Harbison, Hilburn, Oliver look to become 2011 Fair Queen

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Ten young women from across Putnam County will compete for the title of Miss Putnam County on Saturday, July 16 during the Putnam County 4-H Fair Queen Contest. The contest is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. in the community building at the Putnam County Fairgrounds.

Admission is $3 per person.

Danielle Harbison, Chelsea Rose Hilburn and Katherine Oliver are the next three contestants seeking the crown.

Danielle Harbison

Danielle Harbison

Danielle, 18, lives with her parents Bruce and Julie Harbison in rural Roachdale. She has one brother, Dalton, who is 20 years old.

A recent graduate of North Putnam High School, Danielle was a member of the softball, volleyball and track teams. She has also been involved with the Working Farmers 4-H Club in Bainbridge.

Danielle will attend Ball State University this fall.

"I plan to graduate Ball State University with a bachelor's degree in nursing. I would like to work at a local hospital and raise my family in Putnam County," Danielle said.

She describes herself as positive, compassionate and always smiling.

"I decided to enter the contest to sum up my 10th and final year in 4-H," Danielle said. "I also entered the contest because I wanted to try something I knew I would be uncomfortable with to make myself a better and more well-rounded person."

Danielle's hobbies include showing sheep, knitting, fishing, swimming, playing guitar and spending time with friends and family.

Advice she would give to a younger person is "stay positive always and treat others with respect and kindness."

It's a lesson she has learned being on the wrong end of others' comments.

"Being a petite person, others like to make comments that are hurtful towards that," she said. "It honestly helps me in the long run. It has made me extremely humble and I never cut anyone down because I know how it feels."

Danielle did not choose one person she most admires, instead expressing her admiration for her entire family.

"They all have given me great advice and stuck by my side my whole life. Each of them members of my family have contributed to who I am today."

Chelsea Rose Hilburn

Chelsea Rose Hilburn

Chelsea is the 18-year-old daughter of Jim and Kelly Hilburn of Bainbridge. She has one younger brother, Isaac, 16.

The 2011 North Putnam graduate was active in cheerleading, SADD, FCA and the yearbook staff. She is also a 10-year 4-H member as well as Bainbridge Christian Church and Thrifty Farmers 4-H Club.

Her future plans are to attend Avant Garde School of Cosmetology and one day open her own salon.

"I have always admired the past fair queens and knew one day I wanted to enter the contest myself," Chelsea said.

Chelsea's hobbies are shopping, photography, racing with her family, spending time with friends and interning at Styling Station. She describes herself as loving, caring, outgoing and very social.

Her advice for younger people is to believe in themselves.

"You can always achieve what you want by always believing in yourself," Chelsea said.

She said the death of a close friend's mother, Rose Hilburn, had a great impact on her.

"It has taught me to always appreciate having my mother here with me for special events in my life," Chelsea said.

She also describes her mother as the person she most admires.

"She has made me who I am today. She has gone through a lot in her life and always gets through it by never giving up."

Katherine Oliver

Katherine Oliver

Katherine Oliver, 18, is the daughter of Rick and Lana Oliver of Bainbridge. She is the youngest of four children -- Rickie Oliver, 31, Nicole Marsh, 28, and Ross Oliver, 20.

The 2011 North Putnam graduate participated in dance in high school. Other memberships include the Hannah Street Baptist Church and the Holstein and Jersey organization.

She plans to attend Indiana State University and study nursing.

"With my degree I hope to enter the medical field to make a difference in the lives of people who need help," Katherine said.

First she will round out her 4-H experience by competing in the queen contest.

"I decided to enter the contest to add to my 4-H experience and to go out with a bang," Katherine said.

Her hobbies include jazz, ballet, pointe and modern dance.

"I view myself as a really caring person because no matter who you are I will take the time to help people if it is wanted," Katherine said.

Katherine encourages younger people to be themselves no matter what is going on around them.

"God makes all of us different and equal but never gives us more than we can handle," Katherine said.

She said the death of her grandfather had a great impact on her life.

"The greatest impact making me the person I am today is when my Papaw Oliver passed away. It taught me to take one day at a time and to cherish the people God has put in my life because we are never guaranteed tomorrow," Katherine said.

Katherine most admires her parents.

"Living on a family-owned dairy farm has changed my life. It has taught me no matter the weather, how you feel or other activities, animals come first because unlike us they can't care for themselves."

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