Logan County Fair 2020 Queen Harlie McClintick said during interviews in Sunday’s royalty contest that she always looked up to previous fair royalty and that she wouldn’t be who she is today without their support and guidance.
Now she will serve in that important position this year and will be a role model for her younger peers.
“When I was younger, I looked up to these leaders that wore a sash and a crown and I knew that I wanted to be like them one day,” the 17-year-old Riverside High School student said in her application essay. “I still look up to them. I want to be that person that younger people look to when they are in need of advice, a friend, or even just a hug.”
While Harlie and the other royalty contestants were awaiting word from the judges on the opening fair day, they were encouraged by 2019 Logan County Fair Queen Shelby Nicholl, who told them she remembers being in their positions.
“I was shaking in my boots at this time last year,” she said. “You’re each unique in your own way, and you did a wonderful job.”
Hannah O’Brien was named the runner-up queen contestant, and the 2020 Benjamin Logan High School graduate said during the interviews that one of her proudest moments in high school was that she “never caved under peer pressure” and stuck to her morals and values.
“I was always ‘me,’” the 18-year-old said.
Riverside Schools eighth-grader Jaidyn Jackson was selected as the 2020 Logan County princess. When asked during the interviews about the person that she most looks up to, she said her late grandmother has had a profound influence on her.
“She always did everything for everyone and cared for all of us, putting our needs before her own,” she said.
The lone 2020 king candidate, Brendan Duff, is a 2020 Riverside High School graduate and a Riverside Hustlers 4-H member. He said the Logan County Fair has always been a special place for him.
“I love getting other kids involved and encouraging people to have fun. I also like to learn new and exciting hands-on projects,” he said in his application essay.
“I look forward to meeting new people everywhere I go, but I have to admit, the fair is definitely my favorite place to go. It feels like family and I make new friends while I’m there.”
Outgoing 2019 fair king Thomas Lockwood said the past two years serving as fair prince and then king have brought a tremendous amount of growth to him personally.
“Being part of the Logan County Fair royalty these past two years have meant so much to me. The other fair royalty members have become even more than friends — they’re like family to me.
“How blessed am I that I could be a part of something that’s so hard to say good-bye to.”
Outgoing queen Nicholl said in the past year, she had the chance to visit 42 county and independent fairs. She left the new Logan county royalty members with words of advice.
“It was an honor and a privilege to represent our county, and it taught me many things. I learned the importance of live, love and laugh. Live in the moment, love what you’re doing and laugh as much as possible.”