Fair Queen profiles Day No. 2

Thursday, July 3, 2008

JAMIE BARRAND, Editor

Seventeen young women from across Putnam County will vie for the title of Miss Putnam County on July 12 at the Putnam County 4-H Fair Queen Contest.

The contest will be held in the community building at the Putnam County 4-H Fairgrounds. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m., and the contest will begin at 7 p.m. Admission is $3 per person.

Here's a look at the contestants who will be competing for the crown.

Heather Nipper

Heather, 16, lives in Roachdale. She is the daughter of Danny and Barbara Nipper, and is entering her junior year at North Putnam High School.

She has three older brothers, David Brookshire, David Nipper and Jason Nipper.

Heather would like to attend Purdue University when she graduates from high school. Her future plans include becoming a veterinarian and a professional horse trainer.

Heather is active in Future Farmers of America. She has been the treasurer for that organization since 2007.

She is a member of the American Quarter Horse Association and the Indiana Quarter Horse Association.

Her reason for entering the queen contest, she said, was "To have a new experience, to have fun -- it'll be the highlight of my summer -- and to make new friends."

Heather described herself as talkative, outgoing and an animal lover. Her hobbies include attending horse shows throughout the year.

"When I was younger I did nine years of ballet, so I love to dance," she said.

Heather's advice to younger people is "Don't be shy … always ask when you need help."

The event that has had the biggest impact on Heather's life thus far was buying her horse.

"It opened new doors, leading me down paths that without her I wouldn't be the person I am today," she said.

The person Heather most admires is Kimber Plemons.

"She has shown me things and helped me through things I would never have gotten through myself, and in the horse world it's always said the child will listen to anyone but their parents," she said. "She's the one I turned to and listened to."

Erica Pickens

Nineteen-year-old Erica lives in Greencastle. She is the daughter of Tracy and Michele Pickens and has a younger sister, Paige.

Erica graduated from Greencastle High School in 2007. She is a sophomore at the University of Evansville, where she is studying accounting. She plans to attend graduate school after college to become a Certified Public Accountant.

During high school, Erica was a yearbook ad representative. She was a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Pep Club, cheerleading squad and dance team.

Since entering college, she has become a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. She is a volunteer for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and is a member of the Accounting Club.

She is a past 10-year 4-H member and Junior Leader. She belongs to the National Junior Swine Association and Greencastle Christian Church.

Entering the queen contest was about staying active in 4-H for Erica.

"Since I have finished my 10 years, I feel that entering the contest will allow me to keep creating 4-H memories and friendships that will last a lifetime," she said.

Erica said she "can be a girly-girl at times, but I'm not afraid to get knee-deep in the pigpen."

"I also just love to make people around me happy," she said.

Erica's hobbies are helping her sister with 4-H and cheerleading, having girl's nights out with friends, collecting purses and scrapbooking.

The best advice Erica has to offer those younger than her is, "You were born to shine. Now, whether that means putting your glitz and glam on or just setting your mind to something is up to you."

Although going away to college has been hard in some ways, Erica said it has impacted her life in positive ways.

"Going to a college that is far away with no friends or family, I have stepped out of my comfort zone and expanded my horizons."

Margo Thomas was the person Erica cited as who she admired most.

"Even after losing both her daughters, she stayed strong and showed everyone that even after a tragedy one can still overcome all life's obstacles," she said.

Megan Robertson

Megan, 18, is the daughter of John and Kelly Robertson. She just graduated from North Putnam High School, and plans to attend college in the fall to pursue a degree in early childhood education.

She has a younger brother, Jacob.

During high school, Megan was involved in FCCLA and Students Against Drunk Driving. She was a class representative and was active in Putnam County Teen Court. She was a member of High School Heroes and the Area 30 Student Council.

She is a member of the Putnam Pride 4-H Club and Putnam County 4-H Junior Leaders, where she has served as co-secretary and president.

She entered the queen contest for a couple of reasons.

"(It was to) honor my commitment to my friend Megan Criss and myself," she said. "Also to have fun ending my 10-year 4-H career."

Megan described herself as friendly, cheerful, kind, caring and a good listener.

Her hobbies are computer chats, going to the movies, reading good books and spending time with family and friends.

Her advice to younger people is, "Don't wait until your senior year of high school to work on your GPA … start from your freshman year. Listen to your parents when they tell you to study."

The death of Vonda Hipsher, a family friend, is the event that has impacted Megan's life the most significantly so far.

"She passed away of cancer almost five years ago," Megan said. "Even when she battled cancer, she still had a strong faith in God and loved life. She was an inspiration to me."

Didi and Jerry Robertson are the people Megan admires most.

"They lost their firstborn baby in October 2007, but they believed God had a better plan for Gabby," she said. "They stayed strong and supportive to each other and their family and friends. Their love and commitment is something I admire and hope to have one day in my own life."

Jessica Robinson

Twenty-year-old Jessica resides in Greencastle. She is the daughter of Roger and Tracy Robinson and has an older sister, Kathleen Reinoehl.

Jessica graduated from Greencastle High School in 2006. She is a junior at Indiana State University, where she is a marketing major.

In high school, Jessica was a member of the Greencastle High School Classics choir group. She was a cheerleader and belonged to the Pep Club, Spanish Club and Key Club. She was a member of the swim team and was involved in theater.

Since high school graduation, she has become a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority and Phi Theta Kappa honor society.

