Submitted by Nancy Engelke
For the first time in the history of Wirt County three residents from
the county will be competing for the title of Miss West Virginia
Association of Fairs and Festivals this week-end in Charleston. Over 45
people will attend from the Wirt County Fair, the Ripley 4th of July
Fair and the Beef Industry Council to support the young women as they
vie for the crown.
The first contestant is 18 year old Ashlee Small of Newark, W.Va.
Ashlee is the daughter of Carol Burns and Michael Small and is
representing Wirt County as the 2003 Wirt County Fair Queen. A freshman
at Fairmont State College, Ashlee is studying marketing. In addition to
attending school full time, Ashlee is employed at Sears and Pacific
Sunwear in Bridgeport. She is an active member of the Newark Baptist
Church.
The second contestant is 20 year old Melissa Offutt of Elizabeth, W.Va.
Melissa is the daughter of Lention and Karen Offutt. Miss Offutt will
be representing the West Virginia Beef Expo. Melissa is a Junior at
Marshall University majoring in Public Relations. While at Marshall,
Melissa is involved in Campus Crusade for Christ and Public Relation
Student Society of America.
The third contestant from Wirt County is 21 year old Jennifer Baileys of
Elizabeth, W.Va. Jennifer is the daughter of Charles and Susan
Baileys. Jennifer will be representing the Ripley 4th of July
Festival. A Junior at Marshall University, Jennifer is majoring in
Broadcast Journalism with a minor in Psychology. Jenny is on the sports
staff of Marshall's Radio Station WMUL 88.1 FM and volunteers at the
Ronald McDonald house in Huntington.
Each girl will compete in four phases of competition for the title. The
first competition is their 30-second commercial for their particular
fair or festival. The second phase is street wear and the third phase
is the personal interview with the five judges and the final phase is
evening gown which is held following the banquet at the Civic Center in
Charleston.
They are expecting around one thousand people at the
banquet and 66 queens from around the state competing for the West
Virginia Fairs and Festivals Queen title. For further information on
the pageant visit www.wvfairsandfestivals.com or call toll free
1-888-982-3247.
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