Each of the eight contestants was asked an impromptu question and the judges picked the top five candidates. The five contestants were asked, one by one, the same question: This year’s fair theme is “The 70th fair. The legacy lives on. The best is yet to come.” What is your fair legacy and what do you think is yet to come for the Clark County Fair?
This was the most stressful part of the competition for Schilling.
“The most nerve-racking part of the contest was being the last person in the room before the final question and thinking of all the questions they could ask me,” she said.
But when it was finally her turn, Schilling had an answer ready.
“I feel that my fair legacy would be all that I’m involved in with Junior Swine Committee, Junior Fair Board, and my pigs in general,” Schilling said. “And I feel like the Clark County Fair has a lot of expansion in its future.”
The queen’s responsibilities include going to all the different shows, reminding people of upcoming events, and countless other duties during and after the fair.
Schilling hopes to be a good role model: “I hope when I do go to those shows, I represent the fair well.”
Lea Kimley, the 2016 Clark County Fair Queen, crowned Schilling and passed along her title.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will be over in the blink of an eye,” Kimley said to the contestants in her farewell speech. “Take every chance you get and run with it. Because when you finally get the hang of it, you’ll be standing on stage passing on your crown.”
“I’m ready to go out and do my queen duties!” Schilling added.
The first runner up and recipient of the Community Service Award was Madison Wones, a 2016 graduate of Shawnee High School.
The second runner up was Madison Donnelly, a 2017 graduate of Northeastern High School.
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