Through the queen contest, Jessica would like to make new connections.

"I believe that the queen contest will be a great way to make memories, as well as meet more girls from the county and form new friendships," she said.

Jessica said she is energetic, fun loving, caring, compassionate, friendly and hard working.

Her hobbies include spending time with family and friends, spending time with her two cats Pepper and Dusty Rose and her two Brittany Spaniels Maddie and Perdy, as well as singing, swimming, collecting sea shells and working in the nursery and children's church at her church.

Her advice to those younger than her is to concentrate on studies.

"Pay attention to and work hard on your grades at an early age," she said. "It's never too early to start preparing for college and life. Always have a positive attitude and wear a smile; it will make your life so much happier."

Jessica is a young woman of great faith.

"The event that had the greatest impact on my life was when I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior," she said. "My salvation continues to shape me into the person I am today."

Jessica admires her parents.

"In today's society, it's a challenge to keep a family together as a whole, especially when couples get married young," she said. "My parents were married when my mom was only 19, and 28 years later they are still very much in love. My parents have taught me to follow my dreams. They taught me that if a door should ever slam in my face to find the open window and go through. My parents are great Christian people who have always loved me unconditionally. They have taught me what true love really is."

Kathryn Trigg

Kathryn, 18, of Greencastle is the daughter of Tim and Lisa Trigg. She has three younger sisters, Corrine, Kennedy and Carissa.

Kathryn graduated from Greencastle High School this past spring. She will attend Indiana State University in the fall, where she plans to "get a degree in art education and animation and hopefully get a job doing what I love."

During high school, she was a member of the cross country, track and volleyball teams.

She entered the queen contest as a way to have new experiences, "have fun and learn new things."

She said he is a "happy-go-lucky person." Although she is shy at first, Kathryn said she is very talkative once she gets comfortable.

"I seriously think I could win an award for talking," she said.

Kathryn's hobbies include art, softball, writing and scrapbooking.

Her advice to younger people is to "Defy conformity. Be original and think outside of the box."

The thing in her life that has influenced Kathryn the most thus far was joining the cross-country team in sixth grade and remaining in the sport through high school.

"It taught me endurance, to never give up," she said.

The person Kathryn admires the most is her grandmother.

"She's lived through happiness and heartaches for 80 years, making her a very wise and strong person," she said.

Crystal Van Arsdale

Crystal is 18. She is the daughter of Cecil and Christina Van Arsdale and lives in Greencastle. She has a sister, Brandi.

Crystal is a 2008 Greencastle High School graduate. She plans to attend International Business College.

At GHS, Crystal was a member of the soccer and track and field teams. She was in the Reading Club and was a teaching assistant.

Outside of school, she has been involved in 4-H, Poetry Club and Summer Reading Club.

She entered the queen contest for a few reasons.

"I thought I could represent Putnam County well," she said. "I feel as if I'm a good role model, and it's a lot of fun."

Crystal described herself as creative, organized, hard working, light-hearted and fun loving. Her hobbies are softball, soccer, volleyball, 4-H, reading, cooking and being with friends.

Her advice to younger people is simple.

"Find out who you are, become who you want to be and don't let anyone stop you," she said.

Crystal's faith is an important part of her life, and she couldn't choose a single event related to it as the one that has impacted her the most.

"It is more like a chain of events, but church has had the deepest impact on my life," she said. "It has helped to shape and reinforce my strong moral beliefs, and has taught me to be confident but humble."

Shayna Wall

Shayna, 17, is entering her senior year at Cloverdale High School. She is the daughter of Scott and Sherri Wall.

At school, she is active in women's ensemble and bowling. She is nine-year 4-H member. She has been a member of the student council and the French Club, as well as GGUSBC Bowling for 11 years. She was a Supreme Exhibitor at last year's Putnam County 4-H Fair.

She plans to go to college and study photography.

She entered the queen contest to "meet new people, to represent my county, and to have fun."

Shayna said she is "very diverse, understanding and all-around fun." In her spare time she enjoys hanging out with her friends, taking pictures, bowling and surfing the Internet.

Her advice to younger people is, "Think before you act."

The thing that has impacted her life the most is "Being an only child … learning how to get along by myself and be self-reliant."

The people Shayna admires the most are "All my true friends who have always been there."

Whitney Warren

Whitney, 18, is the daughter of Ron and Tricia Warren. She lives in Reelsville, and is a 2008 South Putnam High School graduate. She has a younger brother, Cody.

Whitney plans to attend Butler University and enroll in the pre-physician's assistant program.

In high school, she was on the tennis and golf teams. She belonged to the Spanish Club, Future Farmers of America, National Honor Society and the Senior Academic Team, and was the football stat girl.

She has been in 4-H for seven years.

She entered the queen contest to help her prepare for other events in her future.

"The program that I hope to get into in college requires an interview, and I thought this contest would be good practice for that," she said.

Whitney's hobbies include shopping with her best friend Chelsea, playing tennis, going to car shows with her grandparents and "doing random dances with my girls."

Her advice to younger people is, "Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game. In other words, don't give up on your dreams just because you are afraid you may fail."

Whitney holds fast to strong faith.

"The event that has happened in my life that has had the greatest impact, making me the person I am today, is my decision to become a true follower of Jesus Christ," she said.

She most admires the Christy family, because of "their continuous faith in the Lord throughout all their hardships."

"Seeing them so positive has taught me to always have faith in God and to never giver up," she said.