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The 2025 Miss Marion County Fair Queen and Junior Miss candidates have been announced.  The queen pageant has been moved to Monday of fair week and is now set for Monday, July 28 at 7:00 p.m. in the grandstand.  Along with the queen competition, 20 Little Misses will also be crowned. The Jr. Miss pageant has moved to Tuesday of fair week and will be held on  Tuesday, July 29 at 7:00 p.m. There will be 17 Little Misses crowned that night as well.

2025 MISS CANDIDATES:

The 2025 Marion County Fair Queen Pageant field of contestants has been set. There are 9 young ladies vying for the title of Miss Marion County.  Pictured in order of contestant number is  #1 Ella Douglas (Salem), #2 Kenzi Coffey (Salem), #3 Amanda Taylor (Centralia), #4  Mariah Abdullah (Centralia), #5 Abi Perry (Salem), #6 Madelyn Dailey (Centralia), #7 Gabriella Curtner (Walnut Hill), #8 Kairyn Dunahee (Centralia), #9 Hannah Duncan (Centralia). Also pictured is 2024 Marion County Fair Queen Preslee Harris (Iuka).

Kenzi is the daughter of Justin and Carissa Coffey of Salem. Kenzi will be a senior at Salem Community School with plans to graduate early in December and continue her studies in Early Childhood Education at Kaskaskia College. Kenzi’s sponsors are Route 50 Auto Repair, Mom Photography, and Coffey Construction.

Amanda Taylor is the daughter of Jason and Sarah Taylor of Centralia. Amanda is a graduate of Centralia High School, a recent alumnus of Kaskaskia College, and plans on attending SIUE to obtain a degree in Music Therapy with a specialization in children with disabilities.  Amanda’s sponsors are Genfed Financial Credit Union and C-Town Twist.

Mariah is the daughter of Crystal O’Neal and Maurice Abdullah. Mariah graduated from Centralia High School in May with plans Mariah to attend Kaskaskia College in the fall to receive her associate’s degree before transferring to Georgia State University to pursue her Bachelor’s in Nursing. She is sponsored this evening by The Juneteenth Committee, Bobby Joe Mason Committee, and The Second Baptist Church.

Abi is the daughter of Justin and Debra Perry of Iuka.  She is a 2025 graduate of Salem Community High School and plans to attend Kaskaskia College to earn her Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certificate, then proceed to get a paramedicine degree. Abi’s sponsors are Landers Iron Saddle Ranch, Molenhour Power Equipment, and Landers Towing and Collision.

Madelyn is the granddaughter of Floyd and Virginia of Centralia. Madelyn graduated from Centralia High School in 2023 and is currently attending Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, majoring in elementary education. She is sponsored by Paradise Pools and Spas, the Mop Shop, and Black Tie Affair Bridal and Formals.

Gabriella Curtner is the daughter of the late Andrea (Curtner) Carter of Sandoval, Illinois. Gabriella is a 2024 graduate of Sandoval Jr Sr High School and currently attends Kaskaskia College with plans to graduate in May with her Associate Arts in Psychology. Upon graduation, she will be attending Southern Illinois University of Carbondale for her Master’s in Business Administration-Management and a minor in Marketing. Gabriella’s sponsors are Jett’s Dorpers of Sandoval, AST of Centralia, and Mindful Moments Photography of Walnut Hill.

Kairyn Dunahee is the daughter of Darren and Kayla Dunahee. Kairyn is a recent graduate of Centralia High School and plans to attend Kaskaskia College to pursue a degree in Theater. Kairyn’s sponsors are Schwartz Orchard, Take It Easy Therapy, and Monken Toyota Dealership.

Hannah Duncan is the daughter of Dustin and Robyn Duncan of Salem. Hannah will graduate from Salem Community High School in May 2027. After graduation, she plans to attend Southern Illinois University of Carbondale to pursue a degree in Business and a master’s in horticulture. She is sponsored by Stacey Russell–Somer Real Estate and The Iuka State Bank.

Ella is the daughter of Mike and Britt Douglas of Salem. Ella attended Salem Community High School and will be attending the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, studying Sustainability pre-law with a minor in Spanish. Ella is sponsored by Mitch and Brooke Lewis of Lewis Farms, the Douglas Veterinary Clinic, Judge McHaney, and his wife Laura.

Preslee Harris, the reigning 2024 Miss Marion County to retire her crown, is the daughter of Josh and Rebecca Harris of Iuka. She is a 2025 graduate of Salem Community High School and will attend Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in the fall to pursue a degree in secondary education.

