On an evening when “Happy Happens Here” was the theme, one 10-year 4-H member fit right in.
Madelyn Steinwedel, a June graduate of Columbus East High School, beamed as she was crowned Bartholomew 4-H Fair queen during the annual pageant Sunday in Columbus North’s Erne Auditorium in front of about 350 spectators.
“I’m so excited. This doesn’t even feel real right now,” Steinwedel said as she posed for photos with her court.
Steinwedel is well known around the fairgrounds. She has shown sheep every year for the past decade, among other activities such as photography and animal science.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]Click here to purchase photos from this gallery
From the day she was born, the county fair has been part of Steinwedel’s life. With July 13 as her birthday, she has marked many of them at the fair.
“My family and I joke that the fair is my week-long celebration,” she said.
In tune with the “happy” theme, modeled after an Indiana State Fair slogan, Pharrell’s hit song “Happy” played as Steinwedel and the other 12 contestants danced into the auditorium and tossed beach balls into the audience, laughing and waving.
The pageant began with a business casual portion, where contestants thanked their sponsors, followed by an evening gown portion, where the young women answered randomly selected questions before the audience.
These questions, read by newly crowed Bartholomew County 4-H Fair Princess Chloe Krueger and runner-up Makena Jackson, ranged from the definition of integrity to their favorite childhood book.
Steinwedel was asked what was the best gift she had ever received. Her reply: Bugsy, her beloved ewe.
The girls were judged by a three-person panel from outside of Bartholomew County. After the judges finished deliberating, the contestants returned to the stage, each holding her breath in anticipation.
When her name was called, Steinwedel was met with loud applause from the audience.
She was crowned by last year’s queen, Alisha Adams, who said she is confident that Steinwedel will fall easily into her new role.
“I’m so glad it’s her. She has really blossomed, and she embodies the fair,” Adams said, face glowing as she congratulated her successor.
But the night’s biggest smile, of course, came from Steinwedel, her new crown glittering from atop her head.
“It still feels like a dream, like it never happened. I’m just so excited,” she said.
Judges look for applicants who are “articulate, poised, and have the personality to promote the Bartholomew County 4-H Fair and support the accomplishments of the 4-Hers,” organizer Annie Romine said.
This fair season, that responsibility falls to Steinwedel.
“I keep thinking about all the fun stuff I’ll get to participate in,” Steinwedel said. “Now that I have this added experience, every single day (of fair week) there’s something that I’m so excited about.”
Adams said that although she enjoyed her reign, she is looking forward to seeing Steinwedel interact with her court and with the children she meets at the fair.
“It’s a little bittersweet, of course. I’m so thankful for everything,” Adams said. “But I’m super excited to see how she influences the girls.”
Steinwedel agreed with Adams that the most important part of being fair queen is to be accessible to everyone, especially young girls who look up to the fair queen.
“You have to make them feel like they’re princesses, too,'” she said. “I want to make everyone make everyone feel like they know me a little bit, and know that I’m glad they’re there.”
Residents of all ages can meet Steinwedel during fair week at the Bartholomew County Fairgrounds, where she and her court will be posing for photos and attending events.
The Bartholomew County 4-H Fair runs July 6-14.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”The queen’s court” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
2018 Bartholomew County 4-H Fair queen: Madelyn Steinwedel, 18, IUPUC freshman
First runner-up: Taylor Smith, 19, University of Indianapolis sophomore
Second runner-up: Emma Wischmeier, 19, Purdue University sophomore
Third runner-up: Sarah Hayes, junior at Indiana School for the Deaf through Vincennes University
Miss Congeniality: Madison Engelau, Columbus East High School senior
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Madelyn Steinwedel” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Age: 18
City: Hartsville
Parents: Matthew and Jennifer Steinwedel
Education: IUPUC freshman
Activities/organizations: 4-H, National Honors Society, Youth Leadership Bartholomew County, Big Brothers Big Sisters
Hobbies/interests: Nannying, working with her sheep, going on spur-of-the-moment trips with family
[sc:pullout-text-end]
