New Chelsea Community Fair Queen will be Chosen Friday

Courtney Cook, 18, of Lima Township, hopes to tread in her sister Heather’s footsteps and win the Chelsea Community Fair Queen crown her sibling won in 2008.

She’ll face stiff competition from Bonnie Bairley, Samantha Bies, Marieke De Meijer, Tonya Heimerdinger, and Kaylin Zocharski, all vying in the 2012 pageant at 7 p.m. Aug. 24 at the Chelsea Fairgrounds, when 2011 winner will crown her successor.

The new queen will receive her crown and scholarship at the ceremony. The first runner-up will receive a scholarship and trophy; second and third place winners will also receive trophies, as will winners of the Miss Congeniality and talent contest.

The daughter of Phil and Terri Cook, Courtney graduated this past spring from , and is heading to Central Michigan University to study public relations.

“I hope to work for the University of Michigan Hospital's Marketing Department,” she said.

For her talent portion of the pageant, Courtney – sponsored by the Rick Eder Agency – will show off sewing and design skills with a fashion show.

Courtney, who will enter sewing, canning, baked goods, and numerous competitions during the fair, said she enjoys the annual tractor pulls the best.

“I used to show lambs and pigs, but will not be having animals this year,” she said. “I always look forward to the auction because it gives me a chance to see people I don’t see year round.”

She also participates in Washtenaw County 4-H, softball, cheerleading, several school clubs, and is in the youth group at .

Kaylin Zocharski, 15, sponsored by the Chelsea Rotary Club, is a sophomore at Chelsea High School and enjoys history, band, and water polo. The daughter of Lisa and Phil Zocharski of Chelsea, Kaylin enjoys viewing the barn animals and is looking forward to taking part in the children’s parade on Tuesday and Saturday’s closing parade.

Her college plans are to attend Michigan State University to pursue a career in music as a band director. She will play the French horn in the pageant.

Samantha Bies, 17, daughter of Lima Township residents Chad and Carrie Trinkle, is a senior at Dexter High School. She is a varsity cheerleader who enjoys art and history and plans to attend the Huron Valley Beauty Academy & Business School.

She is a member of the 4-H Rogers Corners Herdsmen, secretary of the 4-H Riske Riders, is in the Washtenaw County 4-H Exchange Program, is a member of the DHS equestrian team, and secretary of the Chelsea Dexter Steer Club.

She enjoys watching the Chelsea Fair Demolition Derby, showing her steer and lambs, and entering exhibits. Her talent portion of the pageant will be educating and showing her lamb.

Chelsea High School senior Bonnie Bairley, 17, enjoys playing in the orchestra, speaking Spanish, and learning about society and culture. The daughter of Dexter Township residents Susan and Paul Bairley, Bonnie spent seven weeks of eight-hour dance days this summer with the , her fair sponsor.

“I take a lot of dance classes at Dance Arts of Chelsea during the week, and rehearse with Youth Dance Theatre on the weekends. Outside of the dance realm I love to do yoga, hike nature paths, travel, write, attend church, and spend time with animals. I really love to hang out with my close friends and family," she said.

Bonnie is entering the arts division at the fair, and looks forward to visiting horses in the barns. For the pageant, she will dance a solo.

Bonnie intends to double major in dance and social sciences and has her sights set on Barnard College of Columbia University, as well as other schools in the New York area and in Michigan.

Tonya Heimerdinger, 17, a senior at Chelsea High School, is the daughter of Lucy Heimerdinger.

Tonya, who has competed for the National Barrel Horse Association Youth World Championship in Jackson, Miss., is part of Jackson County 4-H, is on the Chelsea Equestrian Team, and competes at the fair.

A member of the Chelsea Equestrian Team since the 6th grade, she competed at the high school equestrian team MIHA State Championships in 2009 and 2010 and designed the winning 2011 logo entry for the MIHA State Championship.

Marieke de Meijer, 14, is a freshman at Chelsea High School, where she enjoys choir – and will sing at the pageant. Sponsored by the Cynthia Barton-Spencer Farm Bureau Insurance Agency, she is looking forward to riding in the parades, midway rides, viewing the animals, watching the Demolition Derby and spending time with friends at the fair.

The daughter of Jill and Harry de Meijer, Marieke is entering decorated cupcakes, cookies, and a photograph in the fair. She is also volunteering at the Knights of Columbus trailer on Tuesday night during the Demolition Derby.

Hannah Linteau is looking forward to her final duties as fair queen.

“I honestly can’t wait to pass the crown,” she said. “I remember the feeling last year, and to share that will be a great experience. The girls and I ... got to meet each other, and have bonding time. These girls are genuinely great girls. I can’t wait to find out the 2012 queen."

This year’s winner will join a long line of Chelsea Community Fair Queens dating back to 1950. In honor of the 75th anniversary of the fair, a special event will be held for past pageant winners.

Fair Queens 1950-2011

Wanda Eschelbach (1950), Judy Hough (1951), Sally Vogel (1952), Ruth Ann Stapish (1953), Sharon Dancer (1954), Helen Jane Morgan (1955), Marlene Kuhl (1956), Karen McAllister (1957), Elaine Walker (1958), Carol Reddeman (1959), Margot Murphy (1960), Nancy Carter (1961), Judy Weinkauf (1962), Carol Mayer (1963), Cindy Schumm (1964), Charlene Powers (1965), Roxanne Shears (1966), Dianne Stoffer (1967), Sarah Lindauer (1968), Jane Mann (1969), Laurie Lancaster (1970), Cathy Clark (1971), Judi Blaess (1972), Jodi Daniels (1973), Kim Young (1974), Brenda Shadoan (1975), Beth Flanigan (1976), Sarah Barnhill (1977), Julie Botsford (1978), Melanie Schneider (1979), Nancy Heller (1980).

Beth Heller (1981), Carine Brown (1982), Tanya Mattoff (1983), Mary Grifka (1984), Susan Overdorf (1985), Susan Schmunk (1986), Laurie Honbaum (1987), Jennifer McAfee (1988), Holly Koscielniak (1989), Christine Dunlap (1990), Rebecca Dehring (1991), Betsy Scroosh (1992), Aimee Hatch (1993), Melody Smith (1994), Tracy Dufek (1995), Sally Walters (1996), Amanda Warren (1997), Katie Parker (1998), Sarah Maynard (1999).

Molly Welton (2000), Stephanie Fischer (2001), Emily Leidner (2002), Mia Lancioni (2003), Mandy Kitchens (2004), Casey Sullens (2005), Becky Allen (2006), Jamie Innis (2007), Heather Cook (2008), Sarah Conrad (2009), Kennedy Aldrich (2010), Hannah Linteau (2011).