Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Amidst a frenzy of flashes the 50th Miss Ripley County was crowned Friday night, July 11 at the Batesville High School auditorium with Jordan Clements of Holton, taking the coveted title. Clements is the daughter of Bill and Christine Clements and a student at South Ripley High School. “It just doesn’t seem real,” she told the Osgood Journal, following the pageant.

Miss Congeniality title went to Kristin Wallpe of Batesville, daughter of Dan and Mary Wallpe; fourth runner-up is Ashley Carpenter of Osgood, who is the daughter of Bob and Lori Carpenter. Brittany Joseph of Holton, daughter of William and Shanna Joseph, took third runner-up; Jessica Ruble of Milan, was the second runner-up, and the daughter of Tony Ruble and Patty Ruble; and first runner-up went to Kaitlin Hughes of Osgood, daughter of Tom and Donna Hughes.

The Professional Wear Award went to Brittney Klann of Batesville, daughter of Kevin and Pamela Krekeler. She wore a skirt suit with a black skirt and white jacket. The Formal Wear Award went to Shaina Keck, Versailles, daughter of Jerry and Katrina Keck. She wore a sequined white gown.
Brian Buchanan and the 2007 Miss Ripley County, Elizabeth Record, emceed the 2008 Miss Ripley County pageant, which was themed Midnight Masquerade with the setting on Bourbon Street. The festival atmosphere included a feel of Mardi Gras with the contestants coming on stage to New Orleans style music, decked out in beads and masks. The girls were also seen on stage in their professional wear and finally, their formal wear, which included sparkling, sequined gowns of every color and description.

It was a whirlwind of excitement for each contestant as they participated in this year’s event. Most of the girls said they entered the pageant for the experience and to make new friends. Record noted this was a special year that will be remembered 50 years from now. About the queen, she noted, “She is a milestone, she’ll be remembered as the golden anniversary queen.”

Sixteen former queens were in attendance at the grand event and were honored on stage. Past chair of the Ripley County Queen Committee, Erin Menchhofer recognized the visiting queens, members of the fair board who were in attendance and two special ladies who have helped make the event successful the past five years, Vonda Miller and Kim Jarvis.

The judges, Kelly Lloyd, Steve Patterson, and Sydney Pike, made their decisions based on three criteria: stage presence, overall, and the answer to the impromptu question each candidate would draw. The impromptu question drawn by this year’s queen asked if she could interview anyone, who would it be and why? She replied by saying she would interview the President of the United States, George W. Bush, because she wanted to hear his opinions on gas prices, world problems and more.

Pageant organizers had asked those attending to bring canned goods and each contestant had a jar set up to collect money that would determine the People's Choice Award. A grand total of $1,767.50 was rasied plus non perishable goods. Kaitlin Hughes took the award for having over $300 in her jar. The money and product will be given to the food pantries in Ripley County.

The pageant was sponsored by the Batesville FFA, where former queen Jessica Geisler (South Ripley graduate) is the FFA advisor. It was co-chaired this year by Becky Harmeyer and Mary Beth Hackman. Committee members who helped put the event together included: Jessica Geisler, Monica Hansen, and Penny Moore, with a number of others helping to make the 50th celebration one to remember.
The queen and her court will preside over activities at the Ripley County 4-H Fair, which is set to begin Sunday, July 20.

WANDA ENGLISH BURNETT PHOTOS Pictured left, Miss Ripley County 2008 Jordan Clements of Holton, is being crowned at the Midnight Masquerade pageant by 2007 Miss Ripley Elizabeth Record and the first Miss Ripley County 1958, Letitia (Tish) Gookins Burill, Friday night, July 11, at the Batesville High School auditorium. Pictured below the Queen, Clements, and her court: from left, Miss Congeniality, Kristin Wallpe, Batesville; fourth runner-up, Ashley Carpenter, Osgood; queen, Clements; third runner-up, Brittany Joseph, Holton; second runner-up, Jessica Ruble, Milan; and first runner-up, Kaitlin Hughes, Osgood. The queen and her court will preside over activities at the upcoming Ripley County 4-H Fair beginning July 20.

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