Ashley Pullen is this year’s Warren County Fair Queen, rising above 11 other young women in a contest of personality and poise that judges said was decided by narrow margins among the top contestants. Pullen was crowned queen at a July 4 coronation ceremony to help kick off fair week.

“These girls are all amazing. The judges for the competition said there was only a couple points difference,” commented contest organizer Ellie Stapleton before the queen candidates learned the results of the contest.

Runners up for the crown, in order, are Abigail Owenby, Hailey Schanuel, and Allison Gerard. The title of Miss Congeniality, voted on by the queen candidates, was awarded to Dawn Sherman.

Pullen, the daughter of Lynn and Eddie Meyer and Jeff Pullen, earned the highest overall marks in three judged challenges: an interview, speech or talent delivery, and formal gown demonstration. Pullen said she was inspired to pursue the fair queen title by past queens who encouraged her during livestock shows in previous years.

“I’ve shown steer for five years now, and I’ve seen the queens throughout the years, and I always looked up to them and thought how cool they were, and how I wanted to be them someday,” Pullen said. She continued that she admired how past queens had carried themselves and how well they treated fair participants and livestock showers.

“You have to show the kids this is a fun experience. You’re going to get so many memories, so many lessons from being at the fair,” Pullen explained. “It can be hard, showing an animal. ... Just saying ‘You’re fine, you did great’ after they come in from showing, it really felt great for the queen to tell me that, and now I can tell other people that.”

Pullen said the most enjoyable part of the queen contest was a tour day when candidates visited the Warren County Jail, among other locations.

Pullen was encouraged to participate in the queen contest by her parents, including Lynn Meyer, who was also a fair queen years ago.

“I’m overwhelmed with happiness for her. I’m proud of her. She works hard at everything she does,” said Lynn.

Dawn Sherman, the winner of Miss Congeniality, said she was surprised and excited to receive the vote from her fellow queen contestants. The title goes to the candidate who shows the best character – kindness, smarts, and a positive attitude.

“Throughout the past few weeks I got to know all these girls, and it’s cheesy, but I think we’re like a family now,” Sherman commented. Even though she was the one who got the vote, she said the other queen contenders were just as supportive of her when something didn’t go well.

“I just tried to be myself the whole entire experience,” Sherman said. “I tried to give everyone compliments, bring them up, give positive feedback to everybody.”

Also participating in the queen contest and putting their personalities on display were Mary Schleuter, Grace Bostic, Catherine Le, Anna Buchanan, Gabriella Scruggs, Anna Guss, and Emily Schanuel.