2013 Putnam County Fair Queen contestants: Part III

The 2013 Putnam County Fair Queen contest is quickly approaching.

The contest will take place on Saturday, July 13 at the Fairgrounds Community Building at 7 p.m.

Contestants will be judged on the basis of beauty, poise and personality, which will be determined in both preliminary personal judging and the public contest.

The winner will represent Putnam County in Miss Indiana State Fair Pageant.

This is the third of four features introducing this year's contestants.

Madison Marsteller

Nineteen-year-old Fair Queen contestant Madison Marsteller is the daughter of Mike and Renee Marsteller, from Greencastle. She has one brother, Zach, 25.

Marsteller graduated from Greencastle High School in 2012 and currently attends Purdue University.

In high school, she was a part of Putnam County P.I.E. Coalition, Putnam County Teen Court, FFA, FCA, school play productions, Spanish Club, Pep Club, SADD, Key Club, student council, NHS, junior leaders, cheerleading, cross country, basketball, track, swimming/diving. She is a 10-year 4-H member.

She is a member of the Delta Gamma Sorority at Purdue, and she participates in Purdue Anchor Splash, Argi-Business Management Blub, Purdue Block and Bridle, PASE and Paint Crew.

Marstellar plans to obtain a degree in agri-business from Purdue with a minor in ag communications. Her goal is get her masters and find a job with an agriculture company in marketing or communication field.

She decided to enter the contest because it has always been important to her and her family.

"My great-grandmother didn't miss a contest in 52 years," Marsteller said. "Even when she became ill, she still made it to the contest with her lawn chair and sat right in the front row."

She said entering the contest is something her great-grandmother wanted Marsteller to do, and it's something she can do in her memory.

Marsteller describes herself as very outgoing, active, social and energetic.

The best advice she could give a younger person is to always make good choices and never take anything for granted.

"Live in the moment because tomorrow is never promised," she said.

Marsteller's hobbies include swimming, working out, enjoying our family farm and spending time with friends and family.

The event in her life that had the greatest impact on her was losing her grandfather to leukemia. She said he taught her to never give up on her dreams and that being a little hard headed is not bad thing. He helped Marsteller start 4-H, and was also the reason she is so passionate about agriculture.

"Losing my grandfather showed me that we are not always promised tomorrow, and we all need to live each day to the fullest," she said.

The person Marsteller admires the most is her mother because she is the hardest working person she knows, and has been able to "deal with me for the past 19 years."

"She has made me the person I am today and has always pushed me to do my best," she said. "I couldn't ask for a better mother."

Katie Costin

Fair Queen contestant Katie Costin is an 18-year-old from Greencastle. She is the daughter of Ron and Gwen Costin and the sister of Lizzy, 14, and Dylan, 12.

Costin is a recent graduate of Greencastle High School. She plans to go to Ivy Tech in Greencastle for nursing.

She entered the queen contest because she wanted to meet new people and to have fun.

"I have always wanted to try out ever since I started in 4-H," she said.

Costin describes herself as a caring, a hard worker, outgoing smart and very organized.

Her hobbies include 4-H, hanging out with friends and family, and riding 4-wheelers.

The best advice Costin could give a younger person is to always try your best at everything.

"Also, life is full of disappointments but always keep your head up and don't let it get you down," she said.

The event Costin was impacted by the greatest was the death of her dad because it opened her eyes to live life the fullest and be grateful for what you have and know that everything happens for a reason.

She admires her grandpa the most.

"He is a very strong person that lets nothing get in his way, and he is also a very kind and caring, hardworking man," Costin said.

She also admires her mother because she is also hardworking and always puts her kids first.

Kallie Brattain

Kallie Brattain is the 20-year-old daughter of Kent and Kim Brattain of Greencastle. She has two siblings, Katey, 28, and Kalen, 25.

She graduated from North Putnam in 2012 and continued on with Avant Gard Cosmetology School.

In high school, Brattain was a part of FFA and varsity volleyball.

She was a 4-H member for 10 years, involved in National Junior Swine Association, Indiana Junior Swine Circuit, Certifed Pedigree Swine, Greencastle Christian Church, Girl Scouts and AAU Basketball.

Brattain decided to enter the contest because she has always admired the girls who have become fair queen and/or runner-up court.

"As a young girl, I regarded the position as a name, a crown, a fashion show and a beauty contest," she said. "As I have become older, I realize the position is more than a name and a crown. These individuals are friendly, personable, dedicated, respectable, loyal, hardworking and have become successful in life."

She describes herself as a compassionate individual.

Brattain's hobbies include learning how to hunt and living to show pigs.

The best advice she would give a younger person is to listen to your mother and father, who give proper advice and teaching about life, love and living. Be kind, courteous and giving -- always respect others.

Growing and living on a farm has impacted Brattain the greatest in her life.

"It has made me into the person I am today by teaching me how to work, respect, love and to teach others my love for pigs," she said.

Brattain admires her mom and her sister.

"They have taught me the importance of hard work and responsibility and how to love God," she said.