A time to shine

First day brings annual coronation

Published Thursday, March 27, 2008

By Brandon Evans

It was a big night for the Youth Fair at the Decatur Civic Center Monday as three queens and runners-up were crowned.

Sarah Kaz of Paradise was named FFA Queen and Ishley Elmore of Decatur was runner-up, Andrea Martinets of Bridgeport was named 4-H Queen with Sydney Lawrence of the 4-H Horse Club as runner-up and Amanda Williams of Boyd was named FCCLA Queen with Laura Nordman of Paradise the runner-up.

The young women will assist judges and contestants throughout the Youth Fair. The queens will hand out awards during the entire week.

The spot for 4-H proved to be very competitive as nine young women vied for the title of Wise County 4-H Queen. Six tried out for FCCLA Queen and five competed for the title of FFA Queen.

Contestants were chosen on how they presented themselves, their list of personal accomplishments and how they answered a randomly selected question given to them on stage.

The three women serving as judges were brought from outside the county in order to make the judging as impartial as possible.

The stage featured a Parisian theme. It contained a collection of white trees and small-scale versions of the Eiffel Tower, all covered in twinkling, white lights.

The ceremony was officiated by Susan Williams, the queen's contest coordinator and a Wise County Youth Fair board member.

"Each of them is already a winner," Williams said of the contestants. "They wouldn't be here if they weren't."

Each contestant represented a different chapter of 4-H, FCCLA or FFA, ranging from all across the county.

The contest had three intermissions which featured the singing of Jennifer Ward, a sophomore at Alvord High School. During the first intermission Ward sang a heart-wrenching rendition of Josh Groban's "You Raise Me Up."

Ward dedicated the song to her cousin Jackie Murphree. Murphree remains in a coma after her vehicle was struck by a drunk driver last August.

"Little presenters" Rosie Stevens and Tanner Petrie, both second graders from Alvord Elementary, were dressed to a tee. They helped distribute awards to the new court.