By Crystal Hayduk, photo gallery at bottom by Megan Hayduk
“If you think you can, you will. If you think you can’t, you’re right,” said Madison Brodeur as part of her acceptance speech after being named the 2018 Chelsea Community Fair Queen on Aug. 24.
With tears of happiness, Brodeur accepted the crown from the 2017 Fair Queen, Savanna Burchett. By the time Brodeur learned of her new title, she had already been voted Miss Congeniality by the other candidates, and received the talent award from the judges for playing the violin.
Brodeur, the daughter of Rosie and Joe Brodeur, is entering her junior year at Chelsea High School. She is a violinist in the school’s symphony orchestra and plays Celtic music with Chelsea House Orchestra. Her prince was her younger brother, Dominic, and her sponsor was Dayna Mae Photography.
Her favorite thing about the Chelsea Community Fair is sharing her exhibits and viewing the work of others. She enjoys spending time with her family and cooking. In five years, she sees herself finishing her college degree in the “pursuit of happiness.”
During the interview portion of the contest, Brodeur was asked why she entered the fair queen contest. She said that she entered specifically “…to step out of my comfort zone. It has turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life – to dress up and have fun with and getting to know the other wonderful candidates.”
For winning the contest, Brodeur receives a crown, two sashes, a trophy, a floral bouquet, and a scholarship for $1,000.
Makenna Kern of Chelsea was named first runner-up. The daughter of Jill and Kevin Kern, she won the title of 2018 Junior Champion Homemaker earlier in the day. She sees herself in five years as having a career in the United States Navy. Her talent was playing the guitar and singing. Her princess was Harper Kies, and her sponsors were Family Farm and Home and Parts Peddler.
Amanda LaRoe, a sophomore at Dexter High School, is the daughter of Ed and Lisa LaRoe. The second runner-up is on her schools’ equestrian team, and shared information about the sport as her talent. She sees herself in five years as finishing a college program in child care and opening her own day care with a petting zoo. Her princess was Ella Naebeck, and her family was her sponsor.
The evening’s entertainment included music by Ciara Lesko, puppetry by Shelby Tomshany, and an aerial silks performance by 2017 Queen Savanna Burchett.
