Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Photo by M.J. Rhoades, Times-Union
2002 Fair Queen Is Caylene De Good. She is the daughter of Scott and Mary De Good, Syracuse, and will be a senior at Wawasee High School. She was crowned by the reigning Kosciusko County Fair Queen, Stephanie Wilson. The new queen will receive A $1,450 college scholarship, several miscellaneous gifts and the entry fee and a wardrobe allowance for the state pageant.
The first runner-up, Danyel Ott, is the daughter of Steven and Cathi Ott, Winona Lake, and is studying social work and psychology at Indiana University. She received a $750 scholarship and other gifts. She also tied for the Miss Congeniality award.
The second runner-up was Annette Lamb, daughter of Bruce and Beth Lamb, Milford, who received a $500 scholarship. She plans to attend Purdue University to major in elementary education and minor in communications.
Third runner-up was Cheryl Grady, daughter of Mark and Denise Grady, North Webster, who received a $250 scholarship. At Purdue University she is involved in numerous activities and will be a junior majoring in elementary education with a kindergarten endorsement.
Ott and Erika Wilson tied for Miss Congeniality, the award voted on by the other contestants. Each will receive a $200 scholarship.
Other contestants were: Summer Boyd, Winona Lake; Terra Cook, Etna Green; Stephani Green, Claypool; Cassie Himes, Warsaw; Holly Kintzel, Warsaw; Jennifer McHose, Warsaw; Megan Singleton, Warsaw; Tracy Smoker, Warsaw; Kaitlyn Tom, Warsaw; and Ashley Woodward, Warsaw.
Erin Madden, the reigning Indiana State Fair Queen, was introduced as well as several queens from neighboring areas.
Emcees for the event were Queen Stephanie and Kevin Deardorff, executive vice president, Lake City Bank. Special music was provided by Queen Stephanie and Thomas Boyd singing solos and duets of songs such as "Unforgettable," sung during the evening gown competition, and a duet, "When I Fall In Love," while waiting for the final results.
The judges, who had a great deal of pageant experience, were: Kelly Dwyer, Allen County; Brian Reid, Male Model of the USA 2002, an area resident who previously worked and modeled extensively in California; and Kelly Rumfelt, Elkhart County.
The contestants were judged based upon individual six-minute interviews (40 percent), professional wear (20 percent), sportswear (10 percent) and formal wear (30 percent). The emphasis is on poise and presentation rather than beauty alone.
Sponsors of this year's event were: Bambi's Roofing, Beta Sigma Phi, DePuy, Grossnickle Eye Center, Kristine Healy, Kuert Concrete, Lake City Bank, Lavender Law Office, Medtronic Sofamor Danek, National City Bank, Nelson Beverage NIPSCO, Paul Kuhn Trucking, Penguin Point, Royal Crown, Warsaw Women's Center, Woodward Realty and Zimmer.
The pageant committee, headed by directors Nikki Hurley and Jamie Martin, includes Alyssa Bott, Angie Hostetler, Buni Leininger, Maria Oler, Barb Teel, Jim Teel, Becky Thomas, Sharon Wilson and Stephanie Wilson. All 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.
