New ‘22 4-H Fair Queen Hopes to Make a Difference at Fair

Cicero’s Faith Hittle — the newly crowned Miss Hamilton County 4-H Fair 2022 Queen — hopes to be a good role model for young 4-H’ers and to educate them that they can be whoever they want to be.

What’s it mean to be crowned 4-H Fair Queen?

“It means so much to me. Because I remember looking up to the past queens and knowing that I wanted to be them one day because their kindness is unmatched and the responsibilities that they have now I want, too,” said Hittle, 18, who will reign over the 4-H Fair, which runs Thursday through Monday at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds in Noblesville.

The 10-year Hamilton County 4-H’er and the daughter of Joshua and Billie Hittle, she was crowned Miss Hamilton County 4-H Fair Queen on Friday night at the 4-H Fairgrounds in Noblesville. Master of ceremonies was Adam Good, and the pageant theme was “Once Upon A Time.”

What best prepared Hittle for winning the pageant?

“I looked at past videos. I was in the pageant last year, as well. So I got a lot of experience. And then I went to dress rehearsals and listened carefully because I knew it would be very important,” said the winning contestant, who competed in 2021 but did not place in the Court.

So what did she do differently this year?

“I didn’t do anything different besides having more experience in interviews as well as being more confident in myself … I’ve learned not to say ‘um’ when I talk, and I’ve also learned how to be able to speak clearly,” said the No. 15 among 21 contestants.

What stood out most to the judges this time around? “My ability to speak well  in front of people. Because I’ve done a lot of interviews. I’ve done the Distinguished Young Woman, for which I interviewed before. I’ve been class president, so I have a lot of adult-kid experience.”

What’s she looking forward to most as Fair Queen? “Of course, handing out all of the ribbons,” she said. “But letting younger people look up to me because I want to be a good role model for them and show them that they have their full potential.”

What does she hope that young 4-H’ers will learn from her?

“I want them to learn good communication skills, responsibility, and I want to be able to educate them that they can be whoever they want to be.”

The 5-foot-6-inch tall, has green eyes and blond hair.

She has completed 164 projects in 4-H, Baked Food Preparation in the Foods project being her favorite. She has also enjoyed 4-H Camp counseling.

What makes her smile? “My family.”

During the pageant, each contestant was asked a question to answer in front of the audience.

The question posed to Hittle? “What are qualities Miss Hamilton County 4-H should possess?”

Her reply: “Miss Hamilton County 4-H should possess leadership skills with her community, responsibility with her fellow peers and good communication skills with younger members.”

A 2022 graduate of Hamilton Heights High School, she was a member of National Honor Society, varsity softball, varsity cheerleading, FFA, Student Government, Spanish Club, Bring Change to Mind Club and Key Club. Her awards include an Agriculture Department award, Top 10 percent of her class and competing at nationals three times for British Pediatric Association (BPA) medical coding.

She will be a freshman this fall at Manchester University. Her future plans include playing softball at Manchester while studying pre-med to become a pediatric orthopedic surgeon with a minor in Spanish.

Joining Hittle in the Queen’s Court are Miss Congeniality, Laura Wertz, a 2022 Noblesville High School graduate, the daughter of Brad and Susan Wertz; first runner-up, Anna Clark of Noblesville, daughter of Chris and Leslie Clark, Hamilton County Dog 4-H Club; second runner-up, Grace Allee of Noblesville, daughter of Jon Allee and Cassia Rhea, Carmel 4 C’s 4-H Club; third runner-up, Brooke Miller of Fishers, daughter of Tim Miller and Julie Marks, Llama Trekkerks 4-H Club; and fourth runner-up, Alexandra Matthews of Noblesville, daughter of Rick and Stacy Matthews, Llama Trekkers 4-H Club.

Contestants were judged on the basis of personality and beauty, with judging divided into three categories with a total of 200 points: Category 1, Professional Wear, black dress pants and white dress shirt (40 points); Category II, five-minute interview with judges (100 points) with points based on professionalism and ability to converse; Category III, formal wear (60 points) based on modeling, stage presence and poise.

Other contestants were Valerie Adams, Sheridan, Sheridan Ag; Ella Feliciano, Noblesville, Winners Unlimited; Alyssa Ford, Carmel, Carmel 4 C’s; Rachel Fulton, Fishers, Fishers Showstoppers; Reagan Hart, Noblesville, Forest Hill; Gabriella Harvey, Sheridan, Westfield Cloverleaves; Delaney Howard, Noblesville, Stringtown Pikers; Anneliese Jessee, Noblesville, Heartland; Riley Landis, Noblesville, Giddy Up Gang; Allie Matthews, Noblesville, Llama Trekkers; Addison McMillan, Noblesville, Mudsockers; Addison Rismiller, Noblesville, Llama Trekkers; Claire Rulon, Arcadia, Heartland 4-H’ers; Allison Shuck, Atlanta, 4 Leaf Clover Cloggers; Savannah Strange, Fishers, Clover Kids; Kaitlyn Waitt, Cicero, Sheridan Ag.

To be eligible for the pageant, a contestant must be 16 years old and no more than 20 years old by June 1 and must be a current member of Hamilton County 4-H or completed her previous year in Hamilton County.

Queen awards include a flower bouquet from Adriene’s Flowers & Gifts, Noblesville; crown from 4-H Queen Pageant donors; sash and $50 from Hamilton County 4-H Council; Picture frame, 8-by-10-inch picture and gift favorites from Pageant donors; meals at the 4-H Fair, Hamilton County Extension Homemakers; gift favor, 2021 Fair Queen McKinley Underhill; gift, Always in Stitches, Noblesville; and milkshake coupons, Hamilton County Farm Bureau Inc.

Contact Betsy Reason at betsy@thetimes247.com