Meet Courtney Cook of Dexter, who graduated from Dexter High School this year and is headed to Central Michigan University. The daughter of Phil and Terri Cook, she put on an amazing fashion show of clothing she’d made, including the beautiful dress she wore in the show and won the talent competition.
Cook enjoys volunteering and giving back to the community. “It’s the best feeling in the world working with others because you learn about yourself,” she said.
She was sponsored by Rick Eder from Farm Bureau Insurance.
First runner-up and Miss Congeniality was Samantha Bies of Dexter. Daughter of Chad and Carrie Trinkle, she showed one of her lambs for the talent portion, and managed to get it up and down the stairs to the stage.
Bies was sponsored by Roger’s Corners Herdsmen.
Second runner-up was Tonya Heimerdinger of Chelsea, daughter of Lucy Heimerdinger. Tonya brought her horse into the arena for the talent portion of the Fair Queen competition and showed the crowd some of her equestrian talents, guiding her horse from the ground. In addition, she got up on the horse and stood on its back. She was sponsored by Frame Hardwoods, Inc., Chelsea Plank Flooring.
Nina White got the evening started by singing a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem. She is in seventh grade at Beach Middle School.
Merieke de Meijer of Chelsea, daughter of Jill and Harry de Meijer, began the talent portion by singing. She was sponsored by Cynthia Barton, Spencer Agency Farm Bureau Insurance.
Kaylin Zocharski of Chelsea, daughter of Lisa and Phil Zocharski, played the French horn for the talent competition and was sponsored by the Chelsea Rotary Club.
Bonnie Bairley of Chelsea, daughter of Susan and Paul Bairley, danced a number she’d choreographed and dedicated to a friend who recently died. She was sponsored by Youth Dance Theatre of Michigan.
The 2012 Junior Princesses were Cassidy Kunzelman, Allison Hale, Lucy Young, Emily Trinkle, Emma Zocharski and Madeleine Budenears-Kennedy.
In addition,19 former Chelsea Fair Queens returned to the stage as part of the 75th Annual Chelsea Community Fair, including Laurie (Honbaum) Appier who won in 1987 and emceed the competition.
