By JANE CURTIS

In its latest iteration, nine young women are vying for a crown in the annual Hamilton County Fair Queen Contest.

They are: Lexi Collins, of Stratford; Kendyl Daniels, of Duncombe; Addison Hayes, of Webster City; Amanda Ostrem, of Stanhope; Morgan Paulson, of Boone; Kaitlyn Schroeder, of Radcliffe; Dakota Oberender, Lauren Vold, and Emily Waugh, all of Jewell.

The coronation is Wednesday evening at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds, 1200 Bluff St., Webster City. It begins at 6 p.m.

Kendyl Daniels

Each of these young women have been active in FFA during their high school years. But each have also put their own stamp on their high school careers. Here’s a sampling of their successes.

Lexi Collins, of Stratford

Collins, 18, attended South Hamilton High School. One particular moment in her young adulthood stands out: “(I) worked at a grocery store, (a) customer fell ill, and I performed CPR on her until paramedics arrived.”

She plans to attend Des Moines Area Community College in her quest to become a veterinarian technician. Until then, she enjoys riding her horses, hunting, fishing and shopping.

“I have participated in the fair since I was 5 and I think it would be a fun and exciting opportunity,” she says of the queen contest.

Addison Hayes

In high school, she was involved in basketball and track. Outside of school, she is a member of the Stanhope Parish Church and volunteered for Watermelon Day.

Also, she’s a 4-H’er.

“I have been a nine-year member of the Clear Lake Sailors 4-H club … Throughout the years I have shown horses and sheep. I have also done horticulture and natural resources.”

She is the daughter of Ben and Liz Collins.

Kendyl Daniels, of Duncombe

Dakota Oberender

Daniels, 17, attended Webster City High School. One of her leadership roles last year was as the varsity boys wrestling manager. It enabled her to help mentor the younger managers, she said.

She also played varsity girls soccer. She attends St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, volunteering efforts through to church to help others take care of their yards when they are unable, and helping with holiday initiatives.

One of her big hobbies is auto racing. She helps at the races anytime she can. But at the fair, she has also shown chickens and volunteered when it comes time to clean the show arena. That’s rounded out by fun in the outdoors, camping, kayaking, swimming and spending time with her family.

Next, though, she is off to Iowa State University to study agriculture. “I plan to specialize in agronomy or ag education.”

She’d like to be queen. “It would be a great honor and responsibility to represent Hamilton County at the State Fair,” she said. “Being more involved in my community more than I already am would be amazing.”

Amanda Ostrem

She is the daughter of Regina Ratzke and Terry Daniels.

Addison Hayes, 17

Hayes attended Webster City High School.

“My time at the fair started as a little girl in the Bucket & Bottle program showing sheep, a goat, and bottle calf. Once old enough, I joined the Cass Red Cardinals 4-H group that involved many activities. I have participated in the livestock shows with pigs and rabbits.”

Other projects include sewing and cooking. “I have helped with beef weigh-in, Junior Rabbit program, and Bacon Bits program.”

Morgan Paulson

In high school, she cheered both football and wrestling, took part in the Dance Marathon, and helped bring Donkey Basketball to town. She dances with The Dance Connection, crafts, camps and works with animals. She headed to a post-secondary education in PTA.

She is a part of MAC Life Youth, helped teach Sunday School, and assist with the nursery. She has also volunteered during the Williams Fourth of July celebration and the Webster City Fire Department open house.

“I would like to be the Hamilton County Fair Queen because of my years of participation in the fair and how much I have enjoyed it. I want to share all the exciting times that can be had at our fair.”

Her parents are Brandon and Charity Hayes.

Amanda Ostrem, 18

Ostrem attended South Hamilton.

“I have been involved in the Hamilton County Fair since I joined 4-H in fourth grade. Every year at the fair I show dogs, horses and pigs while also bringing exhibits to the 4-H and open class buildings,” she said.

“When I’m not showing animals, there’s a good chance I am in the 4-H building volunteering through a program or keeping watch. Furthermore, I participate in the county communications contest. Before I could be in 4-H and FFA, I was involved in the fair by showing bottle lambs and goats, bringing photography to the open class building, and participating in the ugly cake contest.”

Her hobbies are riding horses, training dogs, reading, photography, hiking and playing board games.

At high school she was involved in marching, concert, pep and honor bands. She was in choir and honor choirs, played basketball and golf, participated in large group and individual speech, National Honor Society, National and Global Youth Institute through the World Hunger Program, and Hamilton County Rotary Club.

She’s a member of Elim Youth Group, through it going on national mission trips, and she has tutored refugee children through Zion Lutheran Church, Des Moines. She teaches preschool Sunday School, is part of the Children’s Cancer Squad whenever possible, and helped fundraise for the Festival of Trees and Lights for Blank Children’s Hospital.

Through Enhance Hamilton County, Ostrem is a member of Youth in Philanthropy. She’s a volunteer at the Iowa State Fair and a member of the Hamilton County Saddle Club.

Ahead of her is the completion of her associate degree at DMACC, then a transfer to Iowa State University to study agricultural communications.

“I would like to be the Hamilton County Fair Queen because the fair has provided me with endless opportunities for growth, leadership, and service over the years, and I would like to pay that back to the fair and to the rest of the community using the skills I have gained. … I have dreamed of one day being the fair queen so that I can be that inspiration to other young girls who are just like I was. Even more so, I would be honored to represent Hamilton County, the county I am glad to call my home.”

Her parents are Janie and Jared Ostrem.

Dakota Oberender, 16

Oberender wants to eventually become a veterinarian when she leaves South Hamilton High School. First, she plans to major in animal science at ISU, then hopes to attend its School of Veterinary Medicine.

