By Don Steen ~ Staff Writer – reporter@psci.net
The 2023 Chrisney Fall Festival kicked off with the annual Little Miss/Mister and Queen Pageant, inaugurating the royalty for this year’s event. Each contestant made a splash on stage at Chrisney Elementary. The Little Miss and Mister contestants were spread out enough across the categories to ensure everyone was recognized, but with nine queen contestants, the quest for Queen was bound to be tight.
Last year’s Queen, Mary Beth Zoglman, offered some farewell remarks before crowning her successor. She thanked her community for their advice and support during her own journey, and for allowing her to represent the Town of Chrisney for the past year.
Zoglman said the experience has helped build confidence as well as public speaking skills, and encouraged all those put off by the prospect of stepping into the spotlight to take the plunge in future events.
“Do it,” she said. “Absolutely do it.”
This year’s Queen is Jaidyn Gogel, a recent graduate of Heritage Hills High School and now a student at Vincennes University. She said Chrisney offers a unique and trusting environment, where neighbors and fellow residents can be counted on in times of trouble.
In her interview, Gogel credited her optimism as her defining trait, believing that the future will always be brighter no matter the troubles faced today.
“If we’re always living in the past we can never move forward,” said Gogel.
The runner up in the Queen Pageant was Emerson Schaefer, who also credited the town’s selflessness as a key trait. She also thanked her mother, citing her as the biggest influence in Schaefer’s willingness to take on new challenges.
The Little Mister for the 3 and 4 year old category was Tanner Bender. The Runner Up was Jaxon Boehman.
The title of 3-4 Little Miss Chrisney went to Hadley Anderson. The Runner Up was Isabella VanWinkle. Aurora Thomas was recognized for “Best Fall Fun” themed attire.
In the 5-6 category, Gabriel Perez was named Little Mister. The Little Miss Chrisney in this category was Adira Waninger.
The Little Miss Chrisney in the 7-8 category was Eden Emerson.
