Fears, 18, is Phelps County Fair Queen

Janey Fears became the 2009 Phelps County Fair Queen on Wednesday during its opening day, and then she offered some sage advice to contestants.

“Don’t give up. Each contest I’ve entered I’ve learned more,” Fears said. “I know it hurts, but they have to stick with it.”

Fears, the 18-year-old daughter of Donna and Wayne Fears, is a recent graduate of Rolla High School.

“I’m really happy about this. I know some may not be, but I definitely encourage them to enter again. This is my fifth pageant, and I’ve done better with each one,” said Fears with fiery red hair and green eyes.

Pageant Director Tina Malchert said Fears’ selection is the culmination of years of trying.

“I’m so happy for her. Some of these girls come from a tough background, so to see them have this kind of success is especially nice,” Malchert said. “After her last contest, she wrote me a letter thanking me for the help I gave her during practices. It was so touching; I encouraged her to try again,” said Malchert, who has no say in the final tallying.

There were three pageant judges — Amber Fields, Darsi Hammack and Mae Ferguson. Dee Brown served as statistician.

Four contests were decided Wednesday with more coming Saturday.

Serving as first runner-up to Fears in the Queen competition is Stephanie Wilson, who also was Miss Congeniality and voted the Most Talented. Brittany O’Hara was second runner-up and also won the Attendance Award and received the Director’s Choice Award, named for Marissa McCall, now 11, a contestant from years ago with cerebral palsy. Susan Geise was the third runner-up.

Fair Queen candidates range from 16 to 21 years.
Also decided Wednesday night was the Fair Princess, for young ladies from 13 to 15 years old of which Whitney Laney won the title. Laney also was selected Miss Congeniality.

First runner-up was Cheara Graham, followed by Kailyn McCall, Lacey Becerra and Kaitlyn King, who won the Attendance Award, as did Leah Ornealas and Janae Boggess.

Megan Studdard won the Junior Fair Princess title for girls 10 to 12 years old. Studdard also won an Attendance Award.

Lydia Hankins was first runner-up, also winning an Attendance Award, as did second runner-up Misty King, third runner-up Daley Blankenship and fourth runner-up Kathlyn Denson.

In the Little Fair Princess competition for girls 7 to 9 years, Brandy Jones was the winner, also receiving an Attendance Award and the Director’s Choice Award.

Ariana Young was first runner-up, also receiving an Attendance Award.

Second runner up was Paige Koob, followed by third runner-up Leah Russell who was an Attendance Award and Miss Congeniality and fourth runner-up April King, who also won the Attendance Award.

Fair Queen Fears plans on attending college to become a nail technician and a makeup artist.

Someday, she said, she dreams of creating her own in home business so she can be a stay-at-home mom.

She enjoys singing, dancing, writing, drinking coffee at Denny’s until the sun comes up, and most of all wrestling.

Today’s Phelps County Fair headliners include Kids Games registration at 5 p.m. (games begin at 6 p.m.), a Talent Show (6 p.m.), more Bull Riding (7 p.m.), karaoke (7 p.m.), and a performance by Josh Gibbs (8 p.m.).

Friday’s large attractions include Kids Games (5 p.m.), a performances by Cecil Williams (6:30 p.m.), Horseshoe Pitching competition (7 p.m.), the Truck and Tractor Pull (8 p.m.) and The Lost Outlaw Band (8 p.m.).

The Phelps County Fair will culminate Saturday with all-day activities that begin with the Little Mr. and Miss Pageants (9 a.m.), the Mud Run (10 a.m.), a Petting Zoo (10 a.m.), the Medieval Village (10 a.m.), Kids Games (11 a.m.), the Parent/Child Look-alike Contest (4 p.m.), and performances by Watching Judas (5:30 p.m.), No Leaf Clover (6:30 p.m.), The Pruett Family (7:30 p.m.), the Pierpoint (9 p.m.) and the Demolition Derby (8 p.m.).