Kelley Rosemann watched the Warren County Fair queen pageant with anticipation since she was 5 years old.

On Sunday night, it was her turn in the spotlight.

Rosemann was selected the 2010 Fair Queen, topping 18 other contestants in the process. She was crowned by 2009 Fair Queen Kayla Meine.

“I never knew I would get this far,” Rosemann said. “Being able to experience this with the other girls, it was awesome.”

She managed to overcome her nerves throughout the evening, though at times they almost had the better of her especially after  the field of 19 was dwindled to six and then two.

“I was like, ‘Come on, hurry up,’ ” Rosemann said. “I felt like I was about ready to pass out or start crying. I was like, ‘I can’t cry, I can’t cry.’ ”

Rosemann received a $1,000 college scholarship and $100 cash prize. She also was recognized for having the top speech.

A 2009 Warrenton High School graduate, Rosemann will attend Lindenwood University where she  will pursue her goal of becoming a middle school math teacher.

Rosemann was sponsored by Gastorf-Schrumpf Motors.

In addition to her responsibilities as queen, she also will be exhibiting horses and sheep in livestock competitions.

Regardless, representing the county and the Fair is special for the new queen.

“This is my summer vacation as I call it,” Rosemann said.

Kelsea Job, sponsored by Janet Bradshaw Financial Services, was selected first runner-up. She received a $500 cash scholarship. She also received the award for having the top interview.

Job, a 2009 Warrenton High School graduate, will attend Southeast Missouri State University where she will major in pre-veterinary medicine.

“I am really excited,” she said. “I didn’t think this would happen at all. I am really shocked.”

Job was glad she took part in the competition as it allowed her to speak on the radio and in front of a large crowd.

“I knew it was something I would do,” she said. “It was a chance for me to grow. I was pushed to do so many things I wouldn’t do. It was a great opportunity to expand myself and grow as a person.”

The remainder of the queen’s court was comprised of second runner-up Ashley Neldon (sponsored by Charlie Edwards and family), third runner-up Sunni Zollner (Equity One Mortgage-Dawnetta Benfield), fourth runner-up Sonia Rodriguez (Jonesburg State Bank) and fifth runner-up Kayla Nicholas (American Family Insurance-Deana Dothage).

Zollner also was recognized for winning the top evening gown.

Rebecca Chapman (Struts and Ruts Taxidermy) was named Miss Congeniality, an award voted on by the queen contestants. She received a gift basket worth more than $1,000.

While the nerves got the best of other contestants, she said she kept joking around trying to help everybody relax.

“It means a lot that everyone sees your personality comes through,” Chapman said. “I wasn’t expecting to get anything. I just did it for the experience.”

Also recognized were the contestants who finished in the top five for selling the most season passes to the Fair. Cindy Ebbesmeyer (Electric Beach) sold 102 passes, followed by Rosemann. Alyssa Mazanec (Warrenton Tire and Muffler) and Chapman finished in a tie for third, while Kerri Cunningham (Hopkins and Hopkins) and Suzanne Boedeker (The Hideout) tied for fourth.

This year’s coronation showcased a new format for the ceremony with the judging having already been completed entering the evening. The interview, speech and evening gown competitions were all conducted on June 26 at Wright City Middle School.

The coronation ceremony included dance performances from Extreme Energy, of Warrenton, and a routine from the contestants.

This year’s pageant organizers were Andrea and Vickie Vohsen and Christy Bonstell. The emcees were Casey Olearnick and 2006 Fair Queen Markita Hackmann.