Fair Talent Search Winners Announced

(FROM LEFT, JUNIOR DIVISION SECOND PLACE FINISHER ELIZABETH WEIDNER, SENIOR DIVISION WINNERS DAEJAH HAWTHORNE AND LINDSEY TIEFFEL, SENIOR DIVISION SECOND PLACE FINISHER COLE STUEMKE, AND JUNIOR DIVISION WINNER SOPHIE DETERS)

Lindsey Tieffel and Daejah Hawthorne of Effingham were named the Senior Division winners and Sophie Deters of Effingham was chosen the Junior Division winner at the Effingham County Fair Talent Search Saturday night at the fairgrounds at Altamont.

Lindsey and Daejah dueted on the song, "Brave", while Sophie soloed on "Don't Stop Believing". Elizabeth Weidner of Dieterich finished second in the Junior Division with a dance combo. Cole Stuemke of Altamont finished second in the senior division accompanying himself on guitar as he sang "Sweet Home Alabama". 

The crowd was also entertained by last year's winners, Lauren Siemer and Abby Hagen while the judges completed their deliberations.

The winners will perform at Tuesday's night Queen Pageant and will also compete at the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs Convention in Springfield in January. If they do well there, they could perform at next year's Illinois State Fair.

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Congratulations also to Marlee Nolen, who was crowned Junior Miss Effingham County in the pageant held following the Talent Search.

Marlee, the daughter of Matt and April Nolen, succeeds 2013 Junior Miss Libby Feldhake and will assist the Fair Queen in presiding over the remainder of this year's fair. There were 20 contestants in this year's pageant.