Dear Potential Contestant:I invite you to compete in this year’s Adair County Fair Queen Contest! Please find enclosed the questionnaire, quick facts, entrance contract, contestant information sheet, checklist and additional information. I will need your completed Questionnaire, Contract & Quick Facts by July 1st. You will receive more information after your entry is received. As always if you have any questions or need help in your preparation you can call me at any time. You can reach me @ 641-743-6297. I look forward to working with you!Sincerely, Shirley Meisenheimer, Coordinator

Adair County Fair Queen Contest

CONTESTANT CHECKLISTEntries are due July 1st. The items below must be dropped off at the Adair County Extension Office on the square or mailed to Shirley Meisenheimer, 2093 265th Street, Greenfield, IA 50849 to arrive by JULY 1st. Do not wait! I would like your paperwork as soon as possible so that I have time to prepare documents for the judges.

Contestant Questionnaire—May Attach Extra Pages – See sample included.

Contestant Contract—Signed

Quick Facts

Each contestant will compete in the following competitions and should wear the noted attire.

Thursday, July 12th: Personal Interview, 2 Minute Short Answer Interview, Group Discussion and Stage Introduction —Job Interview Attire (Trendy/Youthful dress or skirt)

Wednesday, July 18th: Queen Crowning --Formal Wear (Prom Dress)

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Adair County Fair Queen Contest

CONTESTANT INFORMATION

Schedule and Attire Required for each Event:

Interviews: Interviews will be conducted before and during the Fair Kickoff in the 4H FFA Center on July 12th, arrival time will be sometime in the afternoon (you will be notified of the timeline as soon as we know the number of contestants). The interviews will last ten minutes, there will be two or three judges, and their questions for the most part will be based on your fact sheet—KNOW YOUR COUNTY!

2-Minute Short Answer Interview:The short answer interview is a 2-minute interview where the judges will ask a series of pre-determined questions. Each contestant will receive the same questions in the same order.

Group Discussion:The contestants will be arranged in a semi-circle and given topics (one at a time) to debate/discuss between one another. The judges will be present to observe and judge contestants. They are not to be addressed in any way. This is a time for the contestants to discuss current events or other youth related issues. This competition may sound a bit strange but most contestants feel it is the most relaxed and fun portion of the competition. Contestants must not interrupt each other or argue!

Sportswear: Contestants will wear casual attire of their choice. Outfits can be anything from casual dress pants and good jeans to shorts and summer dresses. Just be tasteful. No mini skirts, midriff tops or holey jeans.

Formal Wear: You will need to wear a tasteful formal. Prom dresses are great for this competition.

If you are crowned the Adair County Fair Queen:You must make numerous appearances at the fair, hand out awards, compete in the Iowa State Fair Queen Contest in August, ride in parades, and return to crown the new Adair County Fair Queen. If for some reasonthe winner cannot fulfill her duties, the 1st runner-up will become the Adair County Fair Queen.

I want to help in any way possible, please feel free to contact me: 641-743-6297.Thanks again for your participation and cooperation; I wish all of you the best of luck.

Thursday, July 12th: Personal Interview, 2 Minute Short, Group Discussion and Stage Introduction —Job Interview Attire (Trendy and Youthful dress or skirt)

Wednesday, July 18th: Queen Crowning --Formal Wear—Prom Dress

Adair County Fair Queen Contest State Rules and Regulations/Local Entrance Contract

1. Each contestant must be at least 16 years of age and not more than 21 years of age on the first day of the Iowa State Fair in this given year. I confirm that I am within these ages .

2. Contestants must never have been married or been pregnant.3. A county fair queen must reside in the county she represents or an adjoining county if the majority of her activities are in the county she

represents (i.e. School/4-H). I confirm that I reside or most activities are in Adair County.

4. Each contestant should be an active member of at least one organization in her community such as a school club, church/church group, Girl Scouts, 4-H, etc. (Eligibility is NOT limited to 4-H or FFA membership)

5. Each entrant in the State Fair Pageant must be selected from a competitive queen contest at her county fair. If an Iowa fair does not have a contest, it may sanction another queen contest in their county as the “Official County Fair Queen Contest.” The winner of this is theneligible to compete at the Iowa State Fair.

6. Only winners as indicated under Rule #5 are eligible to represent counties at the state pageant. In the event the county queen is unable to participate, alternates will be considered in order of selection.

7. No professional model (one who has had ongoing employment in which modeling was the primary part of the job) is eligible to competein the state pageant.

