By Cindy Gladden, Record Staff Writer
It was a night of glitz and glamor for eight queen contestants at the Warren County Fair Tuesday, opening day.Before Independence Day fireworks lit the sky, Jordan Todd was chosen as the 2017 Warren County Fair Queen.Todd is the daughter of Jennifer and John Todd of Warrenton. She is a graduate of Warrenton High School.At WHS, she was the captain of the cheerleading squad.She plans to attend the University of Central Missouri and major in political science. Todd was sponsored by Ultimate Hair and Spa.“I’ve learned a lot about the county during this process,” said Todd. “And all these girls are just so amazing. I’m looking forward to helping out around the Fair.”Joining her in the court are first runner-up Claire Ehlenbeck and second runner-up Abby Schneider. Chosen as Miss Congeniality by the contestants was Dana Sherman.Ehlenbeck is a senior at Warrenton High School. She has grown up showing animals at the Warren County Fair and is a member of the WHS Trap Shooting Team.She plans to attend an auto tech school in the future. She was sponsored by MADD Graphics.“The contest has helped me learn how to talk to people with other interests,” she said. “I now have more confidence to go sing in front of people.”Schneider, a graduate of Warrenton High School, will attend the University of Missouri at Columbia this fall. She was sponsored by Gastorf Chevrolet.The theme of the night was “Some Gave All,” honoring veterans in support of the Tribute to Veterans Memorial to be erected this year. Service members and veterans also were part of the ceremony.Contestants gathered Saturday, July 1, at Creekside Place Church to be judged on personality, poise, grammer, stage presentation, confidence, leadership and talent. Top interview, speech and talent, and evening gown were chosen by three judges.Alex Buechner won top interview, Ehlenbeck won for top speech and talent, and Schneider won top evening gown.Schneider said she is usually showing hog and steers at the Fair so the queen contest was a new experience for her.“Picking out the dress was the easy part,” she said.Schneider also sold the most season Fair passes and Thirty-One products.Dana Sherman, Miss Congeniality, took the short walk from the animal barn where she was tending her show animals shortly before donning her red evening gown. Sherman received a gift basket worth more than $800 of merchandise from local donors.“It’s really great that the contestants thought I was fun and nice,” she said. “It’s just a nice thing for someone who isn’t the typical beauty contestant.”Sherman is a recent graduate of Warrenton High School and is pursuing a degree in agriculture education.As queen, Todd will receive a $1,000 scholarship and compete at the 2018 Missouri State Fair. Ehlenbech will receive a $500 scholarship and Schneider will receive a $250 scholarship.The queen and her court will be present at the Fair through Saturday, July 8.Jordan Todd, seated, was chosen as the 2017 Warren County Fair Queen Tuesday, July 4. Standing, from left, are Miss Congeniality, Dana Sherman; Second Runner-Up Abby Schneider; and First Runner-Up Claire Ehlenbeck. Record photo/ Jana Todd.
