Lucky 13! Local girls contend for fair queen

CRESCO - One of the 13 Mighty Howard County Fair queen candidates will find the number very lucky when crowned on Wednesday, June 23 at 5:30 p.m. at Scheidel Plaza Stage.

It will be a tough call on which of the deserving young ladies will be chosen Fair Queen and Princess. They will be judged on June 16 and be introduced at the Fair Board Appreciation Dinner that evening. 

After the Fair was cancelled in 2020, this year turned out to be a record-breaker on the number of candidates. The next highest number of young ladies entering the contest was nine, in 2001, 1999 and 1991.

The contest is sponsored by Howard County Fair Board.

Hope Balk of Elma is the daughter of Kevin and Jackie Balk. She just finished her junior year at Crestwood High School. 

She is involved in individual speech, large group speech, color guard, football manager, yearbook, school magazine and choir.

She is an active member of the Howard County Flying Hoofs 4-H Club and HEROES at CHS.

“When I’m not in school, I am working at either CUSB Bank or the Cresco Theatre.” When not working, Hope is at practice for color guard or helping the football team in the fall and attending speech practices in the winter and early spring.

She was inducted into the National Honor Society and has three letters in football, two times academically and three times in speech. She has held the offices of historian, treasurer and secretary in 4-H.

“I love being outside with my dog, Gracie. I also enjoy being with my family. I love crafting, organizing, restoration projects, color guard and meditating.”

Hope’s sponsor is Featherlite Trailers.

Marissa Bronner of Cresco is the daughter of Rhonda Bronner. She will be a senior this coming fall at Crestwood High School.

She is a member of Crestwood FFA and serves as the chapter historian. “I compete in many leadership contests and place well. I participate in Madrigal every year and have been in choir since seventh grade,” she said. Marissa is on the cross country team.

“Although I have not yet graduated, I serve for the Iowa National Guard as a 15F, which is an aircraft electrician.”

She is involved in FFA, 4-H, cross country for the first year, shoots trap for Cresco Area Clay Crushers and is a member of Cresco Wildlife Club.

“I show and raise chickens and ducks and am planning to start an egg production business. I also show horses, dogs and a dairy heifer. I am very passionate about animals and plan on being a veterinarian,” she shared.

“I enjoy riding horses and training the two I own. I love being outside, whether that be fishing, relaxing or kayaking down the river. I enjoy spending time with my family, friends and animals. And most importantly I serve for God and my country.”

Marissa’s sponsor is Cresco Fareway.

Kayla Burke of Cresco is the daughter of Kenny and Christine Burke. She just completed the 10th grade at Crestwood High School.

She is involved in volleyball, choir, Food & Fitness, HEROES and Silver Cord. She is a member of 4-H and Faith Formation.

“I currently work at McAllisters and Sue-Z-Q’s. I enjoy going camping with my family and taking care of and showing my animals at the fair.”

She has been on high honor roll and vice president in 4-H.

Her hobbies include kayaking, biking, fishing, playing volleyball with friends and spending time with her dog.

Kayla’s sponsor is Harvey’s Northeast Iowa Service.

Morgan Drilling of Riceville is the daughter of Greg and Sheila Drilling, and she graduated this year from Riceville High School.

She participated in FFA,Travel Club, basketball, golf, pep, marching and concert bands, show choir, speech/drama, individual and large group and the Big Sister Program.

She has also been a member of 4-H, and Girl Scouts. 

She has been 4-H treasurer, FFA secretary and vice president, State and All-State Speech performer, Iowa FFA Degree recipient, ‘A’ Honor Roll, Kim Grimm Award and Larry Abel Courage Award winner.

Her hobbies include painting, going to concerts, spending time with her family, golfing, reading and playing with goats.

Morgan is sponsored by Riceville Girl Scouts.

Ashley Ferrie of Cresco is the daughter of Josh and Deb Ferrie and graduated from Crestwood High School in 2021. She has been involved in HEROES, National Honor Society, cross country, track and was a basketball manager.

She is a member of 4-H, FFA and her church youth group. Outside of school, she volunteers at her local church, has been at Catholic Heart Work Camp twice, attended Totus Tuus Camp, participated in youth group activities and works at Fareway.

