderson County Fair Pageant Director
Wow, Henderson County has some amazing young ladies! Sunday night, July 13th, 21 of our counties most beautiful and educated young ladies competed to represent the Henderson County Fair as Queen, Jr. Miss and Little Miss.
The ladies started their competition at 1:30 p.m. at the Stronghurst Christian Church in the interview competition. After the interviews the Jr. Miss and Little Miss contestants went home to rest before performing at the pageant which started at 6:00 p.m.
After interviews the Queen contestants competed in private in swimsuit and fitness.
To begin the pageant the 2012 Little Miss Henderson County Fair, Lainey Guyton, performed the national anthem. After the reigning queens, Montana Pence, 2012 Miss Henderson County Fair Queen, Annamae Brown, 2012 Jr. Miss and Lainey Guyton, 2012 Little Miss welcomed everyone to the pageant the Little Miss contestants performed a dance to "Call Me Maybe". Next the Jr. Miss contestants danced to "Let's Go" and then the Queen contestants wowed the crowd with an amazing dance routine to "Boots".
After the dances it was time for the Little Miss formal wear and pop question competition. Every heart in the crowd was filled with joy as these spunky young ladies competed. When the little misses were finished the Jr. Miss contestants competed in evening gown followed by the stunning queen contestants in evening gowns.
Then came time for the Jr. Miss and Queen speech competitions and pop questions. The crowd was so proud as each contestant gave a speech on various topics from family to the military.
Before the 2013 Queens could be crowned the 2012 Queens gave their farewell speeches. The 2012 Little Miss Henderson County Fair broke hearts as she so graciously thanked her family, her directors and the fair board for giving her such wonderful memories. The 2012 Jr. Miss Henderson County Fair could not hold back her emotions as she waved to the crowd knowing that this once in a lifetime experience had come to an end.
Then it was time for the beautiful and charming 2012 Miss Henderson County Fair, Montana Pence, to say goodbye. Montana has been such a wonderful embassador for the fair. She has attended more local events then any other fair queen and never missed an opportunity to promote the fair.
This year's pageant was a dedication to her Peacock addiction. All year the pageant crew has referred to her as our "crazy peacock queen". Montana is far from crazy, however, she is a well educated, goal oriented young woman. She will be heading off to college this year to study special education.
The Henderson County Fair Board and the pageant directors express their gratitude for her exceptional reign this year.
During her speech Montana thanked her family, queen sisters, pageant directors and the fair board.
With grace and sincerity Montana wished the 2013 queen much luck and happiness in her year as queen and for the last time stated, "I am your 2012 Henderson County Fair Queen, Montana Pence".
Now it was time for the awards and the crowning of the 2013 Queens:
Little Miss Directors Award: Grace Cargill of Stronghurst, daughter of Chad and Jayme Cargill
Little Miss Photogenic: Lexi Kane of Stronghurst, daughter of Brian and Amanda Kane
Little Miss 2nd Runner-Up: Jamie Miller of Gladstone, daughter of William Miller, Jr. and Whitney Metler
Little Miss 1st Runner-Up: Grace Cargill of Stronghurst, daughter of Chad and Jayme Cargill
2013 Little Miss Henderson County Fair: Kaylynn Hennenfent of Gladstone. She is 9 years old and loves to ride horses and do arts and crafts. This is Kaylynn’s fourth year competing for the title. Kaylynn is the daughter of John and Jackie Hennenfent.
Jr. Miss Directors Award: Kendra Cole of Media, daughter of Brett Cole and Jana Cole
Jr. Miss Photogenic and 2nd Runner-Up: Abby Steck of Carman, daughter of Bill and Brenda Steck
Jr. Miss 1st Runner-Up: Rachel Lefler of Stronghurst, daughter of Mitch and Deb Lefler
2013 Jr. Miss Henderson County Fair: Laura Newton of Stronghurst. Laura is 14 years old and loves to sing and wants to move to Nashville and pursue a career in music after graduation from high school. Laura is the daughter of Chad and Jayme Cargill and Chuck and Lora Newton
Queen 2013 Fitness Award and Directors Award: Maria Reyes of Gladstone, daughter of Daniel and Erma Reyes
Queen Most Photogenic: Jessa Waterman of Oquawka, daughter of Jay and Tina Waterman
Queen 2nd Runner-Up: Marissa Lange of Stronghurst, daughter of Todd and Diane Lange
Queen 1st Runner-Up: Brooke Vancil, daughter of Sherri Vancil and Arbry Vancil
2013 Miss Henderson County Fair Queen: Catie Steck
Catie is 17 years old and will be a senior at West Central High School this fall. Catie gave her speech on MIAs and POWs. Catie was the 1st runner-up at the 2012 Miss Henderson County Fair pageant and was overjoyed to be chosen this year's queen. Catie is from Carman and is the daughter of Bill and Brenda Steck.
Catie hopes everyone will come out to the fair this year and enjoy all the events.
All the young ladies wish to thank the fair board for the chance to represent the Henderson County Fair. The fair board, and the fair, give many young ones in this area a chance to show their animals and projects and an opportunity to learn more about agriculture in our community.
2013 Henderson County Fair Queen Catie Steck, Carman; Junior Miss Laura Newton, Stronghurst; Little Miss Kaylin Hennenfent, Gladstone