Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Photo by M.J. Rhodes Times-Union
The 2004 Kosciusko County Fair Queen is Megan Davis, daughter of Randy and Laurie Owen, Winona Lake. She is a 2003 graduate of Warsaw Community High School and will be a sophomore at Grace College.
She was crowned by Annette Lamb, 2003 Miss Kosciusko County Fair Queen. The new queen will receive a $1,000 college scholarship, several miscellaneous gifts and the entry fee and a wardrobe allowance for the state pageant.
The first runner-up, Allison Scherer, is the daughter of Pam and Bill Scherer, Syracuse, and is a 2003 honors graduate of Wawasee High School. She will be a sophomore at Purdue University. She received a $750 scholarship and other gifts.
The second runner-up was Laurel Jenks, daughter of Philip and Shannon Jenks, Warsaw, a 2003 honors graduate of Warsaw Community High School. She received a $500 scholarship and will be a sophomore at Indiana University.
Third runner-up was Bethany Kinney, daughter of Don and Kima Kinney, Warsaw, who received a $250 scholarship. She is a 2004 graduate of Warsaw Community High School and plans to attend Indiana Wesleyan University.
Miss Congeniality was Litasha Blair, daughter if Linda and Robert Blair, Claypool, who will be a junior at Whitko High School. She received a 200 scholarship.
Wendy Hopper, Warsaw, daughter of Toni Hopper and Tom Leiter, won a $200 scholarship for being the Non-Finalist Interview Winner.
Other contestants were: Brittany Burgess, Winona Lake; Stacey Hatfield, Winona Lake; Krystalle Johnson, Syracuse; Jennifer Jump, Warsaw; Katie Richardson, Pierceton; Cammy Smith, Pierceton; Angela Walker, Warsaw; and Jennifer Woolums, Leesburg.
Emcees for the event were Queen Annette and Kevin Deardorff, executive vice president, Lake City Bank. Special music was provided by Merri Grace Spencer and Thomas Boyd.
The judges, who had a great deal of pageant experience, were: Don Morrison, Marshall County; Gale Richmond, Grant County; and Danita Rodibaugh, Jasper County.
The contestants were judged based upon individual interviews (55 percent), professional wear (15 percent), sportswear (5 percent) and formal wear and on-stage question (30 percent). The on-stage question was the same for all contestants, "Would you say you've learned more from real-life experience or from books?" The emphasis is on poise and presentation rather than beauty alone.
This year's scholarship sponsors were: Beta Sigma Phi, Bowers Jewelry, DePuy, Grossnickle Eye Center, Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Howard, Indiana Lawrence Bank, KMC Corp., Lake City Bank, Lavender Law Offices, Medtronic Sofamor Danek, Nelson Beverage, NIPSCO, Paulus Well Drilling, Penguin Point, Royal Crown Limited, Source One Insurance, Woodward Realty and Zimmer.
The 2004 queen will represent Kosciusko County at the Indiana State Fair Queen Pageant Aug. 20-22 in Indianapolis and at the Indiana State Festivals Queen Pageant Nov. 6 in South Bend.
The pageant committee, headed by directors Nikki Hurley and Jamie Martin, included Stephanie Boyd, Caylyne DeGood, Adam Goshert, Sue Goshert, Annette Lamb, Beth Lamb, Buni Leininger, Maria Oler, Barb Teel and Jim Teel. Committee members and judges have prior pageant experience.
The pageant motto is: "My crown is in my heart, not on my head; Not decked with diamonds and Indian Stones, nor to be seen. My crown is called 'Content.' A crown it is that seldom kings enjoy." -ÊWilliam Shakespeare.