2025 JR MISS CANDIDATES:

There are 19 Junior Miss contestants this year.  They are #1 Paisley Meyer (Centralia), #2 Savannah Booher (Salem), #3 Briah Henseler (Salem), #4 Abigail Tate(Salem), #5 Paisleigh Clark (Salem), #6 McKinleigh Parker (Salem), #7 Danner Smith (Patoka), #8 Jane Taylor Rose (Kinmundy), #9 Ella Santiago (Sandoval), #10 Baylie Purcell (Salem), #11 Ava Sigrist (Salem), #12 Aubrey Sauter (Kinmundy), #13 Melia Howell (Salem), #14 Kenlie Cantrell (Iuka), #15 Giada Saums (Centralia), #16 Silent Birkner-Reeves (Salem),  #17 Hope Despres (Centralia), #18 Natalie Melton (Sandoval), and #19 Braxton Yokely (Sandoval). Also pictured is 2024 Jr Miss Marion County Fair Queen Aubrey Parker (Salem).

Paisley Meyer is the daughter of Jason and Tasha Meyer of Centralia and is sponsored by Southern Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates, White’s Cattle Services and Sanders’ Appraisal Service.

Savannah Booher the daughter of Kristen and Alan Booher of Salem and is sponsored by Precision Truck in Salem.

Briah Henseler is the daughter of Alex and Melissa Henseler of Salem and is sponsored by The Epoc Experience Salem and Salem Bowl of Salem.

Abigail Tate is the daughter of Lance and Kimberly Tate of Salem and is sponsored by Rueter Properties.

Paisleigh Clark is the daughter of Alex Patten and Cory Clark of Salem and is sponsored by Salem Walmart, Shelter Insurance Agent Jason Green, and Cornerstone Church in Centralia.

McKinleigh Parker is the daughter of Josh and Beth Ann Parker of Salem and is sponsored by Hancock Farms of Iuka, Somer Reality, and Green Beauty Supply, both of Salem.

Danner Smith is the daughter of Nathan and Kelly Smith of Patoka and is sponsored by Southern Sno Shaved Ice, Cain Excavating, and The Black Tie Affair, LLC.

Jane Taylor Rose is the daughter of Jared and Sara Rose of Kinmundy and is sponsored by Tri-Ag Distributors, Rose General Stores, and Rose Family Farm.

Ella Santiago is the daughter of Kristi Hammer of Sandoval and is sponsored by Tequilas Mexican Restaurant, Wayne Carter Excavating, and Day Macz Funeral Home.

Baylie Purcell is the daughter of Hunter and Kim Purcell of Salem and is sponsored by Salem Building Center.

Ava Sigrist is the daughter of Luke and Kellie Sigrist of Salem and is sponsored by Heritage Woods of Centralia, J.Lane Boutique, and Crouse Funeral Home.

Aubrey Sauter is the daughter of Abbey Sauter of Kinmundy and is sponsored by Shoreline Aquatics, Kinmundy Bank, and the Ice Cream Korner.

Melia Howell is the daughter of Misty Howell of Salem and is sponsored by Bonnie Cafe, Dairy Mart, and The Hangout, all of Salem.

Kenlie Cantrell is the daughter of Kory and Katherine Cantrell of Iuka and is sponsored by Goff Plumbing and Heating, Gold Link and Diamond Centre, and Crescent Bearing and Supply.

Giada Saums is the daughter of Randall and Jennifer Knight from Centralia and is sponsored by Southern Illinois Dermatology and Midwest Farm and Land agent Dee Ann Arey.

Silent Birkner-Reeves is the daughter of Aaron Reeves and Shayla Birkner of Salem and is sponsored by Martin’s Services and Salem Tire Center, both of Salem.

Hope Despres is the daughter of Omer and Mary Despres of Odin and is sponsored by Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home, LT Nails, and Minor League.

Natalie Melton is the daughter of Terry and Amanda Melton of Sandoval and is sponsored by Family and Friends.

Braxton Yokley is the daughter of Zach Roderick and Abby Jolliff of Sandoval and is sponsored by Neeley’s Tumble & Fitness.

The reigning 2024 Jr Miss is Audbrey Parker, who is set to retire her crown. Parker is the daughter of Josh and Beth Ann Parker of Salem. She will be a freshman at Salem Community High School in the fall.

Back row from left to right contestants are Ava Sigrist, Aubrey Sauter, Baylie Purcell, Ella Santiago, McKinleigh Parker, Danner Smith. Middle row: Jane Taylor Rose, Melia Howell, Hope Despres, Natalie Melton, 2024 Jr Miss Queen Aubrey Parker, Abigail Tate, Paisleigh Clark, Savannah Booher, Silent Birkner-Reeves, Kenlie Cantrell; Front row: Giada Saums, Briah Henseler. Not pictured are Paisley Meyer and Braxton Yokely.