Five area young ladies vying for county fair queen honors

​By J.O. Parker
 
    Five young ladies representing Grinnell, Malcom/Brooklyn, Montezuma and Deep River are seeking the title of the 2021 Poweshiek County Fair Queen.
   The pageant is slated for Thursday, July 15 at 5 p.m. at the fairgrounds. Due to COVID, all candidates, including the current queen, are eligible to run in 2021.
   The candidates are: 2020 Queen Hailey Heishman, Malcom; Emily Roberts, Deep River; Haylie Moore, Montezuma; Kassidy Mathes, Montezuma; and Megan Mauss, Grinnell.
    Following is a brief overview of each candidate:
Megan Mauss – Megan, a 2021 graduate of Grinnell High School, is the daughter of Dan and Nicole       Mauss.
    Megan is planning to complete her general education requirements at DMACC in Ankeny with plans to transfer to Iowa State University to earn a degree in animal science.
    She currently works at All Pets Veterinary Hospital and WinMor Farms, both Grinnell.
    In high school, Megan played basketball and participated in FFA. She is a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
    Her hobbies including hanging with friends/family, and showing and hanging out with pigs!
    When asked why she decided to run for queen, Megan said she wants to be a role model for other young ladies and promote agriculture.
   “I want to meet new friends and have fun,” she said. “I think it would be really awesome to represent Poweshiek County at the Iowa State Fair.” 
Hailey Heishman – Hailey, who will be entering her senior year at BGM High School this fall, is the daughter Eric and Amber Heishman. Hailey is the 2020 Poweshiek County Fair Queen and is seeking re-election to the role due to the Covid rule set into place by the fair board.
    When time permits, Hailey works part-time as a farmhand for the E and A Heishman Farms.
    Her current school activities include serving as captain of the BGM cross country team, and Bears Dance Team. She also runs long distance track.
    “I am president of my class and a member of the National Honor Society,” she said.
   Outside of school, Hailey is a member of the Studio 6 Dance Company Competition Team. She also serves as the Poweshiek Pioneers 4-H Club President and is the secretary of the Poweshiek County 4-H County Council.
    Her hobbies and interests including strengthening her dance skills, working with her goats, playing with her dog, Ellie May, and taking photos.
    Her future plans include attending Iowa State University to study animal science, with plans to further her education into veterinary medicine.
    When asked why she would like to continue her reign as Poweshiek County Fair Queen, Hailey said she wants to represent the hard work and dedication put into the fair by the 4-H and FFA members, and everyone who supports them.
Emily Roberts – Emily is a 2021 graduate of Tri-County High School and will be student at DMACC in Ankeny in the fall where she will be studying nursing. She is the daughter of Jason and Angela Roberts.
    Emily works as a CNA at the English Valleys Nursing Care Center and also works at Kwikstar.
   Emily enjoys participating in youth group (Hope YTH) at Community Hope Church in Montezuma. As a high school student, Emily played volleyball, basketball, cheer, football cheer, student council, FFA, speech and drama, National Honor Society, band and yearbook.
    “I am also a member of the Deep River Helping Hands 4-H Club, and served on the Poweshiek County Council,” she said.
    Her hobbies and interests include spending time with family, hanging out with friends, binge watching Grey’s Anatomy or FRIENDS, and her favorite, going shopping.
    When asked why she would like to be the 2021 Poweshiek County Fair Queen, Emily said when she was a little girls at the fair, she loved watching the queens.
    “They were such role models,” she said. “I would love to be that role model for young girls and inspire them to take part in the queen contest when they are older.”
Haylie Moore – Haylie, who will be entering her senior year at Montezuma High School this fall, is the daughter David and Deanna Moore.
    Haylie works on the Moore Family farm and works part-time with her dad at DDM Auto Transport.
  In school, Haylie is a member of the National Honor Society, FFA, band, Spanish club, and is the administrator of the Chinese adoption group.
  Her hobbies and interest include studying the Chinese language, showing animals, judging livestock, riding horses, gardening, cooking and traveling.
  Her future plans include attending Iowa State University to double major in biochemistry and global resource systems with a minor in Ag business.
   When asked why she would like to be the fair queen, Haylie said FFA, 4-H and agriculture has always been a longstanding tradition with her family.
    “I believe that it’s important to continue that tradition in today’s youth,” Haylie said. “I would especially like to encourage people from minorities to be involved in agriculture.”
Kassidy Mathes – Kassidy, who is entering senior year at Montezuma High School in the fall, is the daughter of Matt and Mandy Mathes.
   Kassidy works for her father at Quality Construction and also at Hometown Hardware, both in Montezuma.
   Her current activities include helping with T-ball, participating in the worship team at church, and working and taking part in National Honor Society activities.
    Kassidy’s hobbies and interests include spending time with friends, her boyfriend, and family. She also enjoys hanging around the farm.
    Her future plans include attending DMACC in Ankeny for two years and then wraping up her business degree at Iowa State University.
    When asked why she decided to run for fair queen, Kassidy said she wants to be a good role model and represent her community and county.
    “It would be a great honor to be named fair queen,” she said.
Little Miss Crowning
    Seven young girls are vying for the Little Miss Crowning, which will take place during the queen contest intermission. Those participating are Elsie Bayer, daughter of Lucas and Amber Bayer; Alyssa Latcham, daughter of Curtis and Amanda Latcham; Brielle Iverson, daughter of Chris and Cara Iverson; Lucy Semprini, daughter of Steve and Cheri Semprini; Ilee Lacaeyse, daughter of Joel and Jessie Lacaeyse; Shyanne Breeden,  daughter of Joe Breeden and Jamie Glass: and Hadley Criswell, daughter of Jeff and Tiffany Criswell.

Megan Mauss

Hailey Heishman

Emily Roberts

Haylie Moore

Kassidy Mathes