8. Any contestant who has competed at State Fair Finals may not compete again.9. Any county fair queen selected after last year's state fair and meeting the above qualifications is eligible for the following year’s pageant.10. The Iowa State Fair will accept only one entry per county. Should there be more than one queen contest in the county, it will be the

responsibility of the fairs concerned to hold an elimination contest. The only exception to this rule will be in those counties where more than one fair qualifies for membership with the Association of Iowa Fairs. In those cases both fairs will be eligible to submit candidates forcompetition.

11. The county fair queen will be the guest of the Iowa State Fair Tuesday, August 7th through the time of the crowning on Saturday evening, August 11th, 2018. it is the responsibility of the contestant to make arrangements for transportation to and from Des Moines. The Adair County Fair Board will pay the $350 entry fee for the Iowa State Fair contest. The fee includes four nights lodging for the queen only, admission fees, meals, local transportation, programs and the crown, sash and a keepsake for the queen. Additional expenses will be the queen’s responsibility. If you would like to see what is required at the state level, please ask!

12. The Iowa State Fair will provide a sash and crown for each county fair to award their queen at the county fair. This must be worn whenshe appears at the Iowa State Fair and is included in the entry fee requested by each county fair.

13. County fairs are requested to select their candidates by competition in which personality, leadership, and beauty are judged.14. At the State Fair, a competent committee will select the “Iowa State Fair Queen”. Judging will be based on the following: personality,

attitude, appearance and awareness, leadership and citizenship, contribution to community, overall appearance, charm, and poise.15. Each contestant should be prepared to appear in a variety of dress such as street dress or suit, evening dress, and casual wear.16. The winner of the state pageant will be crowned, the “Iowa State Fair Queen.” The queen will be required to remain at the fairgrounds

for the remaining time of the fair.17. The winner of the state pageant must agree to appear for the Iowa State Fair Board in official capacities as requested throughout the year

until her successor is crowned. The same is true at the local level.18. If the winner cannot reign until a new queen is crowned at the next years fair, she must forfeit her title and all awards associated with it to

the first runner-up. She may then accept the title and awards of the first runner-up. This is also true at the local level.19. The winning contestant at the Iowa State Fair must agree to accept no other queen titles nor endorse any commercial product as “Iowa

State Fair Queen” for a period of 12 months following her crowning without the written permission of the Iowa State Fair Board. At the local level she may compete for other titles with permission of pageant director but cannot appear as the “Adair County Fair Queen” unless the fair board or the pageant director grants permission.

20. The winning contestant (state) will receive all the prizes at the time of the finals with the exception of the $300.00 savings bond. This bond will be presented to her after the next queen is crowned. The local scholarship can be requested when a successor is crowned.

21. Should the reigning “Iowa State Fair Queen” marry or become ineligible before her successor is crowned, she will forfeit her title, crown and rights to the scholarship/savings bond and other awards to the first runner-up, etc. Same is true at local level.

22. The Adair County Fair Board and the Iowa State Fair Board reserves the right to change and interpret the foregoing rules and regulations at any time as may be deemed expedient.

26. The Adair County Fair Board and Queen Contest abide by the rules set aside by the Iowa State Fair Board, anyone not abiding by theseregulations will be immediately disqualified.

27. Signing of this document states that you have read and understand these state/local rules and regulations and are officially a contestantin the Adair County Fair Queen Contest.

28. The Adair County Fair Board and the Adair County Fair Queen Contest/Director(s)/Volunteers are not liable for any damaged or stolen property throughout this event.

Please sign and date this contract as an official contestant of the Adair County Fair Queen Contest. If under 18, please have a parent/guardian sign and date this document as well.

___________________________________________________ _______________ Contestant’s Signature Date

___________________________________________________ _______________ Parent or Guardian’s Signature (if under 18) Date

24. The Adair County Fair queen is expected to attend daily fair activities. A listing of highly suggested appearances during the Adair County Fair will be given to the candidates upon request and to the new queen after crowning. County Fair Royalty are expected to represent the Adair County Fair in Adair County community celebration parades following the fair (September – Orient Pumpkin Days; June – Stuart Good Egg Days; July – Casey Fun Days; Adair Jesse James Days).As an Adair County Fair Queen candidate, we expect you to be fully committed to the competition. You will be asked during judging if you will be able to fully commit to the responsibilities of being the County Fair Queen, including full participation in the Iowa State Fair Queen Competition. Approval for schedule change requests at the state fair will be very limited. In order for a queen to get the most out of the experience at the state fair competition, they must be there to attend all aspects of the competition. The State Fair Queen Competition can be a very meaningful experience, but only if the queen can fully participate!

