2013 Putnam County Fair queen contestants: Part II

Monday, July 8, 2013

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 of will represent Putnam County in Miss Indiana State Fair Pageant.

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

Jessie McKean

Jessie McKean

The 19-year-old daughter of Time and Donna McKean -- Jessie McKean -- is one of the Fair Queen contestants. McKean lives in Poland, and she has a sister, Kady, 17.

She graduated from South Putnam High School and plans to attend the University of Southern Indiana (USI) with a biology major and an education minor.

McKean's high school activities include 4-H, FFA, FCCLA, student council, NHS, Interact Club, Drama Club, Spanish Club, Jolly Juniors, Junior Leaders, PC Kids, Rabbit Club, Teen Awareness Club and varsity golf.

At USI, she will be in the honors program and biology club.

McKean plans to teach high school biology in a rural community after college. She said she also hopes to help her local 4-H club as an assistant leader. She wants to get married and adopt children

She's a member at Croy's Creek Congregational Christian Church, Christian Motorcyclists Association.

McKean entered the contest for the experience.

"They always say you regret more the things you didn't do," she said. "I want no regrets."

McKean describes herself as a hard-working, determined person, who loves to makes people laugh. She said she has been called intelligent and down to earth. She is also a creative, resourceful and enthusiastic.

Her hobbies include animals, scrapbooking, reading and yoga.

The advice she would give a younger person is that "God gave you two eyes and two ears but only one mouth so you should listen and look twice as much as you speak."

The event that happened in McKean's life that had the greatest impact on her was joining 4-H in third grade.

"From making friends to learning in my projects to discovering my passion for teaching in junior leader, 4-H has truly made me the person I am today," she said.

The person McKean admires the most is her grandma, Bessie McKean, because she is patient and caring.

"She is a true motivator and is always willing to listen and help not matter how tired or busy she is," McKean said.

Abigail Gazvoda

Abigail Gazvoda

The 18-year-old Fair Queen contestant Abigail Gazvoda is the daughter of Patia Gazvoda and Albert and Monta Gazvoda.

She recently graduated from Scecina Memorial this May and plans to attend Indiana State University and major in psychology and creative writing.

In high school, Gazvoda participated in track, basketball, varsity soccer, Creative Writing Club, Student Ambassador and 4-H.

She was also a part of the farmer's market.

In the future, Gazvoda would like to become an author someday.

She decided to enter the contest because she said she would be the perfect person to represent Putnam County.

Gazvoda describes herself as caring, athletic, responsible, driven and hard working.

Her hobbies include photography, creative writing, playing soccer, reading and farmer's market.

The best advice Gazvoda could give a younger person is to be yourself because no matter what people tell you, you are smart, beautiful and unique -- be yourself.

The event that had the greatest impact on her life was finishing the mini-marathon.

"It was such an accomplishment considering I am nowhere near a runner," she said.

Gazvoda admires the people like Oskar Schindler.

"People like Oskar go against what they are expected to do, and they do what is morally right," she said.

Katie Douglas

Katie Douglas

Fair Queen contestant Katie Douglas is an 18-year-old from Greencastle. She is the daughter of Alan and Becky Douglas, and she is the sister of Britney, 23, Ashley, 21, and Josie, 16.

She is a recent graduate of North Putnam High School. She will attend Ivy Tech in the fall where she will continue to work as a sales associate for AT&T.

Her high school activities include track, cross country, softball and FFA. She was also a 4-H member.

She plans to transfer to IUPUI in the fall for dental hygiene.

Douglas entered the contest from encouragement from her friends and family.

"They say I have a bubbly personality that I need to share," she said.

Douglas describes herself as a funny, outgoing, work oriented, motivated, dependable and bubbly individual.

Her hobbies include hanging out with her friends and family, camping and shopping.

The best advices Douglas could give a younger person is to set many goals and strive your best to achieve them.

"Also, don't be scared to make mistakes and always try to learn from them," she said.

The event that had the greatest impact on her life was being adopted by her dad.

"When I was 3, the man I consider my father today adopted me," she said.

Douglas said he has been the best male role model in her life.

"He has taught me right from wrong and has given me the tools to grow into the young lady I am today," she said.

Douglas admires her dad as well.

"He has the patience to live in a house with five girls," she said. "He has taught me to be myself and respect myself. He also gives the best advice and the best hugs."

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