Teel Chosen As Fair Queen

First, there weren't enough contestants for the Kosciusko County Fair Scholarship Pageant, so the deadline was extended and the contingent was raised from 10 to 19 girls in time for Friday night's event.

Then there weren't enough chairs for the overwhelming number of supporters who showed up to cheer the girls on, and organizers scrambled to accommodate them.

An estimated 250 people saw 18-year-old Jamie Elizabeth Teel crowned 1997 fair queen.

Teel, the daughter of Jim and Barbara Teel of Warsaw, was the picture of composure as she thanked the judges following her coronation.

"I will try to do my best to represent Kosciusko County at the State Fair this summer," Teel told the crowd. She will compete for the state title Aug. 16 in Indianapolis.

With no time to rest after becoming fair queen, Teel participated in parades Saturday at Silver Lake and North Webster and will have quite a hectic schedule during fair week, July 7-12.

Teel's duties included taking part in opening ceremonies and helping cut the ribbon kicking off the 1997 Kosciusko County 4-H & Community Fair.

Also, she will help judge the cutie queen and king contest and crown the winners of the annual talent show. She is required to attend all grandstand events, too.

As queen, Teel receives a $1,000 scholarship, a tiara, a trophy, a sash, a 1997 queen T-shirt and miscellaneous gifts. A 1997 graduate of Warsaw Community High School, Teel plans to major in communications at DePauw University.

First runner-up in the contest was Jennifer Marie Sorenson, 20-year-old daughter of Tom and Missy Sorensen of Milford. Her prizes include a $500 scholarship, a trophy, a sash, a 1997 first runner-up T-shirt and miscellaneous gifts. She is a 1995 graduate of Wawasee High School and is a student at Purdue University, where she is pursuing a bachelor's degree in early childhood education and intervention.

"Miss Congeniality," who is chosen by the contestants, was Layla Daniel Sellers, daughter of Peggy Sellers and Bill and Mary Beth Sellers of Warsaw. She receives a $200 scholarship, a trophy, a Miss Congeniality T-shirt and miscellaneous gifts.

All contestants receive T-shirts and miscellaneous gifts.

During Friday night's event, the contestants competed in two categories - sportswear and evening gown. The girls were previously interviewed individually by the three judges, with 50 points possible in that category. Sportswear accounted for up to 20 points and evening gown carried a maximun of 30 points.

The contestants also answered questions drawn from a fishbowl in front of the judges and audience.

1996 Fair Queen Janae Oler explained that the pageant is a scholarship pageant rather than a beauty pageant and provides an advancement in education through the awards. The interviews, which account for the largest single portion of the event, show off the young ladies' best asset, Oler said, "her brain."