In the meantime, “I am very involved in the Hamilton County Fair with showing sheep and cattle at the fair, along with showing I am a leader with the Hamilton County Bottle Animal project.”

In high school, she’s in softball and weight training through Premier.

“I’ve held many leadership positions in high school so far with serving as this year’s vice president of the South Hamilton FFA Chapter and serving last year as sentinel.”

She’s also been secretary of the Lyon Kings 4-H club for two years.

“I would like to be crowned as the Hamilton County Fair Queen because it would further my involvement in the fair and Hamilton County as a whole.”

Her parents are Scott and Kristie Oberender.

Morgan Paulson, of Boone

Paulson, 17, attended Roland Story High School.

In school, she has been involved in meal packaging, farm safety, extemporaneous speaking, ag sales, pet education, National Honor Society, Haunted High School, Meals on Wheels, Teacher Breakfast, Spanish Club, Dance Marathon, Pink Out Games, FCCLA: A Way For Will, blood drive, fall play and spring musical.

Her fair experience began when she was quite young.

“I have been involved in the Hamilton County Fair since fourth grade. I have shown dogs, rabbits, dairy goats, and horses. I have also participated in static exhibits like food and nutrition, sewing, needle art, and photography. I help prepare and work on various activities with Hamilton County Youth Council. I

also help with our 4-H float for the fair parade and host the 4-H building with my 4-H club. I am and have been involved in Pride of Iowa, working exhibits, Fashion Review, and presentations.

Paulson has been president, vice president, secretary and historian of Stratford Spirit 4-H. Through 4-H she had participated in pizza fundraiser, Blanket & Pillowcase Project, Billboard Committee, decorated the tree at Athens Woods, flower box projects, and has, through the Hamilton County Saddle Club, ridden in shows and parades, including the Watermelon Day Parade, the Jewell Jubilee Parade, and Dayton Rodeo Parade.

Through Stratford’s First Baptist Church, she’s been involved in the Santa Lucia program.

Paulson intends to become a dentist.

“I would like to be the Hamilton County Fair Queen because I am passionate about all of the communities that I am surrounded by and want to make a positive impact on them.”

Her parents are Chris and Amanda Paulson.

Kaitlyn Schroeder, 18

Schroeder attended South Hamilton.

In that time, she participated in marching, concert and pep bands, managed some sports teams, and was involved in speech, plays and musicals throughout her four years. She was senior leader of the high school band, as well as leading the instrument section. She was on Prom Committee and in charge of concession stands. She helped with Harvest Meal, the blood drive, and tied blankets for the Children’s Hospital.

In 4-H, she was in the Bucket-Bottle project and Clover Kids when very young, and participated in Lyon Kings 4-H projects that included home improvement, clothing, photography and livestock. She has assisted new families with their goats for the fair.

Her hobbies include spending time with her friends, watching the news filsm in theaters, reading, and raising, selling, showing, and working with livestock.

Her future plan is to attend DMACC in dental assisting and hygiene.

“I grew up around the fair and always looked up to the Fair Queen. My mom especially loved the Fair Queen and the leadership opportunities it brings. I knoe that me running for Fair Queen was very important to her. My sister ran a few years ago and seeing the things she learned and the roles she played only made me want to run more. I’m also excited to be given an opportunity to represent Hamilton County and the fair itself. I’m never afraid to take on a challenge and try new things and learn along the way.”

Her father is Mark Schroeder.

Lauren Vold, 17

Vold attends South Hamilton. Throughout that time she has been involved in volleyball, golf, band, and National Honor Society.

She rides and shows horses as a passion, likes to read, works out and pursues golf at leisure.

Horses factor greatly in her fair participation. She has been president of South Hamilton FFA, and volunteers through her church youth group, as well as through school opportunities.

Her plan is to pursue radiology in her post-secondary education.

“I would like to be the Hamilton County Fair Queen because I have been participating in the fair since I was very young, and I would like to be someone that the young girls who are just getting involved in the Hamilton County Fair can look up to. Whether it be showing livestock or participating in the Little Miss Pageant, I want to be a good role model to all.”

Her parents are Clark and Nicole Vold.

Emily Waugh, 18

Waugh, of South Hamilton High School, wants to be a television news anchor sometime in the future.

In high school, she has been co-captain of the dance team, in band, colorguard, co-captain of the football cheer squad, participated in both individual and large group speech activities, Hawk Media, Rotary Club, and National Honor Society.

She is a Presidential Award winner for her volunteer hours, has donated to food bank, participated in County 4-H Council, State 4-H Council, state reporter program, Rotary Club, has planted and maintained flowers in city park, made donations to the Lions Club, and, through her membership in Bethesda Lutheran made donations to its coat drive.

Her hobbies are her friends, dance, movie nights, concerts, her pets, and fostering through the local animal shelter. She has been secretary, photographer, recreational officer of her 4-H club.

Through the fair, she has participated in static exhibits, helps judges on judging day, ran for Age Olympics, shows rabbits, excelled in showmanship and clothing selection, been involved with Pride of Iowa, county communications, has helped with the junior rabbit show, and been in the Bill Riley Talent Show.

She plans to major in journalism and mass communications at Iowa State University.

“Ever since I was a child I have idolized the Fair Queen, Being the Hamilton County Fair Queen will give me an outlet to represent my community while pursuing my passion for pageantry. One thing that I learned this past year while being a 4-H report at the Iowa State Fair is the importance of agricultural education. As fair queen, I will be able to educate the younger generations about agriculture before they finish elementary school.”

Her parents are Kristine and Danny Waugh.

Addison Hayes

Dakota Oberender

Amanda Ostrem

Morgan Paulson

Lauren Vold

Emily Waugh

Lauren Vold

Emily Waugh

Kaitlyn Schroeder