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By Carrie Hudson

Intern Reporter

Winning Miss Jessamine County Fair was something unexpected for the 2023 winner, Chloe Ralston on July 6.

“This is only my second pageant ever, so honestly, I didn’t expect to win. I was really just trying to build the confidence, so it was just another practice run for me. I thought I would just keep going, and compete in other pageants,” Ralston said after her victory.

Paige Flynn was 1st runner-up, and 2nd runner-up was Keaira Denny.

By winning Miss Jessamine County Fair, Ralston will receive an invitation to compete for Miss Kentucky Fair next January. This opportunity is something she is most looking forward to during her year with the Jessamine County title.

“Now, I am going to state and I’m super pumped. That is going to be exciting to prep for and get ready to do,” Ralston said.

Ralston was given a scholarship along with a bid to the state competition.

In the fall, she plans to begin attending Western Kentucky University to pursue a “medical pathway in the healthcare field. So the money will definitely go towards that, to help pay for college.”

Being new to pageants, Ralston has many groups of people who have helped her navigate the new territory. When asked if there is anyone in particular she would like to thank, Ralston immediately began to list off several people who have helped her along the way.

“I just want to say thank you to all of my friends and family for supporting me. Especially our Lincoln County directors. They’ve played a big part in fishing me into getting involved in pageants and helping me to learn how to do absolutely everything,” Ralston said.

She continued by expressing her gratitude and faith in God, stating she “wouldn’t be here without him. He has guided me through my whole journey and is my rock.”

During Ralston’s crowning, the 2022 winner, Ava Van Schaick, was there to present Ralston with the 2023 title and to say her farewell.

When reflecting on the past year as Miss Jessamine County Fair, Van Schaick spoke of the friendly atmosphere of Jessamine County and the helpfulness of the directors of the program.

“I love just being back home in Jessamine because everyone is so incredibly welcoming…And the directors, they have been absolutely wonderful. They have coached me throughout this whole process,” said Van Schaick.

Van Schaick additionally noted the opportunities she received through the connections made competing in the contest.

“One of the judges who judged me to win, I actually went and spoke to her school. I spoke to her students about science and gave them a really cool life lesson,” she said.

A piece of advice Van Schaick wants to leave for the 2023 Miss Jessamine County Fair is to become plugged within the Jessamine County community and embrace the experience while they have it.

“I think it is going to be a wild ride, but what you make of it is really important. I strove to go to different schools, speak to students, reach out, and just be a big part of the community because they are so invested in you,” Van Shaick said.