By Crystal Hayduk
Photo Gallery by Megan Hayduk at end of story
Sarah Murillo, a freshman at Dexter High School, won the opportunity to serve as the 2024 Chelsea Community Fair Queen on Aug. 23.
An energetic audience filled the multi-purpose arena for the annual fair queen program, which opened with “The Star-Spangled Banner,” sung beautifully by Paisley Myers.
Five candidates vied for the title this year.
Sarah is the daughter of Becky Murillo. For the talent portion of the contest, she demonstrated rabbit agility with her one-year-old Mini Rex. She was sponsored by Dan Waitz Encompass USA, and her little princess was Scottie Kroger.
After being crowned by the 2023 Fair Queen, Libby Wacker, Sarah thanked her mom for convincing her to compete, Scottie, her sponsor, and everyone who supports the program.
As queen, Sarah receives a $1,000 scholarship, the crown, a trophy, two sashes, and a floral bouquet.
Peyton Myers, a freshman at Chelsea High School, was named first runner-up. The daughter of Connie and Ben Myers, she also won the talent award for singing “Half of My Hometown” with some new words to reflect Chelsea and backed by a slideshow of her original photography. Myers was triple-sponsored by Home Instead, Farm Bureau Insurance and Chelsea Lumber; and her princesses were “Eila and McLoy.”
Ava Hamp, a sophomore at Grass Lake High School, took second runner-up. Her parents are Amanda and Joe Hamp. For the talent portion of the contest, she demonstrated baking chocolate chip cookies. Hamp was sponsored by Cattleman’s Coffee & Provisions of Grass Lake, and her little princess was Presley Myers.
The third runner-up was Rebekah Murillo, the new queen’s older sister and Becky Murillo’s daughter. She is a junior at Dexter High School. She gave a talk on her personal experience providing humanitarian aid with a photo slideshow. Rebekah was sponsored by Washtenaw Meats, and her little princess was Makenzie Crawford.
Makenzie Hilberer was named Miss Congeniality, an award voted on by the contestants. She is a sophomore at Grass Lake High School, and is a member of the varsity softball team who plays shortstop and pitcher. Hilberer gave an informative talk and demonstration of different pitches for her talent. The daughter of Chrissy and Phil Hilberer, she was sponsored by Davison Outdoor Service and Ann Arbor Rug and Carpet Cleaning. Her little princesses were Regan Vargo and Maya Gorny.
The evening’s entertainment included a dance routine by the contestants, and an archery demonstration by Wacker.
