By Crystal Hayduk
Katie Wickman won the 2021 Chelsea Community Fair Queen in front of a large and appreciative crowd in the multi-purpose arena on Aug. 27.
At first, Wickman was speechless after being crowned by the 2019 Fair Queen Madison Welshans. After taking several moments to compose herself, she thanked her family for their support and said she looked forward to serving the Chelsea community for the next year.
“Even though there’s a crown on my head, all of these lovely ladies deserve a crown on their heads, too, for all of their hard work,” she said.
Wickman also received the talent award from the judges for singing an original song and playing the guitar. The piece was a gentle ballad about her family and humble home.
Wickman, the daughter of Amy Mitchell and Jason Wickman, is entering her senior year at Chelsea High School. She has been participating in the fair for as long as she can remember, starting out in the kiddie parade.
Wickman has entered a variety of projects in the exhibit barn annually for many years, even being named Junior Champion Homemaker in 2015 and being named Homemaker Runner-up at Ladies Day for 2021. She enjoys singing the National Anthem at the fair, as well. Her sponsor was the Rotary Club of Chelsea. Her princess was Remi Scheffler.
During the interview portion of the contest, Wickman was asked why she entered the fair queen contest. She said that as a high school senior, this was her final opportunity to run. She was inspired by her grandmother, who has helped her to become the person she is today.
As fair queen, Wickman receives a scholarship for $1,000, a crown, two sashes, a trophy, and a floral bouquet.
Katie Krueger, a senior at Dexter High School, was named first runner-up. She is the daughter of Holly and David Krueger. Her talent was reciting the Alphabet Aerobics, a crowd-pleasing, upbeat, rhythmic piece. Her sponsor was Shear Bliss, and her princess was Gwen Filip.
Kierstin Norris, a junior at Grass Lake High School, was the second runner-up. She is the daughter of Tyler and Sarah Norris. Her talent was reciting three poems that she wrote. She was sponsored by Thompson’s Pizza, and her princess was Hyaylee Kalmbach.
Claire DeVoogd, a senior at Dexter High School, was the third runner-up and selected by the other queen candidates as Miss Congeniality. She is the daughter of Craig and Diane DeVoogd. Her talent was tap dancing. She was sponsored by KD Equipment Sales, and her princess was Amy Heiss.
Welshans, the outgoing queen, had served the Chelsea community for two years because of the pandemic-related cancellation of the usual fair festivities in 2020. She shared a few stories with the audience about what it’s been like to serve as queen virtually at times, and said the last two years have taught her to be flexible and patient. She said since becoming fair queen, she has blossomed and found her voice. She thanked her mother for supporting her and encouraging her to take risks.
Welshans told the candidates she prays they each have a “growth mindset and undaunting confidence.”
