Seven girls compete in Jefferson County queen contest

The Greater Jefferson County Fair’s queen contest will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the show arena at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Fairfield.

Seven local girls are competing to be the 2021 Fair Queen: Hannah Simpson, Kelsie Bohrn, Kylie Martin, Airianna Taylor, Chayse Gilchrist, Makenzie Dahlstrom and Madison Meixner.

Hannah Simpson is the 17-year-old daughter of Scott and Selina Simpson of Fairfield. She attends Fairfield High School where she participates in softball and basketball. In softball, she has received the honor of being a two time All Stater, three time All Conference player and broke the batting average record as a freshman. Hannah volunteers for youth basketball camps and tournaments and participates in the mentor program at Fairfield Middle School. She is a member of the Future Forgers 4-H Club. She enjoys fishing, riding 4-wheelers, shopping and being with friends and family. She plans to further her education and a softball career playing at the collegiate level. She would also like to pursue a degree in dentistry. Hannah’s sponsor is Hadley Heating and Air of Richland.

Kelsie Bohrn is 18 and the daughter of Mike and Cindy Bohrn of Packwood, is a 2021 Pekin graduate. Kelsie participated in volleyball, chorus, was a mentor to 1st graders and participated in the Stem project. She earned her Silver Cord, student of the month awards, the Susan Presley and a Pekin Community Scholarship. In her community, she is a volunteer for VBS, the Richland library and helped with fundraisers at Woolsen Friends Church. Kelsie is a 4-H and FFA member showing livestock at the county and state fair. Her hobbies include camping, fishing, jigsaw puzzles and drawing. She plans to attend Indian Hills Community College this fall, studying under the accounting assistant program. Kelsie’s sponsor is Barb’s Produce and Jams of Packwood.

Kylie Martin, 17, daughter of Todd and Lisa Martin of Libertyville, enjoys kayaking, golfing, singing and volunteering in her spare time. Her school activities include being a varsity golf team member, serving on the student council, Vox choir, is a basketball manager and is a mentor. She is a member of the Future Forgers 4-H Club where she serves as president. Kylie enjoys being a vacation Bible school youth leader. She has won the All Conference Academic award twice and was inducted to the National Honor Society. After completing high school, she plans to attend Iowa State University and major in Kinesiology. Then later, she will pursue a career in sports medicine. Kylie’s sponsor is Libertyville Savings Bank of Fairfield.

Airianna Taylor is the 16-year-old daughter of Nick Taylor and Joyce Taylor of Fairfield. In school, she participates in Vox choir, swim manager, cheerleading, flags, speech and bowling earning an All Conference award. In her community she is a volunteer for the WELL, her church’s VBS program, Sondheim Center and works in the concession stand. Airianna is on the straight A honor roll and has earned student of the month and principal’s award. She plans to finish high school and then go to college for 6-8 years to get a master’s / bachelor’s degree in speech pathology and work with kids teaching them how to speak. She enjoys baking, painting, cosmetics and camping. Airianna’s sponsor is Hy-Vee in Fairfield.

Chayse Gilchrist, is the 16-year-old daughter of Robert and Niki Gilchrist of Fairfield. In school, she participates on the cheer team, dance and drill team and on the flag team. Chayse is an assistant at High Temperature Dance Academy and helps teach Bible school at the Fairfield First Baptist Church. She has received awards in dance which include Advanced Dancer of the Year for High Temperature Dance Academy and was a Title Winner for multiple dance competitions. Chayse enjoys airsofting and watching football with her dad, hanging out with friends and family and dancing. After high school, she wants to go to college and major in dance and minor in business to then open her own studio. Chayse’s sponsor is Hometown Sears, Gavin Hammes of Fairfield.

Makenzie Dahlstrom, is the daughter of Shawn and Jill Dahlstrom of Packwood. She is 17 years old. Her school activities have included basketball, track, FCCLA; serving as Vice President, quizbowl, Iron Chef, diversity club, dance team, Spanish club, speech and drama and served as student council Vice President. Makenzie served on the Iowa School Board of Education Equity Committee as chairperson and belongs to Grace Family Church Youth Group. Her honors include National Honor Society, QuestBridge College Prep Scholar and was named to the honor roll every quarter. She enjoys running, reading, bowling with friends and going on walks. Makenzie plans to attend a 4 year college to further her education with a desire to go into computer engineering. Makenzie’s sponsor is Dahlstrom Farm of Packwood.

Madison Meixner, 17, daughter of Jim and Amber Meixner of Packwood participates in volleyball and in FFA. serving as the secretary and vice president. She has earned her FFA Greenhand degree. She participates in the Iowa Beef Bonanza serving on the board and is a member of the IJBBA, Ia and National Jr Angus, Chianina, and British White Cattle Association serving as board secretary and a member of the Heartland Youth Show Lamb circuit. Madison has received various awards and scholarships within these organizations. After finishing high school, Madison plans to attend Indian Hills majoring in animal science and then open a dog boarding in Jefferson County. She likes to raise and show both cattle and sheep. Madison’s sponsor is Thomas Veterinary Clinic of Ottumwa.