INDIANAPOLIS
– Miss Indiana State Fair 2007 is Nicole Renee Harris,
the daughter of Chuck and Karen Harris of Markle, Indiana. The 19
year-old is a freshman at Bethel College majoring in American Sign
Language and is the first representative of Wells County to reign
as the Indiana State Fair Queen in the 49-year history of the contest.
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Miss
Indiana State Fair 2007
Nicole Harris of Wells County
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A graduate of Norwell High School, Miss Harris
was active in cheerleading and show choir, served as the Student Council
secretary and freshman mentor, and was a member of the National Honor
Society, graduating with a High Honors diploma. She also participated
as a mission trip team member to South Africa, Romania, Vietnam and
India.
In her free time, Nicole likes to read, travel,
and listen to music. She also enjoys dancing, singing, leading worship,
aerobics, jogging and bike riding.
The new queen was crowned by her predecessor,
Bailey Hoover of Pulaski County who reigned over the 2006 state fair.
Miss Harris will visit approximately 35 county
fairs, festivals and queen pageants in June and July next summer promoting
the 2007 Indiana State Fair before serving as the Official Hostess
of the annual event, August 8-19.
The new queen was selected from among 86 other
contestants at the Pepsi Coliseum at the annual pageant held on the
last day of the fair, Aug. 20. Pulaski County was represented at the
pageant by Sarah Nies.
“I am very surprised that I won,”
Miss Harris said. “There was so much talent and so many different
goals among all the county queens. I am just honored to be the 2007
Miss Indiana State Fair Queen.”
As the 2007 winner, Harris receives, among
her awards, a $1,000 cash prize, a $1,000 wardrobe, a tiara and a
trophy.
The Queen’s Court is as follows:
* 1st Runner-up – Abby Caroline Bergman, Miss Tipton County
* 2nd Runner-up – Kirstyn Marie Wehsollek, Miss Madison County
* 3rd Runner-up – Elizabeth Ann Haywood, Miss Hamilton County
* 4th Runner-up – Cassandra Ann Screeton, Miss Fulton County
Other top 10 finalist’s included (in no
particular order):
* Kendra Suzanne Ellington, Miss Elkhart County
* Nicole Kathleen Mohr, Miss Decatur County
* Brianne Christine Dubuque, Miss Wabash County
* Jessica Lynn Howell, Miss Jay County
* Abigail Mary Haan, Miss Clinton County
Miss Congeniality: Kendra Suzanne Ellington,
Miss Elkhart County
In an interview with the Indianapolis Star
following the pageant, outgoing queen Bailey Hoover said the next
year for the new queen "will be the most exciting year of her
whole life."
Hoover also told the Star one of the most significant moments
of her reign was when she saw people's reaction to her as queen. "It
was kind of cool to realize (little girls) look up to me," she
said.
Although she enjoyed her year as queen, Hoover
said it's time she pass the crown.
"I'm just ready to take a break . . . to sit on the couch and
eat potato chips for a while," Hoover said.
