There will be nine candidates to be the Miss Marion County Fair Queen in the pageant next Tuesday night.
They are Makaela Draege of Odin, Kailey Brubaker of Salem, Sara Timm of Iuka, Abigail Smith of Salem, Delaney Kell of Salem, Sophia Schossler of Centralia, Brylee Dukes of Centralia, Hailey Knox of Odin, and Ciara Cain of Patoka.
One of the pageant directors, Karlie Coffey, says the theme of this year is Rock, Role, and Rhinestones.
“Starting the first week of June we met with the girls, gave them the summer schedule. We meet once a week for practices and the girls are always so great. At the practices, we are on stage they are learning turns, walking in their high heels on the stage learning all that fun stuff. One thing people don’t realize is that we are teaching them communication skills. They do mock interviews all summer.”
The winner on Tuesday night will replace 2021 Marion County Fair Queen Maggie Telford.
There will also be 20 Little Miss candidates at the Tuesday night pageant. There are 20 seeking the Junior Miss Title that will be held on Thursday at the Fairgrounds. Another 20 Little Miss candidates will be part of that program.
Here is some background on each of the queen candidates:
Contestant #1
Makaela Draege-Odin
Makaela is the daughter of Adam and Elisabeth Barlock of Odin and David and Mary Draege of Carlyle.
After receiving her Bachelor’s Degree Makaela plans to begin teaching in a school-specific for special education children. While teaching she plans to continue school to get her Master’s Degree.
Makaela is sponsored by Ashlee Wethington Photography, Odin Healthcare Center, Iron Saddle Ranch, and Goldman Properties.
Contestant #2
Kailey Brubaker-Salem
Kailey is the daughter of Bryan and Amy Brubaker of Salem and Derrick and Roseann Brandt of Sandoval.
Kailey will be attending Kaskaskia College in the fall. She will continue her education at a four-year university to obtain a bachelor’s degree in education. After receiving her bachelor’s degree she plans to begin a career in education, specializing in middle school math.
Kailey is sponsored by J.Lane Boutique and Tony Smith at Iuka State Bank.
Contestant #3
Sara Timm-Iuka
Sara is the daughter of Jason and Jennifer Timm of Iuka.
Sara is currently a Senior at Oakland City University where she is majoring in Biology. Upon completion of her bachelor’s degree, she plans to continue her education by obtaining a Chiropractic Doctorate. Sara plans to open a local practice.
Sara is sponsored by Green Beauty Supply, Murphy’s Boarding and Grooming, and Vernon Quandt-Pioneer Seed.
Contestant #4
Abigail Smith-Salem
Abigail Smith is the daughter of Jeff and Jenny Smith of Salem.
Abigail currently attends Kaskaskia College where she is pursuing an Associate of Arts degree. After she graduates, she plans to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing. After receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, she plans to participate in the Disney Social Media Marketing Internship.
Abigail is sponsored by Walsh Farms Trucking and Allstate Insurance- Brandy Drenckpohl.
Contestant #5
Delaney Kell-Salem
Delaney is the daughter of Cheryl and Jamie Kell of Salem.
Delaney is currently attending Southeast Missouri State University where she is majoring in Communication Disorders. After receiving her Bachelor’s Degree she plans to go to graduate school where she will obtain her Master’s Degree in Communication Disorders. Delaney plans to become a Speech/Language Pathologist in the future.
Delaney is sponsored tonight by Christy Gillett – Broker with Somer Real Estate, Mike McManus of Schmidt Ford in Salem, and Little Egypt Golf Cars.
Contestant #6
Sophia Schossler-Centralia
Sophia Schossler is the daughter Thomas and Heather Schossler of Centralia.
Sophia is currently attending Centralia High School. Her future plans are to attend college for nursing to start. After college, Sophia plans to move up in the medical field with more schooling.
She also plans to work while in school.
Sophia is sponsored by the Sutherland family, Simplicity Glass, and Bulls Custom & Restoration
Contestant #7
Brylee Dukes-Centralia
Brylee is the daughter of Blake and Jaime Dukes of Centralia.
After receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, Brylee plans to continue her education at SIUE in the CRNA program and have a major in Nurse Anesthesia with a minor in Experimental Sciences.
Brylee is sponsored by KloTHeer Boutique, Depew and Owen Construction, and AST Primary Care.
Contestant #8
Hailey Knox-Odin
Hailey is the daughter of Ash’Lee and Christian Whittington of Odin.
Hailey is currently a Junior at Odin High School. Hailey will be completing the CNA program this year. Her future plans are to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice at a four-year university. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree, she plans on going to law school to get her Juris Doctor degree. Hailey plans to become an Agriculture Lawyer.
Hailey is sponsored by United Medical Response, Off The Chain DJ, Luxe Salon & Barber Lounge, and AshLee Wethington Photography.
Contestant #9
Ciara Cain-Patoka
Ciara is the daughter of Dennis and Lisa Cain of Patoka.
Ciara currently attends Greenville University where she is majoring in Exercise Science. After receiving her degree she plans to go to medical school to obtain her doctorate in Physical Therapy. Ciara plans on becoming a Physical Therapist in the future.
Ciara is sponsored by Beyers Excavating, Studio 50 Gym, Dance, and Cheer, and Sutherland Rankin Funeral Home.
The Little Miss candidates for Tuesday night:
Tuesday’s Marion County Littles to be crowned during Queen contest.
- Raeghyn Dodson is the daughter of Mark and Stephanie Dodson of Salem.
- Annie Vincent is the daughter of Tyler and Angela Vincent of Salem.
- Ellie Vincent is the daughter of Tyler and Angela Vincent of Salem.
- Rylynn Ball is the daughter of Ryan and Bobbie Ball of Sandoval.
- Tatum Larson is the daughter of Nick and Kristen Larson of Odin.
- Avery Whalen is the daughter of Joe and Amber Sloat of Salem and Alyssa and Zach Whalen of Odin.
- Amelia Westman is the daughter of Andy and Shelly Westman of Salem.
- Hadleigh Sapp is the daughter of Joshua Sapp and Hayley Hammond of Salem.
- Grace Lynn Bolin is the daughter of T.J. and Casey Bolin of Alma.
- Annistyn Walsh is the daughter of Nick and Abbey Walsh of Salem.
- Jezelle Shaffer is the daughter of Travis and Jacquelyne Shaffer.
- Reese Elayne White is the daughter of Kent and Vanessa White of Iuka.
- Makenna Lynch is the daughter of Nicholas and KD Lynch of Odin.
- Renley Metcalf is the daughter of Brock and Keandra Metcalf of Salem.
- Avery Sue Barlock is the daughter of Adam & Elisabeth Barlock of Odin.
- Amara Hurn is the daughter of Jacob and Ashley Hurn of Centralia.
- Piper Klostermann is the daughter of Kyle and Brandi Klostermann of Sandoval.
- Victoria Hunter is the daughter of Jared and Justine Hunter of Salem.
- Bristol Morris is the daughter of Bob and Danielle Morris and Matt and Jamie Bledsoe of Salem.
- Kynlie Shumate is the daughter of Abbie Shumate and Brandon Hewkin of Salem and Keith Callender of Odin.
- Madilynn Jamison is the daughter of Lacey & Jacob Gray of Sandoval and Shae Jamison of Iuka.
- Olivia Cain is the daughter of Dennis and Lisa Cain of Patoka.
