Fair Queen Contestants Introduced at Banquet

CLEARFIELD – At Monday night’s 21st annual banquet, the Fair Queen Committee unveiled the 10 contestants who will vie for this year’s crown Sunday, Aug. 2 on the grandstand stage at the Clearfield Driving Park.

Because of his love for county fairs, Bob Swales, committee chairperson, said they extended an invitation to Attorney General Tom Corbett, asking him to speak at the ceremony.

Corbett thanked the attendees for their support of the queen contestants and in turn the importance of fair tradition. He indicated that he had traveled to 30 county fairs a year prior.

“I didn’t gain a pound,” he joked. In addition, he noted that he had his wife join him for her first fair experience.

He said that he offered his wife little warning and even allowed her to pick out a “beautiful pair of flats.” He said their occasion included a stroll though barns, and he later teased about her choice of shoes.

“If you haven’t seen a fair, go see it,” Corbett said, encouraging attendees to visit outside of Clearfield County’s own that is currently fifth largest in the state.

“You’ll see the same there (as here) – very good people. For some it is their life. Farmers do not get a vacation. Cows do not get a vacation. It’s a business and very important to state agriculture.”

Corbett noted that next year the Clearfield County Fair will celebrate its 150th anniversary. He said going back the same many years, the fair had to be the center of activity.

Corbett said that across the state this year, fairs will experience difficulty as a result of the current budget situation.

“But we must continue to support our fairs because it’s an intricate part of the state. Rural Pennsylvania is important and makes this state grow. Agriculture is a business and the number one business in the state,” he said.

He said that he enjoys his own fair visits, as it affords him the opportunity to witness how Pennsylvania has become an agricultural leader.

In closing, Corbett wished his best to the fair queen contestants.

“You represent the everyday person and a way of life. You not only represent your community and Clearfield County, but also the state,” Corbett said. “And, the winner should wear her crown with pride.”

Master of Ceremonies Bob E. Day, of radio station wOK!w, introduced this year’s contestants.

Joslyn Smeal, a graduate of the Curwensville Area High School, said that she currently attends Messiah College. She said that her studies are focused on criminal justice and psychology.

When asked by Day, she also told the attendees about her love for skydiving. She said the interest was sparked during a trip on which she jumped out of a “perfectly fine airplane.”

Carrie Flanagan noted her involvement with the philanthropy THON at Penn State-DuBois. She said that the dance participants are asked to stay on their feet for 48 hours.

She, however, survived 52 hours of dancing during the fundraiser. She said that she will chair next year’s THON fundraiser event at Penn State-DuBois.

Devon Lucas said that she currently is a student at the Clearfield Area High School and is set to graduate in 2011. She said that she plans to attend college and would like to be an attorney.

Before leaving the podium, Day inquired about her chosen career path. Lucas quipped, “I like to argue.”

Rachel Syktich, who was last year’s first runner-up, said she was a student at the DuBois Business College, where her career focus is executive assistant and agricultural management.

Day called attention to Syktich’s previous work on the DuBois Area High School yearbook staff. He indicated that she served as the business manager for a yearbook that has been the recipient of many national awards.

Syktich said the position came with both challenges and opportunities but was a beneficial experience.

Ashley Good said that she would be a junior at the Philipsburg-Osceola Area High School. She said that she was set to graduate in 2011 and has plans to join the Air Force.

Day asked the contestant about two hobbies – talking and texting.

“I never shut up,” she said with a laugh. “My friends and I get in trouble three for four times a class period.”

Day also asked if she had concerns with the troubles that texting has caused for teens.

“No, I already have carpal tunnel,” she joked.

Cassie Renaud said that she is currently a student at Lebanon Valley College, where she studies pre-law.

Renaud noted her prior involvement with Busted – a student organization at the Curwensville Area High School. She said that she worked with the organization to stop smoking among her cohort.

Halee Kephart said that she recently graduated from the Curwensville Area High School and will attend Lock Haven University – Clearfield campus for nursing.

Kephart said that in the future, she would like to own a farm or greenhouse. She said that she would like to grow her own produce due to their current exposure to harmful substances.

Misti Bruner said that she would be a senior at the Curwensville Area High School in the fall. She said that she has plans to attend college with interests in both biology and music.

Gabrielle Brennan said that she was a 2009 Summa Cum Laude graduate at the DuBois Area High School. She said that she has plans to attend college.

Day said that contestant Darcie Grenier was unable to attend the banquet.

Afterward, Leah Carr, current fair queen and state runner-up, said she couldn’t believe that she would give up her crown in less than a month. She also offered her advice to this year’s contestants.

“I sat in your shoes the last three years, and I’ll pass on the experience to the next queen,” she said.

She encouraged the contestants to learn about the ins and outs of the fair, agriculture and the Queen for Kids Program.

“It’s so much more than winning a sash and crown,” Carr said.