Stephen crowed 2017 GJCF Queen

     Second time’s the charm for the newly crowned 2017 Great Jones Fair Queen.

     On Tuesday evening, July 18, just minutes before the pouring rain drenched the stage, Shay Stephen of Monticello was crowned this year’s Fair Queen.

     The expression on her face said it all…

     “I was super surprised,” she said during an interview following the arduous 4-H/FFA Swine Show at the fair.

     With the first announcement naming Fair Princess, Stephen said you just hope to hear your name. When the princess title went to Lauren Von Behren, the remaining candidates start to tense up.

     “You start to get goose bumps,” she said, noting the return of the anxiety yet again just talking about it. “It happens to fast, and it started pouring rain.”

     This was Stephen’s second time running for the coveted title. She ran last year, one of seven candidates. This year, there were 10 young women all vying for the title, with four returning candidates from past years.

     “This year we had the best group of girls,” remarked Stephen.

     Stephen said what inspired her to run again was 2016 GJCF Queen Cassidy Moore.

     “She ran twice and won last year,” said Stephen, who followed in Moore’s footsteps.

     “Plus I really wanted to win the first time,” she admitted.

     Another person who convinced Stephen to run was Becky Stahlberg, who’s daughter Brooke also ran for GJCF Queen.

     “She told me to run again so I took her advice,” shared Stephen. “And I’m glad I did.”

     She said she also learned a lot of lessons and tricks from her first experience in the pageant last year: Not to cross your legs while sitting at a table and not to have chipped fingernails.

     Stephen said the interview process as part of the pageant also proved beneficial when it came to applying for scholarships for college. One of her successfully sought scholarships included an interview.

     Prior to being named 2017 GJCF Queen, Stephen had been an avid fairgoer, but took in a whole new side of the fair business last week.

     “My favorites were the kiddie shows,” she said, referring to the Kiddie Dairy and Kiddie Beef shows. There, Stephen was able to interview and ask each of the young, future 4-H’ers an interview-type question. “Their answers were hilarious,” she added.

     In the past, Stephen worked the entrance/exit gates for a few years while in high school, and attended the concerts.

     “I’ve been coming here my entire life,” she said.

     Stephen’s assigned duties as Fair Queen meant handing out ribbons to 4-H and FFA exhibitors at the livestock shows.

     “It was every day,” she said. “There are so many shows.”

     Speaking of shows, Stephen also got the opportunity to meet the likes of country musicians Thomas Rhett, Frankie Ballard, and Keith Urban who all performed this year at the GJCF.

     In just a day after being crowned, Stephen already had some special moments. She said she met a little girl, also with the name of “Shay,” which was pretty unusual.

     “She wanted to take a picture with me,” she said.

     She said she also got several Facebook and text massages from people, some of whom she didn’t know.

     With the GJCF behind her, Stephen will be working with Pageant Organizer Marcia Kray to prepare to represent Jones County at the Iowa State Fair. This will also be her first visit to the State Fair.

     “Cassidy Moore gave me a piece of advice,” said Stephen. “Be careful what you say because you’re in the public eye.”

     She said this experience would definitely look great on a resume, something she urges other girls to consider.

     “A lot of the (pageant) process is based on community involvement,” said Stephen. “This is something others and the community should know.”

     Stephen herself has a list of community service: Sunday School teacher, captain of her high school softball and basketball teams, and teaching softball lessons, something she does on the side. Stephen also got to speak during her May 2017 high school graduation ceremony. Her speech centered on new beginnings.

     “Everyone has a purpose,” she said, “whether you’re a doctor or a mailman.”

     In August, Stephen will attend the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, and major in nursing. She’s hoping to graduate early due to the transfer of over 50 credits from Kirkwood Community College.

     Stephen is the daughter of Dianne Pedrin, Pete Rieniets, and the late Brad Stephen.