Bailey Love is a Wright City senior with a passion for FFA and fair queen competitions. Love recently attended the Northeast District Fair, a fair she has been going to since her sophomore year to show her cattle. For the first time this year, Love participated in the fair’s queen contest, where she placed as second runner-up. Love also participated in the Warren County Fair queen where she was named Miss Congeniality. Love plans on participating in my queen competitions next year. 

How did you get involved with the Northeast District Fair? 

“I got involved my sophomore year and I started showing cattle there. This was my first year participating in the Queen’s competition.” 

What was your experience like?

“The Fair queen contest was different, but calmer. There weren't as many girls as there were for Warren County and it was more FFA based, so it was more my genre, but it was very smooth going. My overall experience was very memorable and exciting. It’s just an expo that if you’re in FFA, it’s one that you really want to go to.”

Why would you want to go to this one?

“We showcase between area four and five how well we take care of our animals. We get very good feedback before the state fair, so a lot of our animals that show there go to the state fair.”

What was your talent?

“My talent was the flute. I have been playing since sixth grade.” 

What was the hardest part?

“Practicing since I was gone for two weeks already, so I only had two days from the time I got home to the time I had to go interview and run.”

What was the easiest part?

“The interview. Throughout these last couple years, I’ve been through so many interviews and some of the questions were just natural questions that I had already been studying for Warren County Fair queen and area officer in chapter officers for FFA.”

How did it feel to be on queen’s court for both the Northeast District Fair and the Warren County Fair?

“It was cool because for one fair queen I ran and then left for Ireland. Then I came back and ran for another one and just so happened to make both of them.” 

Were you a part of the expo?

“Yes. I showed steers.”

Did you win any awards?

“Not with my steer, but I showed in the exhibit hall where we can show plants and designs you make and I had put in my hay that I bale at home for home grown hay and I had one grand champion with my hay.” 

How do you prepare before an expo?

“I work with them, walk them and wash them everyday. I make sure they’re not getting overweight by how much food I give them and make sure that they’re not overheating and make sure that they are getting the right amount of preparation.” 

Was this expo different from the Warren County fair?

“It was way different. It’s way shorter. You’re done by two, three o’clock most days. It’s very fun because if you’re in FFA, you get to see all your friends between area four and five.”

What is your favorite part of FFA?

“Oh gosh, everything. When I went to WLC the summer after my freshman year, I got to go to WLC and see the State Capitol and the White House. That’s one thing that I’ll always remember with FFA.” 

Is there anything else that you want to do with FFA?

“I plan to run for state office for FFA [next spring].”

Why do you want that position?

“When I went to WLC, I really connected with everybody and I saw how much of an impact it makes on people, so I really want to continue my career at FFA.”

School activities: FFA, softball, basketball, track, band, HOSA, key club, student council and trapshooting. 

Favorite food: Chicken strips

Favorite color: Blue

Favorite animal: Elephant 

Favorite movie: Harry Potter series

Favorite school subject: Agriculture 

Post-grad plans: “My plans after high school are to go to Missouri State University down in Springfield to get a degree. I’m switching to ag education, but there’s still some part of me that wants to be animal science.”