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Madison Marsteller reigns as Putnam County Fair queen
The fair season officially kicked off Saturday evening with the crowning of the 2013 Miss Putnam County Madison Marsteller.
Marsteller competed alongside 11 other contestants for the title of Miss Putnam County this year. She, along with the four others in her court, took the titles home after Saturday night's events at the fairgrounds.
It was a moment of pure shock for Marsteller as she stood on the stage, not knowing what to expect as emcee Jamie France announced "contestant No. 5, Madison Marsteller" as the 2013 Putnam County Fair Queen.
"I definitely did not believe it," Marsteller said, reflecting on her name being called as the new queen. "Anyone could have had this crown and I'm very thankful."
Marsteller went from pure shock to laughing to nearly crying in a matter of minutes as the realization set in that she was the new queen.
"This experience has just been awesome," Marsteller said with a huge grin on her face. "I've met so many awesome girls. I am looking forward to just being at the fair."
Marsteller, the 19-year-old daughter of Mike and Renee Marsteller, is a 2012 graduate of Greencastle High School and currently attends Purdue University.
Marsteller and her court, which consists of Sabrina Arnold who claimed not only first runner-up but also Miss Congeniality, second runner-up Tatum Straziscar, third runner-up Sarah Woodworth and fourth runner-up Alicia Torr, will be present throughout the week of the fair.
Arnold probably had the biggest surprise of the night, walking away with not one but two titles. The girls participating in the queen competition voted for her as Miss Congeniality and was named first runner-up in the competition.
"This is probably one of my happiest moments," Arnold exclaimed. "This is definitely a huge perk of it being my last year at the fair."
Arnold is the 19-year-old daughter of Troy and Marsha Arnold of Fillmore. She is a recent graduate of Greencastle High School and is planning to attend IUPUI in fall to study dental hygiene.
Arnold is looking forward to participating in this year's goat show at the fair, where she will be showing her goats one last time. Arnold is also finishing her 10th year in 4-H.
She was excited about her two wins and was "so proud that they (other contestants) voted me Miss Congeniality."
Marsteller and Arnold will be joined at the fair by Second Runner-Up Tatum Straziscar, Third Runner-Up Sarah Woodworth and Fourth Runner-Up Alicia Torr.
Straziscar is the 18-year-old daughter of Sean and Kristy of Roachdale. The 2013 North Putnam High School graduate will attend Purdue University this fall.
Woodworth is the 18-year-old daughter of Becky Woodworth. The recent graduate from South Putnam High School plans on attending Purdue University this fall.
Torr is the 19-year-old daughter of Tony and Christy Cash and Mike Torr. The South Putnam High School graduate currently attends Kansas State University.
Other contestants included Kathryn Jean Welch, Jessie Lee McKean, Katie Lynn Douglas, Abigail Anne Gazvoda, Katherine Jo Costin, Kallie Elizabeth Brattain and Megan Renee Roach.
The year's Fair Queen Committee consisted of Natalie Pritchard, Beth Flint, Jenney Taylor, Raymond McCloud, Jennifer Porter, Kelly Hilburn, Julie Thompson, Makenzie Wright and Chelsea Hilburn.
The contest was sponsored by Eitel's Florist.
With the new queen and court taking the reins, Sarah New the 2012 Miss Putnam County handed them over with a few words of advice.
"The past year has been a dream," New said. "It was such an honor to represent my home as Miss Putnam County. It is truly a blessing I will never forget."