Seven compete for Fair Queen

CRESCO - Seven will be a very lucky number for one of the young ladies who is running for 2022 Mighty Howard County Fair Queen. 

The new queen will be crowned on Wednesday, June 22 at 5:30 p.m. at Scheidel Plaza Stage.

On June 15, the candidates will be judged and introduced at the Fair Board Appreciation Dinner that evening. 

The contest is sponsored by Howard County Fair Board.

Candidates include Sarah Anderson, Chyann Bullerman-Yu, Kayla Burke, Kelsey Burke, Sierra Hansmeier, Nora Ryan and Joey Vobr.

Sarah Anderson of Riceville is the daughter of Brian and Katie Anderson. She just completed her sophomore year at Riceville High School.

“I am involved in FFA, basketball, volleyball, Student Council, Travel Club, Yearbook and the food can drive.”

She belongs to FFA, student council, basketball and volleyball.

“Outside of school, I take part in farming, babysitting, volunteering at Shop on State, offer folks help around me — mowing, picking up sticks, gardening, picking rock, pulling weeds and designing t-shirts for organizations and sports at Runde Graphics.”

She has won two Sixth Man Awards, both for basketball, is on “A” honor roll and received the Greenhand Award in FFA.

“I enjoy basketball, volleyball and other sports, painting, making signs and t-shirt designs, fishing, hunting, reading, woodworking and landscaping.”

Sarah’s sponsor is Golden Heart Farms.

Chyann Bullerman-Yu of Cresco is the daughter of Casey and Cambria Sebastian and Dustin and Katy Yu. She just completed her sophomore year at Crestwood High School. 

She is involved in volleyball, wrestling, Yearbook, Student Council, HEROES and FFA.

“I belong to Diligent 4-H Club, Crestwood FFA and am a member of Notre Dame Parish.”

Outside of school, she is involved in Diligent 4-H Club and club wrestling.

She is currently secretary of Diligent 4-H Club and is also a past president of the club. She received a letter in volleyball her sophomore year and another letter for academics. She had the Champion Ewe Lamb in 2021.

“I enjoy fishing, kayaking, photography and traveling with family.”

Chyann’s sponsor is Evans Memorial Home.

Kayla Burke of Cresco is the daughter of Kenny and Christine Burke. She just completed her junior year at Crestwood High School.

She is involved in choir, cross country, track and FFA.

She belongs to 4-H, FFA, Catechist teaching — third and fourth graders and house groups.

When not in school, Kayla works at McAllister’s and Evans Memorial Home and works on her dairy and swine projects.

She has been recognized as a member of National Honor Society, high honor roll, 4-H vice president, works on Silver Cord hours, received an academic letter and received swine showmanship.

“I enjoy kayaking, biking, camping and spending time with friends and family.”

Kayla is sponsored by McAllister’s Catering.

Kelsey Burke of Cresco is the daughter of Kenny and Christine Burke. She just completed her junior year at Crestwood High School.

Her school activities include choir, FFA, track, musicals, speech and cross country manager.

Organizations she belongs to include 4-H, FFA , County Council and Faithful Followers.

Outside of school she is involved in 4-H, Prairie Lake Church house groups, Faithful Followers, church choir, swine program and heifer program.

Special recognitions include high honor roll, National Honor Society, academic achievement, FFA chapter secretary, president of 4-H club, section leader in choir, Iowa Degree in FFA, fourth at state for Ag Issues and Perception, Know Your Constitution finalist, Completed 80 hours of Silver Cord and lettered in FFA and track.

“I enjoy working with animals, working at McAllister’s Catering and Evans Memorial Home, kayaking, camping, throwing discus, singing, acting, competing in FFA contests and spending time with friends and family. 

Kelsey is sponsored by McAllister’s Catering.

Sierra Hansmeier of Cresco is the daughter of Jeremy and Denise Hansmeier. She just completed her junior year at Crestwood High School.

At school, she is involved in girls’ wrestling and girls’ track.

She belongs to 4-H, FFA, Notre Dame Church and Driftrunners Snowmobile Club.

Outside of school, she is part of 4-H, the Silver Cord program and is a junior high volleyball scoreboard helper.

She has been recognized for honor roll for both high school and college, top 14 at Girls’ State Wrestling, lettered in track and was recognized for swine showmanship.

“My hobbies include wrestling, fishing, snowmobiling, ranger riding, biking, farming, kayaking, baking and showing pigs at the fair.”

Sierra is sponsored by Alum-Line.

Nora Ryan of Cresco is the daughter of Jason and Sara Ryan. She just completed her junior year at Crestwood.

She is an active member of the Crestwood FFA chapter, where she participates in many contest and activities, including Red Cross Blood Drive, livestock contests, leadership contests and workshops, Ag Day, FFA District and FFA State. In addition, she is involved in speech, participates in the Silver Cord Program, is a Respect Retreat Leader for sophomore and freshmen students and represents Dollars for Scholars.

“I have been a member of 4-H since 2014, with the Space Age Farmers 4-H Club. I am also a member of the Howard County 4-H County Council. I am a varsity member of Large Group and Individual Speech, and a member of the Simmental and Angus Associations.” In addition, she is a member and officer of Crestwood FFA.

Outside of school, she is part of 4-H, County Council, FFA, FFA officer team, World Food Prize Iowa Youth Institute and Global youth Institute, Simmental Association, Angus Association and helps with FFA fund-raising. She currently works at Evans Memorial Home as a dietary aide.

Nora is the current 2022-23 Crestwood FFA chapter president and has sered as vice president and historian. She earned Greenhand, Chapter and Iowa Degrees in FFA, along with Outstanding Junior, Sophomore and Greenhand awards. She has received Top Merit Point and Top Seller for FFA Fruit Sales and was a member of the Ag Issues State Team. In addition, she is vice president of Space Age Farmers 4-H Club, and was president last year. She won Junior Goat Showmanship in 2015 and Junior Cattle Showmanship in 2016. She was selected to be a student representative for Dollars for Scholars and is an academic achievement letter winner.

“I love showing cattle, goats, chicken and rabbits at both the Mighty Howard County Fair and the Iowa State Fair. I enjoy helping my dad on our family farm. I like sewing and knitting and crocheting. I am an avid reader and enjoy reading a great mystery book. One of the my favorite hobbies is baking and cooking., however, I do not enjoy cleaning up the mess afterwards. I also like to spend time with friends and family.”

Nora is sponsored by Ryan Farms.

Joey Vobr of Cresco is the daughter of Eric and Melissa Vobr. She just completed the 10th grade at Crestwood High School.

She is involved in the high school swim team, large group speech, individual speech, choir, FFA, Student Council and Silver Cord Program.

She belongs to 4-H, FFA, youth group and church choir.

Outside of school, she participates in Northeastern Swim Team, 4-H, work, piano lessons and Cresco Swim Team.

For special recognitions, she has received All-State Speech Honor, FFA secretary and historian, swimming, youth athlete representative, National Society of High School Scholars and academic achievement award.

“I enjoy reading, writing, cooking, baking, learning about history and biking.”

Joey is sponsored by McAllister’s Catering.

The crowning of the queen will not take place until June 22. It will be announced on the Times Plain Dealer’s website and Facebook page, as well as in the June 29 issue of the paper.