By RICHIE HALL
The theme of this year’s Hamilton County 4-H Queen Pageant was “An Evening in Paris” – appropriate for Bastille Day, n’est-ce pas?
At the end of Friday’s pageant, there was considerable joie de vivre from Chloe Mills. The Cicero 10-year member of the Harey Hoppers was crowned as Hamilton County 4-H Queen for 2017. Mills’ name has now been added to the honor roll of 4-H Queens, which dates back to 1961.
“I was shocked and excited and so happy,” said Mills, 18, a Cicero resident who will be a freshman at Purdue University this fall.
There were 16 queen contestants at this year’s pageant, which took place at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds. The contestants all did interviews with the judges earlier Friday afternoon. At the pageant, the contestants modeled professional wear and evening wear, and were asked an impromptu question by Mistress of Ceremonies Mary Beth Riley.
“It was very nerve-wracking with the interview with the judges,” said Mills. But once she and the other contestants got on stage, Mills said the pageant “went by really fast” and was very easy-going.
Mills’ impromptu question revealed her favorite school subject, which many people don’t find easy-going: Math. Mills said she enjoys math “because I love challenging myself, and there’s always one way to do it, and that’s math.”
Mills said she also enjoyed meeting the other contestants, noting that they were people she wouldn’t have met if she hadn’t participated in the Queen Pageant.
“They were all so sweet,” said Mills. “We’ve all been friends. I’m very excited to be friends with them after the fair.”
“The whole pageant experience was wonderful,” said Mills. “I loved every second of it. It’s very educational and it prepares you for so much more in life with the interview.”
Mills and her court will be a major presence at the 4-H Fair, which runs from July 20-24 this year. The other members of the court include:
First runner-up: Viktoria Mills, 16, Westfield, of Carmel 4-C’s
Second runner-up: Emma Swain, 17, of Sheridan Ag
Third runner-up: Rebeca Hayes, 17, Noblesville, of Forest Hill
Fourth runner-up: Ashlyn Robertson, 16, of Progressive Farmers
Miss Congeniality: Crystal Xue, 17, of Carmel 4-C’s
“It’s such a great honor, particularly because it’s the peers that vote for you,” said Xue. “So it’s truly a testament to their greatness and how well that they performed.”
Xue enjoyed the Queen Pageant experience as well.
“I absolutely loved it,” she said. “It taught me so much about being confident in myself and learning new things, and of course being open.”
Right before the 2017 queen was announced, 2016 queen Rachel Adams spoke to the crowd. In addition, Phyllis Davis entertained the crowd with some piano selections while the judges were making their decision. This was her 50th pageant.
Chloe Mills waves to the crowd after she was crowned 2017 Hamilton County Queen at Friday’s Pageant, which took place at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds. (Richie Hall)
This year’s Hamilton County 4-H Court: Crystal Xue (Miss Congeniality); Ashleyn Robertson (Fourth runner-up), Rebeca Hayes (Third runner-up), Emma Swain (Second runner-up) and Viktoria Mills (First runner-up).
Phyllis Davis plays the piano, marking her 50th year at the 4-H Queen Pageant.