Onika Struewing named 2025 Miss Ripley County
Amy Davidson
Congratulations to Onika Struewing, who took the crown for 2025 Miss Ripley County. Sophia Sullivan, 2024 Miss Ripley County, had the honor to crown her at the pageant on Sunday evening, July 13, at the Damm Theatre in Osgood.
Onika Struewing took the Miss Ripley County 2025 crown at the 67th Annual Miss Ripley County Pageant that was held at the Damm Theatre in Osgood Sunday evening, July 13. Onika was also honored for this year’s Professional wear award with her bright and coral work suit. She is the daughter of Mark and Natasha Struewing of Oldenburg. Onika is going into her senior year at Ball State University and is on the Dean’s list. She is studying Marketing. Onika is involved and volunteers with Ripley County 4H. When not in school, she also volunteers at Holy Family Church in Oldenburg and tutors Algebra students.
When the Osgood Journal asked her about the experience of being in the pageant she stated, “It was so much fun with everyone. It was amazing and would do it a million times over again.” Her court standing by her side after she was crowned and said, “This is your night. This is about you!” and Onika replied, “No this night is about us. The Queen and her court!”
This year was a hard decision for the judges to decide as the young ladies all represented Ripley County so well in all categories. They were each asked to tell their favorite quote; pick a word out of the basket and describe what it meant to them; and judged on their professional and formal wear. They were all asked to describe themselves in three words. Onika responded during the interview earlier before the pageant, “Driven, kind and talkative. I am ready to serve and give back to the community.”
The People’s Choice award this year went to Callie Comer, of Holton, who also placed Runner up for 2025 Miss Ripley County and Miss Congeniality. The total raised for People’s Choice this year was 926.00 to Meals on Wheels and over 1000 books donated to the Southeastern YMCA. Callie stated to the Osgood Journal about her experience saying, “Best experience I have ever had and never expected this outcome. It was amazing!”
Second Runner up for 2025 Miss Ripley County went to Shelby Williams, of Milan. Third Runner up went to Cheyenne Cullen, of Holton, and received Best Formal award for 2025. Bonnie Hoffrogee, of Milan, was honored for the Compassion Scholarship Award in honor of the memory of Kristy Sams.
Sophia Sullivan, 2024 Miss Ripley County Queen, gave her final farewell stating to the crowd, “I want to thank everyone for all your support and a great year. This was a memorable experience and even kissing the pig and sharing this experience with the other girls. I am also enjoying this year as 10-year 4H Member. I urge any girl to do this opportunity for Miss Ripley County. The connections, memories, the public speaking and transformative experience is amazing! To the 2025 Queen and her court, have fun! Embrace every bit of it in making memories that you can hold onto for a lifetime!”
Miss Ripley County 2025 will also compete at the Indiana State Fair Queen Pageant in January 2026. All Court members will be present at the 2025 Ripley County 4-H Fair as official ambassadors of the 4-H organization. Come and and enjoy a week full of fun for everyone July 20-26 at the Ripley County Fairgrounds Park!
