Henry County Fair Queen crowned following extra interview question

MT. PLEASANT — Henry County Fair Queen judges chose Kalayna Durr, of New London, as the 2023 fair queen, Wednesday night, after much deliberation.

Following an afternoon of interviews, formal wear presentation, and onstage interviews, the Henry County Fair Queen judges asked queen contestants to return to the stage for a second onstage question before making their decision.

Upon hearing the judges decision to ask a second question, Co-Director of the contest Kirsten Smith says she thought “ … We're already making history!”

“The thing is crazy, but it was for a good reason that they did it,” she said. “So, we completely understood.”

As a former contestant, Co-Director Kenna Smith felt like she understood what had to be going through the contestants minds at that moment.

“If I were in their position and I had to be held up for another question, I would have been like, oh, my gosh, what do I do?” new co-director of the queen contest Kenna Smith said.

“It was definitely nerve wracking,” Durr said of being called back on stage for a second question. “None of us expected it and it’s the first time they’ve ever had to do that. It was all so close!”

After returning to the stage contestant Abby Miller, of Winfield, answered the question “What does leadership mean to you?”

Rolling with the unexpected, Abby answered, “Leadership is someone who can understand both points of view and take into consideration other people’s opinions, but also take charge and tell people what needs to get done.”

Julie Campbell, of Mt. Pleasant, then answered what motivates her to put forth her best effort.

“The thing that motivates me the most and my best effort is probably my family,” she said. “Having younger siblings I want to set an example for them. Knowing I set myself up for these standards so they can strive to do as well as I.”

Before being crowned queen, Durr gave her insight on the most important thing she has learned from older generations.

“One important thing that I've learned from older generations is to definitely just put down your phone,” she answered the second onstage question. “Electronics are a big part of everybody’s lives nowadays. It’s important to just put down the electronics and focus on what is happening in that moment and be in that moment.”

“We wanted the judges to have every opportunity to be able to make this decision,” Co-Director Kelsey (Smith) DeWitt said. “The last question was exactly what they needed.”

With the second set of questions answered, judges Ellen Schlarmann, Kyle Molar, and Anne Bailey only deliberated for a short time before returning with their decision which crowned Durr as the 2023 Henry County Fair Queen, Abby Miller as the runner-up, Julie Campbell as Miss Personality Plus, Delaney Anderson as Junior Fair Queen, Jacie Campbell as Junior Queen Runner-up, Kara Campbell as Princess, and Veda Watson as Princess Runner-up.

“They’re all really well rounded,” Schlarmann said. “I think they each shine in different areas.”

“All the girls were very different and so diverse and shined in different aspects,” Judge Kyle Molar said.

“It was just really tough,” Judge Anne Bailey commented.

After receiving her hard-earned crown from 2022 Henry County Fair Queen Chevy Mills, Durr simply said, “It feels great!” with a large grin stretched across her face.

“Obviously we all had great chances,” she added. “It was never about winning it was just about being able to spend time with Julie and Abby and get to know them better … It was just an amazing experience.”

Durr looks forward to spending her time at the fair and showing her cattle and sheep while also fulfilling her new fair queen duties.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com