Grundy County Fair Queens announced

MORRIS – Depending on the age and seriousness of pageant contestants, weeks to months of preparation culminated Wednesday evening at the 2015 Miss Grundy County Fair Queen Pageant.

Contestants took the stage at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in gowns in front of family, friends, judges and an audience of observers.

The 2015 Miss Grundy County Fair Queen Award went to Madison Schlegel of Channahon, who won more than $1,000 in cash prizes, a tiara, sash, gym membership and a trip to the state pageant from the Grundy County Fair Board.

“I’m ecstatic and honored,” Schlegel said after winning. “I’ve been in the pageants the past four years, and always wanted to be queen.”

Schlegel went to Joliet West High School and is attending DePaul University in the fall, where she plans to major in communications. She hopes to be a news anchor.

“This process will help me with my confidence and communication,” Schlegel said.

During her speech, Schlegel talked about her experience at Joliet West, when as an upperclassmen, she spoke to troubled incoming freshmen and had a heartfelt experience with a parent appreciative of her help.

Up next, Schlegel will appear in the Small Town Theatrics performance of “Mary Poppins,” July 24 to 26 at Coal City High School Auditorium.

The title of Miss Grundy County Fair Queen was determined based on an evening gown and swimsuit competition, speech and pop a question, and a private interview session.

The 2015 Junior Miss Grundy County Fair Queen Award went to Mikayla Norris, who won cash and gifts total more than $100 along with a tiara and sash. Norris also carried home the best stage presence title in the category.

The 2015 Little Miss Grundy County Fair Queen Award went to Lillian Vantassel, who won $75, tiara and sash, a trophy and gift. Vantassel is 8 years old and from Channahon. She said her parents tell her she has expensive taste, as she took the stage presence category.

The 2015 Princess Award went to Reese Schumaker, who practiced walking around the house in heels quite a bit, her mom, Felicia Schumaker, said. Before the pageant, her mom thought each of the four contestants had a good shot at winning.

But Schumaker, who also earned the title of Best Stage Presence and Best Smile in the group, had a key to victory.

“I think her twirl at the end of her walk sealed it,” Felicia Schumaker said.

Felicia Schumaker, who said it was an awesome feeling to see her daughter win the first pageant she entered, didn’t teach her daughter the trick.

“She did it on her own,” said Felicia Schumaker, whose sister was 2008 Miss Grundy County Fair Queen Carissa (Schumaker) Faletti.

The 2015 Cutest Baby Award went to Naya Garza, who was also awarded Best Personality, while the other contestant, Sawyer Jandora, was given Best Dressed. Parker Barry, the lone Prince contestant, won the 2015 Prince Award.

The Cutest Baby, Prince and Princess won sashes and crowns. Prizes were given to first and second alternates in the Miss Grundy County, Junior Miss and Little Miss categories.

Five former pageant queens were in the audience and honored during the show.