With a packed grandstand, Vanessa Jones was crowned 2009 Miss Jasper County Fair Queen Monday evening. Vanessa is the 18 year old daughter of Mike and Vickie Knepper of Newton. Sharon Blievernicht, 19, the daughter of Mike and Kim Blievernicht of Newton, was named First Runner-Up. The newly crowned Queen Vaneessa was named Miss Congeniality by the other contestants and also received the Outstanding Communication Award.
Other contestants in this year's pageant were Keely Kerner, 18, the daughter of Danny and Shelly Kerner of Newton; Tasha Sparks, 17, the daughter of Jerry and Rebecca Sparks of Newton; and Kearstin Shamhart, 18, the daughter of Marjorie and Jeff Probst and Randy Shamhart of Newton.
Sponsors for this year's pageant were CVS in Newton, Joe's Italian Foods in Newton, Smithenry Trenching and Backhoe, Yager Backhoe and Lawn Services, Newton Hair Gallery, Country Financial Services by Dave Jansen, McClane Motors, Kelly Hemrich, Ind. Beauty Consultant and Schilling Brothers in Newton.
Geron Scates, M.C. for the program introduced Veronica Hickox who opened the pageant with the singing of the National Anthem.
Using the theme for this year's pageant - "She's Country" - the 2008 Queen and the Queen Contestants entered on farm equipment with the 2008 Miss Jasper County Fair Queen Ashley Hemrich, arriving on a backhoe, followed by the five queen contestants who were riding in a wagon.
After the young ladies had arrived to the stage area, Scates introduced Queen Ashley who welcomed everyone to the event. Following her welcome, the five contestants - Sharon Blievernicht, Keely Kerner, Tasha Sparks, Kearstin Shamhart and Vanessa Jones - were introduced. After the five young ladies had left the stage, the Little Misses made their first appearance on stage, wearing their swimsuits. Scates introduced each of them. The 15 young ladies who participated were Alivia Jane Huddleston, daughter of Troy and Maria Huddleston; Kaylynn Paddick, daughter of Jessica Paddick; Isabella Ely, daughter of John and Myra Ely; Brooke Renee Schafer, daughter of Bambi and Ron Schafer; Mabry Kay Mitchell, daughter of Matt and Sandra Mitchell; Emma Janette Kidwell, daughter of Steven and Rachel Kidwell; Emma Grace Oldham, daughter of Terry and Becky Oldham; Taler Nicole Utley, daughter of Gene Utley and Jenni Meinhart; Morgan Lucile White, daughter of Grant and Dawn White; Sydney Cunningham, daughter of Jorrie and Cary Cunningham; Caitlyn Schmidt, daughter of Gary and Cathy Schmidt; Madalyn Rauch, daughter of Alan and Lisa Rauch; Makala Wilson, daughter of Calvin and Rebecca Wilson; and Abbie Fitzmaurice, daughter of Michael and Amanda Fitzmaurice.
The LIttle Misses did a dance routine to "I'm a Little Tea Pot ".
As each were introduced the young ladies made a walk down the runway and 'threw kisses' to family and friends.
Later they returned to the stage and each received a crown from Queen Ashley. Cheryl Earnest, along with her daughters Natalie and Natasha, coordinated this year's Little Miss Pageant.
After this part of the program, Scates introduced the three judges for the pageant. Following the Communitcation Competition of the pageant, visiting queens were invited to the stage area and they each introduced themselves and complimented Queen Ashley for all she had done during her reign. These queens represented Clark County, Richland County, Clay County, Effingham County, Edgar County, Bond County and Lawrence County.
During the Communication Competition, the five contestants, dressed in business attire, each gave a one minute speech. The speeches were on various subjects including music and its importance in today's world, going back in a 'time machine' to when they had been a Little Miss Contestant, their lifelong desire to go into the medical field and one on tractor pulls and the fact that you need to think before you act.
Before Queen Ashley's Farewell she asked each of the five contestants a question. The question concerned the fact that if they would become Miss Jasper County Fair Queen one of their duties would be to do radio 'spots' about the Jasper County Fair. She asked each of them what they would say in a 30 second promotion for the fair to help persuade people to come to this year's fair.
Before Queen Ashley gave her farewell speech and her final walk down the runway, Scates introduced and thanked the Pageant Crew and the Jasper County Fair Board. He especially thanked Trisha Borgic Mason, pageant director, who briefly spoke and thanked the many people who had helped throughout the year. Later each contest was presented flowers from Mason.
Queen Ashley then gave her Farewell Speech thanking her family and friends for all of their support. She also gave a special thanks to the Jasper County Fair Board, to Trisha Mason (Pageant Director) and Lisa Goodwin who had helped her throughout the year especially when she went to State Competition.
Following her emotional speech and final walk down the runway, the awards were presented. The first was the Communication Award - an award that had been started in 2006 that is presented to the contestant who the judges felt had the best speech. Vanessa Jones was presented this award.
Miss Jones was also presented Miss Congeniality Award.
Sharon Blievernicht was named First Runner-Up.
The final announcement was the name of the 2009 Miss Jasper County Fair Queen - Vanessa Jones. Queen Ashley crowned her and then Queen Vanessa took her first walk down the runway as Miss Jasper County.
The newly crowned Miss Jasper County, First Runner-Up and Miss Congeniality all received numerous prizes. Each of the contestants also received prizes, as did the young ladies who were in the Little Miss Pageant.
As Miss Jasper County Fair Queen, Queen Vanessa started her duties early Tuesday by handing out ribbons at the various 4-H Shows and presenting award at the various night events.
In January, Queen Vanessa will represent Jasper County in the State Competition.
Newton, Ill. —
