Miss Hanna Keene Crowned 20014 Miss Missouri State Fair

SEDALIA, Mo.) –Miss Hanna Keene from Warrenton was named the 2014 Missouri State Fair Queen in a ceremony held yesterday, Aug. 8. Miss Keene received the highest score of 58 contestants vying for the title in the competition held at 3 p.m. in the Mathewson Exhibition Center. Miss Keene will reign over the remaining State Fair events and be an ambassador for the State Fair and Missouri agriculture throughout the coming year. Winning entries have also been announced in the Fine Arts Department and Opening Day Parade.

Miss Keene is 19 years old and studies Physical Therapy at the University of Missouri - Columbia, and she will receive a $1,500 scholarship to continue her education. Hanna entered as Miss Warren County, and is the daughter of Barb and Kenneth Keene.

“Agriculture is the state’s number one industry,” Miss Keene said.  “As the Missouri State Fair Queen I will strive to be a good role model and ambassador for the Fair and for agriculture. I am so honored to be serving as Queen and am especially excited to take over the reign from my friend Ashley Bauer, whom I have grown up with.”

Participants in the queen contest were judged in multiple areas including interview, speech, talent and evening gown.

Miss McKenna Wilmes, of Lincoln County, received first runner-up and a $500 scholarship. Second runner-up went to Miss Kaitlyn Schumacher, of Barry County, who will receive a $250 scholarship. The third runner-up honor went to Miss Kaitlin Flick, representing Mizzou Agronomy, who will receive a $200 scholarship, and the fourth runner-up honor went to Miss Shannon Yokley, representing Mizzou Collegiate Farm Bureau, who will receive a $100 scholarship.

Recognition certificates went to contestants ranking highest in each of the four competitive categories: Miss Yokley received top ranking in Interview; North Central Missouri Fair Queen Marie Washburn received top ranking in Evening Gown and Speech; and Miss Railroad Days Justas Miles received top ranking in Talent.

Award-winning entries in Fine Arts were recognized at a reception held Wednesday, Aug. 6. Winners were named in the Missouri Top 50 and Missouri Junior Top 50 categories, as well as those taking honors in open, photography and porcelain art categories.

Individuals receiving top awards of $800 in the Missouri Top 50 competition were Wanda Bellamy of Raymore, Brooke Cameron of Columbia, Dustin Mothersbaugh of Ionia and Kelsey Ragsdale of Smithton. The recipients of honorable mention awards in the same category were Fred Schollmeyer of Chamois, Debra Scoggins-Myers of Ewing, Sydney Brink of Sedalia and David Carter of Jackson.

Individuals receiving top awards of $80 in the Missouri Junior Top 50 competition were Savannah Boehlein of Louisiana, McKinley White of Bowling Green and Samantha Epp of St. Joseph. Those honorable mention recipients in the same category were Tanner Killion of Houstonia, Melanie Bond of Columbia, Wyatt Chamberlin of Green Ridge and Emily Dunkeson of Warrensburg.

During the reception, State Fair Community College of Sedalia also made a $500 art purchase.  This piece, and other art entries, will be on display in the Fine Arts Building throughout the Missouri State Fair.

Results are also in for the Opening Day Parade, with first place winners receiving blue ribbons and $100, and second place winners receiving a red ribbon and $50. WR Farms received first place in the Antique and Classic Car category, and Gene Foster received second. In the Equine category, Trails End received first place, and second went to Casmar Farms.

The Best Use of Theme category winner was awarded to Katy Park Baptist Church Royal Ambassadors, and second went to Four Seasons In Home Services. Top honors in the Farm Vehicle category went to the Greater Kansas City Two Cylinder Club. The Smith Cotton High School Tiger Pride Marching Band received first in their category and a plaque for their effort.

Results from these competitions, and others held at this year's Missouri State Fair, will be at www.mostatefair.com as they become available.

For more information about this year's State Fair, visit www.mostatefair.com, follow the Fair on Facebook and Twitter, or call 1-800-422-FAIR (3247). The 112th Missouri State Fair, themed “Harvest the Fun!,” is currently underway through Aug. 17 in Sedalia.