New Junior Miss, Talent Show Winners on Saturday at County Fair

A new Junior Miss was crowned and talent show winners were decided during Saturday evening activities at the Effingham County Fair.

The new Junior Miss is Kailynn Moeller, daughter of David and Angie Moeller. Kailynn was crowned by retiring Junior Miss Marlee Nolen. Kailynn will serve as Junior Miss for the balance of this year's fair.

Other honorees from Saturday: 1st Runner up--Josie Byers, daughter of Shane and Angie Byers...2nd Runner up--Elizabeth Weidner, daughter of Matthew and Jennifer Weidner, who was also recognized for selling the most tickets to the event...3rd Runner up--Leah Brummer, daughter of Joe and Tina Brummer, who was also named Miss Congeniality by her fellow candidates...4th Runner up--Hallie Wallace, daughter of Brent and Wendy Wallace...People's Choice--Emma Hewing, daughter of Bill and Sarah Hewing...Best Intro--Savanna Barnes, daughter of Steve and Kathy Barnes...Best Interview--Dalanie Bell, daughter of Jay and Judi Bell...and Best Canister--Marissa Lonngren, daughter of Ricky and Kim Lonngren.

There were 19 candidates in this year's Junior Miss Pageant.

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There was plenty of talent among the 10 contestants in this year's Effingham County Talent Search.

Madison Fear, who did a dance routine, was the Junior Division champion, with Kailynn Moeller the second place finisher. You might remember she was named the fair's Junior Miss later that evening. Kailynn earned second place with a vocal performance of "Someone Like You". 

Reagan Keck won the Senior Division with a vocal performance of "Pressure". Jake Schumacher finished second with a performance of "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue".

Other Junior Division performers were Violet Wendling and Laney Gossett, while the other Senior Division performers were Hayden Rensner and Emma Lagerhausen, Claire Webb, Andrew Moeller, and Katie Courson. Rensner and Lagerhausen performed a juggling act, while the others performed vocal numbers.

The crowd also enjoyed performances by last year's Senior Division winners Lindsey Tieffel and Daejah Hawthorne and last year's Junior Division winner Sophie Deters.

This year's winners have the opportunity to compete in January at the State Fair Convention for the right to perform at next year's Illinois State Fair.