Queen candidates count down to crowning


The 10 candidates for 2017 GJCF Queen took part in the annual pageant on July 9. From left are Lauren Von Behren, Sophia Stolte, Shay Stephen, Eva Scharff, Libby Moel, 2016 GJCF Queen Cassidy Moore, Mariah James, Taylor Cruise, Alisha Braden, Elle Boeding, and Breanna Adams. (Photo by Kim Brooks)
By: 
Kim Brooks
Express Editor

     The 2017 Great Jones County Fair Queen Pageant was held at the Monticello Eagles Club on July 9.

     The 10 young women vying to be the 18th GJCF Queen introduced themselves to the full crowd in attendance. Each candidate took part in a skit titled “What the Great Jones County Fair Means to Me.” Then, they came out wearing their best evening gowns and took questions on stage.

     Each candidate answered the same two questions given by 2016 GJCF Queen Cassidy Moore: “In the next 365 days, how are you going to represent your platform?” and “What is your favorite quote and why?”

     Breanna Adams, whose family is quite active in farming and raising livestock, had this to say about her platform: “I have a passion for farming. In today’s world, a lot of people misunderstand farming or they’re led to the wrong information. I want to teach adults and kids in schools and the communities what farming is really about and where their food comes from.”

     Elle Boeding offered this answer in response to her platform should she be crowned 2017 GJCF Queen: “I will show girls that it’s OK to say ‘I’m confident,’ ‘I’m smart,’ and ‘I’m beautiful.’ I think it’s very important to empower women because there are so many big changes in the world that girls can make anywhere, from the doctor’s office to the White House.”

     In terms of their favorite quotes, Taylor Cruise said her favorite quote was “Always be humble and kind.”

     “You never know who you’re going to run into,” she said. “Someone could be having a bad day and you could make it a positive day if you’re always humble and kind to that person.”

     Mariah James said her favorite quote is “If you think you can, you can. If you think you can’t, you’re right.”

     She said this is something her parents have been preaching to her and her siblings their whole lives.

     “This is the motto I live by today,” she said. “Thanks Mom and Dad.”

     Each candidate was also asked a wildcard question they did not have time to prepare an answer for.

     Libby Moel was asked whether or not the Pledge of Allegiance should be a normal practice in today’s classrooms.

     “I think the Pledge should be allowed in schools because it represents our country and our freedom and the people who fight for our freedom.”

     Lauren Von Behren’s question was: “If winning isn’t everything, then why do we keep score?”

     “We keep score because it’s a great way to keep track and show improvement throughout the process.”

     Each candidate showed her creative side as part of the costume and skit portion of the pageant. Adams dressed as various emojis signifying her feelings during the week of the GJCF. Boeding, who considers herself a resident expert on the fair, informed fairgoers as they make their through the gate about all there is to see and do at the fair. Alisha Braden, aka. the fair superhero, came out with her sidekick to offer helpful tools for fair week. Cruise, who has been going to the tractor pull with her dad for years, demonstrated her favorite fair activity with a kiddie pedal tractor. James shared the fact that her two favorite times of year are the GJCF and Christmas, relating the fair to Christmas in July. Moel dressed as a wristband and told all about the fair through the eyes of a wristband. Eva Scharff brought some friendly volunteers up from the audience (Nick, Haili, Kinzi, and Annie Schlarmann and Mariah Scharff) on stage to help her play Fair BINGO. Each space corresponded to a day at the fair. Shay Stephen also dressed as an emoji and sang and danced to Thomas Rhett’s “Party on Vacation.” Stephen changed the lyrics to correspond to the Five Best Days of Summer. Sophia Stolte, aka. Safari Sophia, used a treasure map and clues to find the fair treasure. Von Behren made up how own lyrics to Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” about the GJCF as she sang and played the piano.

     The crowning for the 2017 GJCF Queen and Princess will take place on the stage on Tuesday, July 18 at 6:30 p.m.

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