by ALISONBUNTING
Tribune Correspondent
FORT ASHBY — Judges interviewed six young ladies individually in the dressing trailer prior to their appearances on stage during the 2010 Mineral County Fair Queen competition Monday at the fairgrounds.
Admission was free for the opening night activities, which included performances by the Chinese Bandits and a solo by local drummer Matt O’Reilly.
The fair continues through this week, with rides starting today, and ticket takers will be working the gates.
The Mineral Daily-News-Tribune is offering its “Fair Tab” at a table inside the exhibit building for those who would like to review the week’s events.
Contestants for the 2010 Mineral County Fair Queen competition were selected by their respective schools.
Karalee Collage, Kara Myers, Brittany Hanlin, and Jessica Wharton, all Frankfort High School graduates; Ashley Luther and Ashlyn Parrish, Keyser High graduates; all went through several phases of the judging before the queen and runner-up were announced.
When all was said and done, Karalee Collage was crowned Mineral County Fair Queen for 2010, with honors being presented by Ashley Kady, the 2009 Queen.
Jessica Wharton was named the first runner-up.
Host Scott Turley said the winner receives a scholarship provided by fair sponsors. The crown was provided by Bradfield Construction.
Each contestant was asked to share a few things about herself.
Kara Myers works three jobs, likes shopping and working out, and someday hopes to work with juvenile diabetes. Favorite foods include Swedish fish, ice cream and taco soup.
Brittany Hanlin also works three jobs, is active in her church youth group as well as Potomac District Fine Arts. She hopes to study medicine at West Virginia University and receive a degree in pediatrics. Favorite foods include mangos, chocolate ice cream with sprinkles and Frosted Flakes.
Jessica Wharton enjoys horseback riding, reading and shopping. She plans to attend Potomac State College for a year, then transfer to West Virginia University, majoring in biology. She would like to do something in the medical field. Favorite foods include Oodles O’ Noodles, strawberries and pineapple.
Ashley Luther has danced for eight years and taught dance for seven. Her goal is to become a pharmacy technician. Favorite foods include celery, chicken and fries.
Ashlyn Parrish likes cheerleading, hanging out with friends, and listening to music. Her ambition is to specialize in neonatal nursing. Favorite foods include pickles, olives and cereal.
Kara Collage enjoys soccer, horseback riding, reading, shopping, playing tennis and working with animals. Her ambition is to become a registered nurse by attending both Potomac State and WVU. She hopes to someday have a big house on a farm. Favorite foods include Grandma Mary Jane’s gnocchis and meatballs and all Greek food.
Judging included answering a question on stage in front of the live audience. The question was, “Do you think music should be rated like movies are?”
Five of the contestants answered “yes” to the question, with most saying that parents would be able to “monitor” what their children listen to and “regulate” or “select” what is “appropriate” for them to hear.
Kara Myers took a different view, saying that most people today are “visual” and people would be more likely to act out what they see in a movie than what they hear in music.
Each contestant walked the runway and was judged for how she looked and carried herself in street clothes. This counted for 20 percent of the score.
Composure, charisma and style were among the criteria for judging the evening gown segment, which also counted for 20 percent of the score.
The floor question and personal interview each were worth 30 percent of the final score.
Judges, all from Frostburg, included Wendy Petenbrink, employed by Western Maryland Health Systems; Mandy Folk, employed by Egle Nursing Home; and Bernie Henaghan, of Bernie’s Photography.
Ashley Kady did her “Farewell Walk” onstage as her recorded voice reminisced about her reign and how important the fair is to the community.
