Introducing… the 2018 GJCF Queen candidates

     This year there are seven candidates vying for the title of 2018 Jones County Fair Queen. The ladies were announced during the fair’s annual kick-off event on June 13.

     This year’s Fair Queen Pageant will take place on Sunday, July 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Monticello Eagles club. Doors open at 6 p.m. The pageant is open to the public to attend.

     Prior to the pageant, each candidate will have a five-minute interview with a panel of three judges, each different than the year before.

     The pageant itself includes: introductions by the seven candidates, a costume/ skit where each of the girls answers the question “What the Great Jones County Fair Means to Me,” an evening gown portion, and random on-stage questions.

     The list of this year’s candidates includes:

Rachel Ross

     Rachel Ross is the daughter of Andy and Beth Ross of Lisbon. This fall she will be a senior at Lisbon Community High School. While in high school, Ross has been involved in National Honor Society, Student Council, band, speech, softball, youth group, 4-H, and Jones County Teen Council. In addition, Ross has maintained a 4.0 GPA in her classes at Lisbon as well as in her Kirkwood classes. Ross’ future plans include attending Iowa State University to major in Ag Communications and Ag Business. Ross has over 200 hours of community service and has been part of the Be Original 4-H Club since fourth grade. Over the years, Ross has shown bucket-bottle calves, lambs, and exhibited in many other non-livestock areas for her 4-H club. She also has held the roles of recreation leader, reporter, treasurer, and is currently the president of the club. This past year, Ross served on the Lisbon Facilities Committee as the only student representative. She worked to identify the needs and wants of the school district and informed the community in preparation of a successful bond vote. In Ross’ free time she enjoys reading, water skiing, spending time with friends and family, and working with her 4-H animals.

Jabezz Husmann

     Jabezz Husmann is the daughter of Brent and Jazz Husmann. She currently attends Cascade High School where she will be a senior in the fall. Husmann has helped with Cougar Pride Day, support groups, haunted houses, clothing events, the Sand Springs breakfast, and coaching the little 4-H volleyball and basketball games. In addition, she also donated over $1,000 in items to the Dubuque Humane Society. Husmann is a member of the Prairie Hill 4-H Club and holds the role of treasurer. She loves to show her animals at the Great Jones Country Fair. She is involved with cross country, track, FFA and 4-H. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends at the cabin, riding jet skis and boats. In the future, Husmann hopes to attend college for forensic science.

Hanna Wall

     Hanna Wall is the daughter of Tom and Collette Wall. She attends Grand View University in Des Moines where she studies Secondary Education with a double major in English. While she attended Monticello High School, she received her WoHeLo in Campfire, was a board member of Business Professionals of America, and co-captain of football and basketball cheer for two years. Wall was inducted into Phi Ela Sigma and Alpha Chi honor societies and she currently holds the role as choir secretary for the Grand View University Choir. Wall enjoys volunteering at the Youth Emergency Services Shelter as well as teaching cheer and dance at Cottell Elementary in Des Moines. She has been involved in the Education Club and Dance Marathon for the past two years, and she is also a resident assistant and a member of the Grand View Student Leadership.

Jessi Welter

     Jessi Welter is the daughter of Ron and Lori Welter. Last year she graduated from Monticello High School and currently attends the University of Northern Iowa, majoring in Human Resources and Business Communications. She plans to graduate a semester early from UNI, in December of 2020. Welter was a D.A.R.E. Role Model, homecoming queen, and student council vice president while in high school. She currently works at the UNI Ticket Office, volunteers at the Northeast Iowa Food Bank in Waterloo, and is a member of the Stop and Serve volunteer committee, an organization that plans service projects for non-profits in the Cedar Valley area. In her free time, Welter likes to travel, bake, and rollerblade.

Sydney Ballou

     Sydney Ballou is the daughter of Mark and Jennifer Ballou. She will be a junior at Monticello High School in the fall. Ballou plans to take Kirkwood classes her junior and senior year to get credits to help for college. She is involved in track, cross country, and holds the role of choir officer. Ballou has achieved high honors each semester since her freshman year. She loves to help around town getting community service (Silver Service) hours by volunteering for Parks and Rec and at the Berndes Center. She works as a lifeguard at the Monticello Aquatic Center. Ballou loves to run, kayak, and hangout with family, friends, and her dog.

Taylor Cruise

     Taylor Cruise is the daughter of Beth and Jeff Cruise. She graduated from Monticello High School and she has recently finished two years at Kirkwood for Ag Business. She plans to transfer to Iowa State University in the fall for Agronomy and minor in Animal Science. In high school, she was involved in dance, band, choir, softball, and FFA, which she has many awards for. She was also awarded a Gallon Grad for donating blood and had over 300 hours of community service. At Kirkwood, Cruise was a Student Ambassador and was the president of the Ag Business Club. Cruise’s hobbies include working with hogs, welding, restoring and working on tractors, working on the farm and watching her siblings’ sporting events.

Marissa Recker

     Marissa Recker is the daughter of Cory and Emily Recker of Hopkinton. She will graduate from Monticello High School in 2019, with 30 college credits from Kirkwood Community College in Monticello. Recker has been involved in cross country, track, basketball, student council, National Honor Society, National Council of Youth Leadership, and the Interact Club. She is the president of the Monticello FFA Chapter and a member of the Jones County Central 4-H Club. Recker enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and playing piano in her free time. She also volunteers at the Monticello Nursing and Rehab Center, where she helps with crafts or BINGO once a week. Recker’s future plans are to attend Iowa State University and pursue a degree in engineering.