Ashley is a member of National Honor Society, was assistant reporter and sentinel in FFA and received two academic letters, three cross country letters, two track letters and one choir letter.

For hobbies, she enjoys hanging out with friends, kayaking, going for walks, watching the stars, attending bonfires and camping. 

Ashley is sponsored by Arts Milling.

Audrey Ferrie of Cresco is the daughter of Nick and Katie Ferrie. She just completed her junior year at Crestwood High School.

She has been involved in color guard, choir, school musical, speech and solo-ensemble contest for choir.

She is a member of 4-H and county council and ushers at Notre Dame Parish.

Audrey is a member of Cresco Area Clay Crushers and is a student teller at CUSB Bank.

She has achieved National Honor Society membership, high honor roll and participates in the Silver Cord Volunteer program.

In her down time, she plays piano, sews, organizes, babysits, does woodworking, hunts and spends time at Round Lake.

Audrey is sponsored by CUSB Bank.

Sierra Hansmeier of Cresco is the daughter of Jeremy and Denise Hansmeier. She just completed the 10th grade at Crestwood High School.

She was a member of girls wrestling and Crestwood Speed & Strength.

She belongs to 4-H, FFA, Driftrunners and Notre Dame Church.

She volunteers for Silver Cord and works at Alum-Line.

She has been listed on honor roll, pitched a no-hitter and lettered as football manager.

Her hobbies include snowmobiling, biking, fishing, wrestling, golf and kayaking.

Sierra’s sponsor is Alum-Line.

Haylee Holten of Cresco is the daughter of Brent and Sarah Holten. She just graduated from Crestwood High School in 2021.

While in school, she was involved in Food & Fitness, National Honor Society, Silver Cord, girls golf, choir, yearbook and editor of the Salute (school magazine) for the 2020-21 school year. She participated in the Dollars For Scholars Phonathon her junior and senior years.

“Since graduating in May, I have kept myself busy by babysitting off and on for different families, working between both my jobs, golfing for the girls golf team and spending time with my family.”

In the fall, Haylee will attend Wartburg College in Waverly and major in biology. She will then attend Palmer Chiropractic School to become a chiropractor.

She has been an active member of 4-H and was on county council, serving as vice president. She has been secretary or her 4-H group for many years.

Haylee noted she was nominated by her church to be the student member of the call committee to locate a new pastor. She works at Fareway, is a shift leader at the Cresco Theatre & Opera House and babysits.

She is a member of National Honor Society, is on county council, secretary of Cresco Leaders 4-H Club and was chosen as one of Cresco Kiwanis Club’s Outstanding Seniors. In addition, she received multiple scholarships from Dollars For Scholars and lettered in golf and choir.

“In my free time, I enjoy photography, golfing, camping and spending time with my family and friends.  In normal times, I enjoy traveling, but with COVID-19, it has made it difficult to do so. I also enjoy volunteering whenever I can.” 

Some of her volunteer hours include Kiwanis Mother’s Day Brunch, Kiwanis tailgating at home football games, fair photographer, Art in the Park, Clover Kids and church.

Haylee is sponsored by H&S Motors.

Lyli Kunert of Lime Springs is the daughter of Justin and Lacey Newell. She just finished her junior year at Crestwood High School.

She is involved in color guard, large group speech, individual speech, solo-ensemble, choir and wrestling cheerleader.

She is a member of the 4-H Flying Hoofs Club, United Methodist Church Youth Group and Lime Springs Children’s Theatre Troupe.

Lyli has many interests outside of school, including volunteering at Lime Springs Library, Lime Springs Bible School, Chester Bible School, Chester Sunday School, Lime Springs youth softball, LSCTT and lifeguard at LeRoy, Minn. and Lime Springs pools.

Honors and special recognitions include distinguished academic achievement, Silver Cord, academic achievement award, state cheerleader award, speech letter award, National Honor Society, Kiwanis Student of the Month and high honor roll. 

Iowa State Fair awards include clothing participant, qualifier for clothing selection, qualifier for $15 clothing challenge, Share the Fun participant and qualifier for Share the Fun.

