Jasper County Fair • July 2017 – Page 7
Michener crowned JCF Queen, Holdeman named Princess By Justin Jagler Newton Daily News Two 17-year-olds became Jasper County royalty at the county fair’s Roundup and Rodeo in June. Jaclyn Michener, of Newton, was crowned Jasper County Fair Queen, and Codi Holdeman, of Reasnor, was named Jasper County Fair Princess. Michener, who will be a senior at Newton High School this fall, grew up admiring previous fair queens. The fair queen contest is a great opportunity to grow in communication and leadership, she said. The newly-crowned queen is supported by her parents, Tanya and Matt Michener, and brother Levi. She has participated in swim team as an Aquagirl for three years, been on student council for three years and played saxophone in the NHS band for two years. Michener spent time at the Teachers Career Academy and wants to become a middle school science teacher. She wants to promote involvement in the fair and 4-H, a club she has been in for seven years. What’s the queen’s favorite part of the Jasper County Fair? “It’s definitely the people in
Justin Jagler/Daily News Newly-crowned Jasper County Fair Queen Jaclyn Michener, right, and Princess Codi Holdeman, left, wave to a cheering crowd just before the horse riding commences at the county fair’s Roundup and Rodeo in June.
4-H and competing in the fair and the Monday night parade,” Michener said. “Everybody from all the different towns in Jasper County comes together, and they’re all here playing games,
talking to people and it’s great.” When 2016 Queen Emily Miller was going back and forth with the crown among the 2017 contestants, Michener almost couldn’t believe it was happen-
ing when the crown was placed atop her head. “I felt it hit my head, and I go ‘No. No way,’” Michener said. “I was ecstatic.” Holdeman said running for fair queen was a great way for her to give back to the county fair. The 2017 princess said her favorite part of the fair is the family atmosphere. “I’ve never missed a fair since I was born, so I thought this would be an amazing opportunity to just give back to them and work hard and try my best,” Holdeman said. Holdeman is the daughter of Mike and Kristin Holdeman and a junior at Pella Community High School. She’s involved in FFA, 4-H County Council, choir and show choir. She is also a football manager for the Pella Dutch. By being active at the fair for the last 12 years, Holdeman has learned how to be confident in herself and how to work with the people around her, she said. She wants to get more people involved in the Jasper County Fair. “I think a priority should be to try to get more young people involved in the fair and start more open class shows,” Holdeman said.