A college student who lists hunting and fishing among her hobbies has bagged a huge prize in her beloved community.
Brooke Short will reign as queen during the 137th Jennings County Fair, which is July 3 to 8.
Short competed with seven other candidates for the crown at a pageant at the Jennings County Middle School’s auditorium June 19.
“I am really excited to represent Jennings County next week at the Jennings County Fair and also at the (Indiana) State Fair. I just hope to do as good a job as Annie (Wall) did last year (as queen),” said Short, the daughter of Scott and Kristi Short.
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She competed in the queen pageant previously, and won the princess title in 2014 and Miss Congeniality in 2015.
Short will be a junior this fall at the University of Indianapolis where she is studying public health, gerontology and emergency management. However, her heart is in her home county.
“While being away at school, I realized just how much I missed and liked Jennings County,” Short said, adding that her dream is to work at the Jennings County Health Department.
Short and the rest of the queen’s court — the first runner-up, second runner-up, Miss Congeniality and the fair princess — will participate in several activities throughout the fair week, such as attending events and handing out awards. They also will participate in selected activities in Jennings County throughout the year.
Adrienne Gasper received the first runner-up honor. She is a student at Purdue University and the daughter of Jim and Alisa Gasper.
Abigail Burnside earned second runner-up. She is the daughter of Tim and Candice Burnside and a student at Jennings County High School.
Fellow queen competitors selected Mariah Grider as the recipient of the Charlene Z. Comstock Memorial Miss Congeniality Award. She is the daughter of Chris and Gennie Grider and will be a senior at Jennings County high School.
The pageant also included seven girls competing for the title of fair princess. Caroline McDonald won the title. She will be a freshman at Jennings County High School in the fall and is the daughter of Daniel and Christy McDonald.
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People who plan to attend the Jennings County Fair can save money on tickets for the midway rides if they buy them early.
The Jennings County Fair Board and Luehrs’ Ideal Rides, the midway vendor, are offering a reduced rate for those who buy tickets before July 4, the day the midway opens. The fair starts July 3.
A package of 22 tickets for $20 can be purchased through July 2. After the fair opens, the same package will cost $25.
Discount tickets can be purchased at Eric K Collision Center in North Vernon, Tailfeathers Farm Store in North Vernon and the Purdue Extension Service in the Jennings County Office Building in Vernon.
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