25.

1. SCHOOL ACTIVITIES (list leadership positions):2. COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES (list leadership positions):3. HONORS WON:4. HOBBIES:5. PLANS FOR THE FUTURE (Give details of coming year and five years from now):6. Essay (200 words or less): What does being the Adair County Fair Queen mean to you

and what does the Adair County Fair mean to our community? In addition, tell ushow you could best represent Adair County at the Iowa State Fair by being selectedthe Adair County Fair Queen.

Contestant Name: Address: I can most likely be reached at (phone): time of day: Email: Parent/Guardian: Age (1st day of ISF): Major (college): Current GPA: Grade (fall): School (fall):

Adair County FairQueen Contest QUESTIONNAIRE(see sample for format)

Adair County FairQueen Contest

QUICK FACTS

Contestant Name: _________________________________________

What are three words that describe you?

What do you like to do in your spare time?

What’s your life’s dream or ambition?

What’s your life’s philosophy?

What prompted you to compete for this title?

What do you hope to get out of this experience?

List Siblings and Ages:

What are your scholastic and career goals?

What are your community and volunteer activities?

Other interesting facts?

Are you employed? If yes, where and what is your role?

SAMPLE PAPERWORK! CONTESTANT QUESTIONNAIRE

SCHOOL ACTIVITIES (List leadership positions):

Student Government – Senior Class President, Junior Class Vice President

FFA (7-12) – President, Vice President, & Secretary

FFA Livestock Judging Team (9-12)

Volleyball (7-12) – Team Captain

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES (List leadership positions):

United Presbyterian Church & Youth Group Member

4-H (4-12) – Club President, Vice President, Secretary, Historian & Photographer

Louisa County Beef Committee Member & Assisting with 4-H Beef Weigh-In

Volunteer Work: Muscatine Soup Kitchen, Lions Club Breakfast, FFA & NHS Blood Drives, FFA Auction,

Youth Basketball Camp and Keep Columbus Beautiful

Employment: Lifeguard

Contestant Name: Gina RhinehartAddress: 2219 Law Road, Greenfield, IA 50849 I can most likely be reached at (phone): 641-231-1111 time of day: any Email: ginarhinehart@yahoo.com Parent/Guardian: Jake & Freda RinehartAge (1st day of ISF): 18Major (college): undecided Current GPA: 4.0Grade (fall): College Freshman School (fall): ISU

HONORS AND SCHOLARSHIPS WON IN SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY:

Academic:

Co-Valedictorian. 4.0 Honor Roll (7-12) Governor’s Scholar Award IFAA Winner’s Circle Scholarship

FFA:

FFA Star Greenhand, FFA Greenhand, Chapter & Iowa Degrees Livestock Judging Team –Pork Congress, 12th Overall Individual & 3rd Overall Team

Athletic:

Volleyball – Team Captain, 3 Year Letter Winner, 2nd Team All-Conference

Basketball – Team Captain, 4 Year Letter Winner, 1st Team All-Conference, Coaches’ Choice All-Star Team &

MVP, SEISC All-Star Team

Track – Team Captain, 4 Year Letter Winner, 3 Year State Qualifier

Softball – 5 Year Letter Winner, 1st Team All-Conference

Other:

Miss Leadership County Fair Queen Miss Personality County 4-H Queen

HOBBIES: While I have participated extensively in competitive athletics and enjoy reading, my passion over the last nine years has been raising, working with and showing cattle. I have always had a love for agriculture and being able to show my calves throughout the state and region has been a truly amazing experience.

PLANS FOR THE FUTURE (coming year and five years from now—goals, work, school, etc.): I have been accepted into the Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences where I intend to

double major in Animal Science and Agricultural Communications. After college, I look forward to working as a livestock feed nutritionist. However, I am also interested in journalism and public relations, which is why I decided to double major in Agricultural Communications. In addition, I would like to earn a master's degree in some aspect of the agricultural field.

ESSAY – Please explain, in 200 words or less, What does being the Adair County Fair Queen mean to you and what does the Adair County Fair mean to our community? In addition, tell us how you could best represent Adair County at the Iowa State Fair by being selected the Adair County Fair Queen.