Miss Ripley County Pageant in full swing

   Ten Ripley County beauties will be vying for the title of Miss Ripley County 2021 and to reign over the county 4-H fair, which is set for July 18-24. The Pageant will be held July 11 at the Damm Theatre in Osgood beginning at 6:30 p.m.

  With this being the 62nd year of the Pageant, the theme is Hometown Heroes. “We thought this was fitting with the last year we have been through,” noted Amanda Kunz, pageant coordinator. She explained, “What that means is the girls will pick someone that has been influential to them and that person will escort them on the stage for opening introductions. We have also added a community service project for our newly crowned queen and her court. They will participate in a giving back to the community project after the fair is complete. That project will be announced at a later date when we decide what the girls want to participate in. We, as a committee, want to get the girls out in the community that give back to them with donations for our scholarships every year.”

  Kunz noted that other than the Hometown Heroes, the Pageant will run as usual with the girls modeling business wear, formal gown, and on stage impromptu interview questions.

  The popular People’s Choice award will again be given with the people getting the chance to vote with their dollars. Loose change will not be counted in the tally for the award. All money will benefit local food pantries.

  “I am so excited to be able to have an in person Pageant since we were unable to last year,” Kunz concluded. She, along with a whole community, is looking forward to crowning Miss Ripley County 2021!

  Candidates are as follows:

  Katherine Bedel, 18, Oldenburg, 2021 Batesville High School graduate. She plans to attend Lincoln Memorial University in TN to major in nursing or biochemistry this fall. Parents are Dave and Angie Bedel. Her sponsor is Shear Magic Family Hair Care.

  Emily Campbell, 17, Versailles, will be a senior at South Ripley High School this fall. Her parents are Duane and Tammy Campbell. Her sponsor is Laughery Valley Veterinary Hospital.

  Abbey Knowlton, 19, Osgood, will be a sophomore at Purdue this fall majoring in agricultural education. Her parents are Mike and Jennifer Knowlton. Emily’s Brew Coffee Co. is her sponsor.

  McKenzie Laker, 18, Batesville, 2021 graduate of Batesville High School and Ivy Tech Community College. This fall she will be attending Galen College of Nursing to become a Nurse Practitioner. Her parenst are Brian and Cheri Laker. Her sponsor is Precision Style Boutique and Tan.

  Emalee Veerkamp, 16, Osgood, will be a junior at Jac-Cen-Del High School this fall. Her parents are David and Misty Veerkamp. Eric J. Ertel Farms is her sponsor.

  Lily Welch, 16, Versailles, will be a junior at South Ripley High School this fall. Her parents are Alan and Crystal Welch. Her sponsor is Schmaltz Construction LLC, Keith Schmaltz.

  Shalee Harrington, 18, Batesville, 2021 graduate of Batesville High School and Ivy Tech Community College. She will be attending Caris College Sonography Program this summer to become a medical sonographer. Her mother is Dawn Harrington. Her sponsor is Precision Style Boutique and Tan.

  Shaylee Volz, 18, Osgood, 2021 graduate of Jac-Cen-Del High School, will be attending UC Blue Ash to obtain her associates degree in Dental Hygiene. Her parents are Brian and Eva Volz. Her sponsor is Napoleon Tavern.

  Machaela Cobler, 17, Osgood, will be a senior at Jac-Cen-Del High School this fall. Her parents are Chad and Kelli Cobler. Stonebridge Seed Sales LLC is her sponsor.

  Anastasia Eckstein, 16, Sunman, will be a junior at East Central High School this fall. Her parents are Josh and Staci Eckstein. Her sponsor is K& H Fine Food, Kathy and Henry Eckstein.