21 to Compete Tonight in 4-H Fair Queen Contest

It’s been a whirlwind of activities for Hamilton County 4-H Fair Queen Pageant contestants, who will compete tonight for the 2022 crown.

This marks the 62nd year for the Pageant, which offers an excellent opportunity for this year’s 21 contestants to make lasting friendships throughout the county.

Participation in the pageant activities requires commitment to attend meetings and practices leading up to the pageant.

In years past, contestants during the public pageant modeled professional and active wear and formal wear and bathing suits (in the earlier years).

This year, contestants will only model their evening gowns and respond to one question during the public pageant, which is at 7 p.m. today in the Exhibition Center of the 4-H Fairgrounds in Noblesville. Admission is free.

The 2021 4-H Fair Queen McKinley Underhill, daughter of Sean and Amy Underhill, of Noblesville, will crown the 2022 4-H Fair Queen.

Here is a list of the 21 contestants, city of residence and 4-H club represented for the 2022 4-H Fair Queen Pageant:

• Valerie Adams, Sheridan, Sheridan Ag
• Grace Allee, Noblesville, Carmel 4 C’s
• Anna Clark, Noblesville, Hamilton County Dogs
• 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
• Faith Hittle, Cicero, Husky 4-H’ers
• Delaney Howard, Noblesville, Stringtown Pikers
• Anneliese Jessee, Noblesville, Heartland
• Riley Landis, Noblesville, Giddy Up Gang
• Allie Matthews, Noblesville, Llama Trekkers
• Addison McMillan, Noblesville, Mudsockers
• Brooke Miller, Fishers, Llama Trekkers
• 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
• Laura Wertz, Noblesville, Hamilton County Junior. Sheep Association

To be eligible for the pageant, a contestant must be 16 years old and no more than 20 years old by June 1, 2022, and must be a current member of Hamilton County 4-H or completed her previous year in Hamilton County 4-H.

Contestants will be 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.

Meetings for queen contestants began in mid-June, with an introductory meeting and discussion of expectations, resume tips and question-and-answer session on Zoom video conferencing. A second Zoom meeting offered interview tips. There was also a wardrobe check with contestants bringing their formalwear, jewelry and shoes. Then this week, there was modeling practice on Wednesday, with contestants practicing walking in their formalwear shoes. They also had a dress rehearsal on Thursday.

The private judges’ interviews will be conducted earlier in the day today, individually, with contestants sporting their Professional Wear.

The Queen and her court will be expected to attend the daily events through the week of the 2022 Hamilton County 4-H Fair, July 14-19, and will be expected to attend 4-H functions during the year until the next Fair representatives are selected. Deadline for entry was May 16. Pageant directors are Molly Drummond and Nina Lechner.

– Contact Betsy Reason at betsy@thetimes24-7.com.