Seven to compete Saturday in county fair queen pageant
The Jasper County Fair Queen Pageant is planned for Saturday and will feature seven contestants for the honor of representing Jasper County at the Iowa State Fair.
Judges will review the applications and conduct an interview process, which will be closed to the public, on Saturday afternoon. The crowning will take place around 7 p.m. during Music in the Park in Colfax. The 2012 Jasper County fair queen and princess will appear at various events around the county before moving on to the state fair queen competition.
The 2012 Jasper County fair queen contestants include the following:
• Morgan Arrowood is the 16-year-old daughter of Brad and Teresa Arrowood and Suzanne and Bill Cobbs of Newton. She is a member of the Sherman Sunbeams 4-H Club, Gilman Saddle Club, Grinnell Saddle Club, Jasper County Pony Express and Newton FFA. Arrowood keeps herself busy by showing horses at the county fair and other horse show, volunteering in several ways around the community, attending camp and working at the Newton Animal Clinic. At school, she is involved in chorus, Culture Club, several FFA activities and is on the honor roll. Arrowood said she wants to be the 2012 Jasper County fair queen because she remembers looking up to past fair queens as role models, and she wants the chance to encourage and inspire the next generation.
• Sarah Wade is the 16-year-old daughter of Patty Schut and Eric Wade of Prairie City. Sarah is a member of the Lucky L’s 4-H Club and has held the positions of photographer, secretary, treasurer and president. At school, she is in marching band, concert band, academic decathlon, concert choir and is on the honor roll. Wade said she wants to be the 2012 Jasper County fair queen because of the memories her aunt shared with her when she was fair queen. She also said she wants the opportunity to show everyone that you can do anything you set your mind to and be a role model for girls all over the county and the state.
• Emily Van Manen is the 17-year-old daughter of Kevin and Julie Van Manen of Kellogg. She is a member of the Jolly Workers 4-H Club, Lynnville-Sully FFA and youth group. Van Manen stays busy by volunteering around the community, attending youth group and helping with Vacation Bible School. At school, she is on the high honor roll, has completed the National Capability Financial Challenge and is a member of National Honor Society. Van Manen said that it would be an honor to represent Jasper County as the fair queen, as the Jasper County Fair is the highlight of her summers, and she thinks it would be fun to promote Jasper County at the Iowa State Fair.
• Kristin Samson is the 17-year-old daughter of Craig and Lori Samson of Newton. She is a member of the Sherman Sunbeams 4-H Club and Newton FFA, where she has held the positions of treasurer, secretary, photographer and vice president. In her free time, Samson volunteers in many ways around the community, attends youth group and plays soccer, softball and basketball. At school, she is on the “A” honor roll, is a member of National Honor Society, has been named to the Cardinal All-Academic Team, is a member of student council and is a member of Link Crew. Samson said she wants to be the 2012 Jasper County fair queen because when she was younger she always looked up to the fair queen. She feels that being the fair queen is about being a good role model, a good citizen, a good student, an active participant and an open-minded, caring person. Samson said she would be honored to represent Jasper County in that way.
• Mikayla Vos is the 17-year-old daughter of Meldon and Eloise Vos of Newton. She is a member of the Killduff Hotshots 4-H Club and Newton FFA where she has held the positions of president, secretary, treasurer and reporter and has shown horse, home economics and horticulture projects at the fair. In her free time, Vos stays busy by being involved with her church through youth group, mission trips, helping with Vacation Bible School and playing the piano and organ for church service and praise band. At school, she is a member of National Honor Society, concert band, jazz band, volleyball and has been the accompanist for the choir. Vos said she wants to be the 2012 Jasper County fair queen because she would love to be a role model for all who attend the fair. She said she always has fun at the fair and would like to be involved in more activities by being the fair queen.
• Jodie DeVries is the 17-year-old daughter of John and Lee Anne DeVries of Colfax. She is a member of the Jasper County Showmen 4-H Club and is currently the president. She also is a member of the Jasper County Council and Diamond Trail FFA. In her free time, DeVries stays busy by volunteering around the community in several ways, attending AWANA clubs, being active in youth group, going on mission trips, babysitting and holding a part-time job at Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino. At school, she is a member of jazz band, pep band, marching band, volleyball, agronomy and parliamentary procedure team. She also is on the “A” honor role. DeVries said she wants to be the 2012 Jasper County fair queen to help promote the fair and all the possibilities that are available to everyone young and old. She said she would like to be a leader and representative at the fair and said Jasper County is a great place to live.
• Skylar McCombs is the 16-year-old daughter of Tina Kavadas and Tim McCombs of Prairie City. She is a member of the Lucky L’s 4-H Club, where she stays active by doing lots of volunteer activities. McCombs is on the honor roll and is aspiring to be on the drill team. She is also a member or the Steppin’ Out dance competition team, where she competes in small group jazz, lyrical, hip-hop and large group production jazz dances and takes lessons in modern dance and clogging. McCombs said she wants to be the 2012 Jasper County fair queen to gain experience that will help her in college and her professional career. She said she thinks it will help her overcome her stage fright and will be a fun experience.
