Miss Ripley County, Court named

WANDA ENGLISH BURNETT PHOTO

Callie Comer was crowned 2026 Miss Ripley County Sunday evening, July 12 by 2025 Miss Ripley County Onika Struewing. She also was given plaques for the People’s Choice award and Professional Wear award.

Royalty has been named for the upcoming 4-H Fair with Callie Comer, taking the 2026 Miss Ripley County title. Amidst the cheers from the crowd, Comer was crowned as she managed to hang onto her hardware she had already received Sunday evening. She not only took the prized crown, a $750 scholarship and sash, she was also awarded a plaque for the best in professional wear as she donned a red pant suit with a black shirt and printed scarf – her hair in an updo.

Comer took the People’s Choice Award with $1,354 raised for Safe Passage, a women’s domestic shelter. She said farming, her family, and her faith in Jesus Christ are the motivating factors in her life. She will be a senior at South Ripley this fall and is the daughter of Andy and Sara Comer.

Taking the 1st Runner-up title, sash and a $150 scholarship was Maddison Hornsby, another South Ripley student and daughter of Cassandra Hornsby and Randy Hornsby. She talked about her experience with “Cadet Teaching” and how it changed her course of study. Until then, Hornsby said she was going in a different direction for college. Now, she is fixed on a degree in elementary education saying, “Those kids changed my life!”

2nd Runner-up went to Paxten Feller, whose beauty was on display as she told how she wanted to be in cosmetology to make a positive impact “one person at a time.” She is from East Central and the daughter of Ryan and Tiffany Feller. She not only received a sash and $100 scholarship but was given the plaque for the best formal wear in her mint green heavily jeweled evening gown with ruffles.

The 3rd Runner-up went to Rylee Mitchell, South Ripley, daughter of Lynda and Nick Mitchell. She was given a sash and $100 scholarship. Her purple (lavender) and cream-colored evening gown was accented with sparkly gold.

4th Runner-up was taken by Ashtyn Peelman, South Ripley, daughter of Andy Peelman and Abby Peelman. She received a sash and a $100 scholarship as she glided across the stage in a heavily sequined green evening gown.

Mya Rynn was named Miss Congeniality in a pink and purple gown that exploded in a sea of sparkles. From East Central she is the daughter of Lindsey Hornberger and Bradley Rynn.

Sophie Riehle, Milan, daughter of Marlene and Eric Riehle, took one of the most desired accolades of the evening – the Kristy Sams Kindness Award. When asked to describe the word authentic, she said without hesitation, “be yourself.”

There were seven girls in the 2026 Miss Ripley County Pageant that was held at the historic Damm Theatre in Osgood. A packed house gathered to cheer the candidates on with each girl bringing her special gift and talent.

This Queen and her Court will now preside over all the festivities at the upcoming Ripley County 4-H Fair that begins Sunday, July 19 when the fair will officially open and the 4-H King and Queen will be named.