Awards won at the Howard County Fair comprise of Senior and Junior Poultry Showmanships, Poultry Best of Show, Champion Production Pen, Champion Bantam Male and Female and Champion Feathered Legged Male and Female.

Lyli is sponsored by D&E Carpet Sales — Bruce Speer.

Hailley Mittelsted of Cresco is the daughter of John Eimers and Michelle and Dave Ahern. She graduated from Crestwood High School in May.

She was involved in band, FFA, wrestling cheer, track and National Honor Society. 

She was a member of 4-H, GLOW, FFA, county council and ABATE of Iowa.

Outside of school, Hailley participated in dance, Upper Iowa Junior Cheerleader, 4-H, GLOW, Clover Kids and county council.

She was president of 4-H and county council and a member of National Honor Society, was a three-time academic letter-winner and three-time letter-winner in band and sports.

For fun, she enjoys reading, baking, camping, working with kids and animals, working out, coloring and spending time with her family.

Hailley is sponsored by Kessel Kids.

Aubrey Orth of Riceville is the daughter of Trent and Kim Orth. She is a May graduate of Riceville High School.

Over the years, she has been involved in student council, basketball, track, cheer, volleyball, Big & LittleBrother/Sister Mentoring Program and speech.

She belongs to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church youth group, St. Peter’s mission group, FFA and National Honor Society.

Outside of school she works at Trader Joe’s and plays basketball. 

Special achievements of Aubrey’s include NHS president, student council president, salutatorian, Kim Grimm Award in basketball, KIMT Scholastic All-Star, Iowa Star Academic All Conference Award in social science, Academic All-Star in basketball, State speech — individual and group, National Guard Scholar Athlete and Senior Class President.

Her hobbies include hiking, reading, listening to music, traveling and exploring, golfing, kayaking, walking her dog, Teddy, camping, swimming, amusement parks, shopping, trying new foods and geo caching.

Aubrey is sponsored by Dollar Fresh — Cresco.

Ashley Reicks of Cresco is the daughter of Dean and Lisa Reicks. She just finished her junior year at Crestwood High School.

Activities she participated in at school include boys basketball manager, speech, musicals, student director for junior high musicals, solo-ensemble, volleyball, Silver Cord and choir.

She is a member of 4-H (one year), secretary (one) and president (three); secretary, reporter and president of FFA; and youth committee representative for county council.

Outside of school, she has participated at Lime Springs Bible School, Lime Springs softball, Cresco Community Theatre and Lime Springs Pool.

Special recognition in FFA includes Outstanding Junior, Greenhand Degree, Chapter Degree, silver rating for ETA group, lettered three times and fifth place merit points.

In addition, Ashley earned All-State recognition in speech, most devoted junior for speech, lettered in speech, volunteering with Silver Cord and National Honor Society.

At the State Fair, she was an alternate and attended twice for Share the Fun, considered for two photo and nominated for welding and won a blue ribbon.

She has received blue ribbons for group presentation, visual arts, photo (six), Working Exhibit, presentation, home improvement, horticulture, market barrow (two), commercial gilt (two), photo challenge (two), Group Share the Fun, $15 clothing challenge and clothing selection.

When Ashley is able to find time to have fun, she enjoys kayaking, camping and spending time with family and friends.

She is sponsored by McAllisters Catering.

Hannah Suckow of Cresco is the daughter of Mark and Heather Suckow. She just completed the 11th grade at Crestwood High School. 

She is involved in trapshooting and is a retired FFA officer.

Besides FFA, she is involved with her youth group at church.

Outside of school, she supports her brother’s racing hobby and works.

Special recognitions for Hannah include assistant secretary and assistant reporter for FFA. She also received Outstanding Freshman and Sophomore in FFA. She received third place honors for senior girl at the Turkey Valley Trapshooting Invitational.

For fun, she enjoys hunting, ice and open water fishing, racing, trapshooting, four-wheeling and snowmobiling in the mountains.

Hannah is sponsored by Cole Suckow Racing.

The crowning of the queen will not take place until June 23. It will be announced on the Times Plain Dealer’s website and Facebook page, as well as in the June 30 issue of the paper.