Young named 2024 Dairy Festival Queen, Miss Congeniality and receives Talent Award

Young named 2024 Dairy Festival Queen, Miss Congeniality and receives Talent Award Image

• Coryn Young beams as she begins her walk across stage as the official 2024 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen. See page 10 for more pageant photos.
• Coryn Young, daughter of Shandis and Cory Young, was named 2024 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen at the conclusion of Saturday's pageant. Young also was honored as the Tracey Gold Fox Miss Congenitality Award recipeint and won the Talent Contest. Staff photos by Faith Huffman

Faith Huffman Wed, 06/19/2024 - 05:55 Subhead Hopkins County Dairy Festival Pageant Body

Coryn Young cleaned up at the Dairy Festival, winning not only the crown but several other awards at the Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queens Coronation Pageant as well.

Young, the daughter of Shandis and Cory Young, first was selected as the recipient of the Tracey Gold Fox Miss Congeniality Award. She then received the Talent Award, which comes with a $500 scholarship. As the 2024 Dairy Festival Queen, Young received a spray of flowers, a silver tray and will receive a $1,250 scholarship.

As first runner-up Sedona McCollom, daughter of Amy Chandler, is first in line if for any reason Young is unable to fulfill her duties as queen. She also was awarded flowers and a silver tray, and will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

Second runner-up is Alaina Johnson, daughter of Matt and Karla Johnson. She too was awarded a silver tray, flowers and will receive a $750 scholarship. She also was recognized for selling the most tickets: $1,510 worth.

Third-runner up and the recipient of a $500 scholarship, silver tray and flowers is Aspen Mayhew, daughter of Jeremy and Nicole Mayhew.

Zoe Reed, daughter of Coby and Chesley Reed and Jennifer Smitth Reed, also was recognized for having the second highest ticket sales, $1,440 worth.

All of the young ladies who competed in the 2024 Dairy Festival Queens Coronation Pageant are commended for stepping out of their comfort zone to compete, make new friends and memories they will take with them for the rest of their lives. Each sold tickets, decorated a float and rode on it in the parade, competed in evening gown and talent competitions, milked cows, helped crew the hot air balloons during the first weekend of the pageant, and had a one-onone interview with the pageant judges.

The pageant contestants and contestants’ parents who collected the most milk in their pails during the annual Milking Contest were recognized.

Contestant Bryana Ruiz’s grandfather, Aurelio Sanchez, and mother, Veronica Ruiz, won first place among parents. Coby and Chesley Reed, contestant Zoe Reed's parents, finished second, and contestant Kobi McCoy's parents, Deanna and Robert Mc-Coy, came in third in the Milking Contest. Contestant Aspen Mayhew easily grabbed first among contestants, with Coryn Young in second and Bryana Ruiz third in the Milking Contest. Thanks was given to Kris and Miki Koon for providing the cows for the Milking Contest, Bryan McInnis for serving as MC, and to Maxine Hanning and Cathey Williams for serving as judges.

Three 'Little Kids,' or Moo-seum Minis as they were described during the 2024 pageant, participated in the parade, riding in a golf cart or similar conveyance and in costume designed to reflect this year’s theme, “Night at the Moo-seum.”

Pair one consisted of Ellis Chenault, son of Eric and Cecily Chenault, and cousin Harper Adams, daughter of Neal and Courtney Adams, who dressed as dairy farmers. They won second place in the parade.

Pair two consisted of Payton Fatland, son of Cameron and Ashten Fatland, and Jaxson Roan, son of Cole and Jacy Roan. They won a plaque for being the first place winner.

Pair 3 consisted of Anna Sinclair, daughter of Christina Sinclair and Stephen Sinclair, and Axton Davis, daughter of Rhet Davis and Krystiene Korsmo-Davis. All of the Moo-seum minis received a trophy for their participation in the parade.

The rest of the parade entries were judged based on workmanship, details, use of dairy products and interpretation of the “Night at the Moo-seum” theme.

Second place among non-profit entries went to Sulphur Springs Corvette Club, and first went to Melba’s Kreations.

The overall commercial winner for their parade entry was Saputo.

W.C. Pryor was recognized as the 2024 parade marshal, for his 35 years in the dairy business.

2023 Dairy Festival Queen Caroline Prickette, daughter of John and Gena Prickette, had the honor of presenting awards to recipients and crowning Young 2024 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen. She also noted she’d be headed to Baylor and considered it an honor to get to represent the dairy industry and farmers as 2023 Dairy Festival Queen.

Prickette sang “Pure as the Driven Snow,” from the most recent Hunger Games movie soundtrack. While the judges’ votes were being tallied, Brad Cumming and Haydn also sang.

The Propane Company and Mr. Charles Askins was recognized for donating 100% of fuel for hot air balloons at the 20th Annual Hot Air Balloon Rally.

Additional festival underwriters included Credit Union of Texas, Boehringer Ingelheim/Heartgard, Dairy Max and Southwest Dairy Museum/farmers.

Serving as usherettes, taking tickets and handing out programs before this year’s pageant were Molly Keaton, Lucy McKenzie, Claire Monk, Jolea Moore, Hattie Thompson, Tatum Thompson and Abbey Williams.

Serving as master of ceremonies for the 63rd Annual Dairy Festival Pageant was Israel Lewis.

Judges included Missy Lyda, Denita Young, Terry McGonigal, Jeff Cochran and Ana Lemons. Emily Glass served as auditor.