'I honestly didn't expect it, I was shocked'

Vinton County Fair Queen and Court were crowned Saturday at the Terry Fout Stage at the Vinton County Fairgrounds.

Gabby Champion was crowned as the 2024 Queen with First Attendant being Makayla Harris, and Second Attendant as Camdyn Ackley. Other Fair royals who were crowned include as King, as Prince, 3rd and 4th Grade Attendant-Paige Robinette, 5th and 6th Grade Attendant-Olivia Case, and 7th and 8th Grade Attendant-Lily Hurne. No prince was named this year, but maybe that’ll change at the next fair.

Champion said she was shocked when it was announced that she would be crowned as queen.

“I honestly didn’t expect it, I was shocked,” she said. “I wasn’t too sure on how I did in my interview as some of the other girls were told they did amazing but I wasn’t told anything so I went into pageant day telling myself that I would just do the best I can do on stage and not matter win or lose I will know.”

Champion continued, “I did my best. When my name and contestant number were called, my jaw dropped. I thought all the girls did amazing so I made sure to give them all a hug and told them they did great and to be proud of what they did today (Saturday).”

Vinton County High School Class of 2023, Champion, 19, daughter of Brian and Marie Champion, a sophomore at Ohio University in Athens, is majoring in graphic design — she wants to be a graphic designer.

While at Ohio University, Champion is involved in Thread Magazine as a graphic designer. While at VCHS, Champion was in the Beta Club, Director’s choir, Vikings’ players, and she threw the shot put and discus for the track and field team.

Champion has been involved in 4-H since she was 3 years old.

“My club called me a ‘baby bud’ since I was too young to be a Cloverbud. I have been a part of the Hamden Engineers for all of those years,” she said.

Champion raises animals for the livestock auction.

“I take rabbits to the fair and have for the past seven years, but in the past I have taken chickens and one year I took a goat,” she said.

Champion said she is ready to travel near and far across the state to represent the Vinton County Jr. Fair.

“I am so ready, 4-H has giving me so much in life so I would love to give back and represent such a beautiful organization,” she said.

Champion has been competing in pageants since she was a little girl.

“I have been in pageants since the age of 3 or 4,” she said. “My first big one was Little Miss Vinton county — I was the 2011 Little Miss Vinton County 2nd attendant. In my elementary and middle school years I tried out for this pageant many times in hopes of getting on and I got on for my second title in 2019 as the 2019 Vinton county jr fair 7th and 8th grade attendant, then in 2022 I tried out for Miss Vinton county. Unfortunately I didn’t get on but it gave me the opportunity to try out for the christmas in downtown pageant where I received the honor of being their 2022 queen and to now being the 2024 Vinton County Jr Fair Queen.”

Champion talked about the best part about Fair week.

“The best part of fair week is seeing all the support our small county gives to us exhibitors,” she said. “I see people every show who I know don’t have kids in the ring but still come to support anyway.”

Champion said the best part about growing up in Vinton County is the people.

“The best part is it being a small town I have met so many people who have become like family to me,” she said. “I have about 4 other mothers who spoil me like I’m their own and I think that is harder to come by in larger counties or cities.”