Taking their Thrones

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Amber McNelis of Morris receives her sash from Carissa Schumaker of Seneca after being named the 2009 Grundy County Fair Queen following the pageant Thursday evening at the Grundy County Fairgrounds in Morris. As the reigning Queen, Schumaker awarded this year’s winners with their crowns. (Herald photo by Heidi Terry-Litchfield)

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Poise and pageantry go hand in hand, according to the young women vying for the title of Miss Grundy County.

As each of the four contestants spoke about what the three points of the crown meant to them; poise was a common theme.

Stacy Sanders one of the three pageant directors said participating in the pageant brings about poise but also give the girls other skills they will use throughout their lives.

“It definitely helps them with interview skills,” said Sanders. “They learn how to speak in public as well with poise and diction.”

Sanders has been involved with the pageant for 16 of the 22 years it’s been held during the fair.

“You see some of the junior misses come in and sit like a boy in their dresses,” she said. “When they leave there is a big difference.”

The reigning 2008 queen Carissa Schumaker of Seneca was present to pass her crown to one of the four girls competing for the title of 2009 Miss Grundy County.

Each of the four contestants went through an interview phase prior to the evening’s show where they competed in swim suit and evening gown attire as well as participated in a question and answer session where they were asked what they would do to modernize the fair.

Melissa Mantia of Dwight won Miss Photogenic and was the third runner up, Heather May of Mazon was second runner up, Kaitlyn Wilkinson of Mazon was first runner up, and this year's queen is Amber McNelis of Morris.

“I was really surprised and excited,” said McNelis right after her win.

This was McNelis’ second year competing in the pageant.

Six girls competed during the pageant for the title of Junior Miss.

2008 Junior Miss Mackenzie Granby was on hand to pass down the crown to the winning contestant.

Each girl performed in the opening number where they put on a dance in their matching red pageant t-shirts before donning their formal gowns.

Each girl told what was unique about them from one who participates in races to another who is a talented gymnast.

Heather Weyker of Channahon was Jr. Miss Photogenic, Summer Shaw of Morris was second runner up, Courtney Kenyon of Channahon was first runner up, and the 2009 Junior Miss is Clarissa Wignes of Seneca.

“This is my first pageant,” Wignes said. “I was ecstatic when they said my name.”

She said the favorite part of the pageant for her was giving her speech.

“I was really nervous to get in front of people but I was outgoing and confident,” she said. “The interview was what I was scared about but it was easy in the end.”

2009 Little Miss contestants each stood on stage and recited a fact about Grundy County, including the fact that Abraham Lincoln stopped in Morris on his way to Ottawa to debate Douglas.

2009 Little Miss Photogenic was McKenna Montgomery, Lauren Cueller of Morris was second runner up, Mikayla Norris of Morris was first runner up, and the 2009 Little Miss is Jacie Punke of Morris.

“I was excited when I won,” said Punke. “My favorite part was wearing my dress.”

Punke said she didn’t think she could win.

“The scariest part was not knowing if they would call you,” she said.

Six girls and four boys competed in the Prince and Princess contest.

Landen Venecia of Verona was crowned prince and Lilah Montgomery of Morris was crowned princess.

Sanders said the winners and runners up will be around the fair grounds over the weekend and will participate in various activities including handing out ribbons.

They will also be at the Grundy County 4H fair and will promote agriculture in the area.

“Our queen will also participate in the Miss Illinois State Fair pageant,” said Sanders.

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