Last week was a thriller for Syracuse native Paige Geer.
The 19-year-old, crowned the Kosciusko County 4-H Queen July 9 in Pierceton, is enjoying the long week she has had since the conclusion of the pageant.
Geer has not been involved with pageants for very long. She had only participated in the summer 2008 at the Mermaid Festival Queen of Lakes Pageant. She did not place in the competition. While it may have been discouraging, a conversation with close friend Kristen Krizman helped make the decision to pursue the 4-H crown.
"One of my best friends was the reigning Queen (Krizman). She said I should do it, so I did it and I won," Geer said.
It is a huge surprise for Geer, being that it was only her second pageant.
The build up to the pageant has been exciting for Geer. From registration to meetings, and dresses to having nails and hair done, the excitement was overflowing.
"Just preparing for it was really exciting," Geer said. "It pumped me up and gave me adrenaline for the pageant."
Amidst the competition, there were no rivalries; rather, bonds were developed to form friendship among the contestants.
"The court and I have become a lot closer," Geer said. "It's awesome because you get to spend so much time with them."
During the judging process, Geer was not sure how well she was received after answering a few questions. She says a few of her responses drew a few laughs, at which point she did not know what that meant for her.
"I asked the other girls, 'Did they kind of laugh a lot?' and they said no, so I did not know if it was a good thing or a bad thing," Geer said.
What helped her get through the questions was telling herself to remain true.
"I just wanted to be myself. You can't be anyone else. Just say what you think, not what you think they want to hear," she said.
It was quite a week for the newly crowned queen. In the first half of the week, she put in 12-hour days. Activities ranged from greeting people at the fair to watching pageants for girls in younger age groups.
Outside of the pageant, Geer is quite active as a student. She is double majoring in psychology and communication with a minor in business at Indiana University in Bloomington. She is also involved with the Student Alumni Association, the largest student organization on campus.
Geer opened herself to sororities, rushing during her first year. She did not pursue in joining one after deciding that it was not for her. However, she may choose to rush again at the start of the fall semester as she intends to go to law school after completing her undergraduate studies. She says the purpose would be to add on to her resume for when she does apply.
Geer also has a passion for reaching out to the community. She has volunteered at the Syracuse Food Pantry as well as Combined Community Services in Syracuse for many years on and off. In high school she participated in a school-wide food drive for the pantry, but she started even sooner when she was in the eighth grade and worked with her mother at the pantry.
"I really, really enjoy helping people in that way," Geer said. "Just knowing that you're helping people is great."
Since May, everything has been a joy for Geer. She says that she will pursue the Miss Kosciusko County crown, but will not be able to for another two year after a new fair queen is crowned. Still, she remains focused on now.
"It's been quite a ride," Geer said. "More may come up, but I'm just going to focus on this year."
With this experience, Geer also hopes that this can translate to greater things in the future."It makes you feel good," Geer said. "It has changed me in a way that I could be more involved."
In July 2011, Geer hopes that the next Queen also keeps true to herself.
"Stay confident, stay yourself," Geer said. "Remember that you are representing the county. Be there at the fair, because people enjoy seeing you there."
