Justine Kruger crowned 2014 Miss Pulaski County

Justine Kruger of Francesville was crowned Miss Pulaski County 2014 at the annual pageant Sunday night (June 29), during the Pulaski County 4-H & Community Fair. She is the 20-year-old daughter of Gary and Tish Kruger.

Alyssa Garnett, last year's queen, crowned her successor after delivering her farewell speech and taking a last walk across the pageant runway. 

Justine Kruger was crowned Miss Pulaski County 2014 Sunday night at the annual pageant at the Pulaski County 4-H & Community Fair. She was crowned by last year's queen Alyssa Garnett (left) who is also Miss Indiana State Fair 2014. Members of the new queen's court are first runner-up Jessica Wagner, second runner-up Emerald Blankenship and third runner-up Olivea Gorby.

The queen's court includes first runner-up Jessica Wagner, second runner-up Emerald Blankenship, and third runner-up Olivea Gorby. Miss Blankenship was also chosen by her fellow contestants as Miss Congeniality.

For the second year, a People’s Choice prize was also given at the queen pageant - and was also won by the new queen. This award gives the community a chance to vote for their favorite candidate and serves as a fundraiser to help fund pageant expenses and prizes for the candidates. Votes are $1 each and voting took place before the pageant. 

The candidates have been meeting once each week to prepare for the pageant with training in make-up, public speaking and interviewing, along with rehearsals, mock judgings, club appearances and other events.

Preliminary judging was held before the pageant. Three out-of-county individuals judged the contestants. 

Master of Ceremonies for the pageant was Jennifer Knebel. Director for the pageant is Bailey Hoover. 

The new queen and her court will receive cash and other prizes. The queen will also receive a crown, a dozen roses, a sash, and a queen’s pin for the year in memory of 1981 Miss Pulaski County Sharon Powers. The runners-up also receive prizes, tiaras, and sashes.

The new queen will also compete for the title of Miss Indiana State Fair. The state pageant has been moved from August to January, in Indianapolis.

Miss Garnett is also Miss Indiana State Fair 2014 and will be touring the state this summer in preparation for reigning over the state fair in August. She is Pulaski County's third state fair queen.

The local pageant is made possible through the sponsorship of many local clubs and area merchants.

All contestant photos were generously provided by GFB Photography, located in downtown Winamac.

 

The 2014 Miss Pulaski County contestants were:

 

Macy Bischoff Emerald Blankenship
Alivia Kruger Olivea Gorby
Julia Foster Jessica Wagner
Hallie Feuquay Alyssa Bushman
Kaitlin Ford Justine  Kruger

2014

Miss Pulaski County

Pageant

8 PM

Sunday, June 29

Fairgrounds

Samantha Daughtery  

Contestant # 1 Macy Michelle Bischoff

Sponsor: CFS & Matt Rausch, Inc.

Macy is the 18-year-old daughter of Bob and Becky Dixon and Ron Bischoff of Winamac. She is a 2014 graduate from Winamac Community High School. Macy is active in volleyball, managing the football team, basketball, softball, FFA, Sunshine Society, 4-H, St. Peters Catholic Church, Toys for Tots, and Rocking for Riley. Macy will attend Manchester University in the fall where she plans to major in athletic training while also playing for the softball team. She hopes to one day secure a position in which she can help athletes recover from sports injuries.

 

Contestant # 2 Emerald Ellen Blankenship

Sponsor: Murray Leasing, LLC.

Emerald is the 20-year-old daughter of Patrick and Theresa Blankenship of Winamac. Emerald is a 2013 graduate of Winamac Community High School and will be a sophomore at St. Mary’s College. Emerald is active in Campus Ministry, Saint Mary’s Cheer, Stand Up to Cancer Club, and St. Peters Catholic Church. She is majoring in marketing and international business while earning a minor in Spanish. She hopes to one day be a marketing coordinator for an international company or organization focused on helping others.

 

Contestant # 3 Alivia Marie Kruger

Sponsor: Alliance Bank

Alivia is the 18-year-old daughter of Ron and Janet Kruger of Francesville. She is a 2014 graduate of West Central High School. While in high school she was active in volleyball, basketball, track, Student Council, FCA, National Honor Society, Business Professionals of America, 4-H, Riley’s Children’s Hospital Dance Marathon, and St. James-Salem Youth Group. This fall Alivia will attend Purdue University, majoring in athletic training. She hopes to become a physical therapy assistant and help others regain mobility after injury.

 

Contestant # 4 Olivea Mercedes Eschelman-Gorby

Sponsor: Kostas

Olivea is the 16-year-old daughter of Christian Bierrum of Winamac. She attends Winamac Community High School and is active in cheerleading, softball, school musicals, drama, SADD, Sunshine Society, FCA, and FPS. Olivea has received the JV cheerleading award her freshman and sophomore year. Some of her community activities include wrapping presents and collecting school supplies for Sunshine Society. She hopes to one day be a journalist or a social worker.

 

Contestant # 5 Julia Kathleen Foster

Sponsor: Bennett Insurance and Realty

Julia is the 19-year-old daughter of Dan and Rachel Foster of Star City. She is a 2013 graduate of Winamac Community High School and will be a sophomore at Indiana State University. While in high school, Julia was active in cross country, track, cheerleading, Student Council, FFA, Sunshine Society, and yearbook. In college she is active in the Delta Gamma Sorority, The Forest, 8:58, and the First Christina Church. She is majoring in special education and hopes to pursue a career as a special education teacher.

 

Contestant # 6 Jessica Lynne Wagner

Sponsor: Jim Dobson Ford

Jessica is the 18-year-old daughter of Darrin and Tina Wagner of Winamac. She is a 2014 graduate of West Central High School. She is active in cheerleading, track and field, 4-H, her church youth group, FCA, and working in the special needs class. This fall Jessica will attend the University of Indianapolis where she will major in journalism with a concentration in public relations. She hopes to one day obtain a career in public relations.

 

Contestant # 7 Hallie Jean Feuquay

Sponsors: Brandi Hannon of NV Salon & Tanning and EJ Hein of Hein Dairy

Hallie is the 17-year-old daughter of Jodi and Eric Fuequay of Francesville. She will graduate from West Central High School in 2015. Hallie is an active member of Sunshine Society, Student Council, cheerleading, softball, and FCA. After graduation Hallie hopes to open her own preschool and daycare.

 

Contestant # 8 Alyssa Bushman

Sponsors: Novotny Insurance, Patio Drive-In, and Country Color Floral

Alyssa is the 17-year-old daughter of Donna and Timothy Bushman of Winamac. She will graduate from West Central High School in 2015. Alyssa is an active member of BPA, FCA, Sunshine Society, Student Council, cheerleading, cross country, track, wrestling manager, and the Francesville Christian Church Youth Group. After graduation Alyssa would like to attend the Rochester Institute of Technology and major in nuclear engineering. She hopes to one day work for the government.

 

Contestant # 9 Kaitlin May Ford

Sponsor: Plymouth Tube

Kaitlin is the 18-year-old daughter of Gavin and Chris Ford of Logansport. She will graduate from Winamac Community High School in 2015. Kaitlin is active in track, Student Council, Key Club, the prom committee, powder puff football, the homecoming committee, and Jazz Band. After graduation Kaitlin would like to join the U.S. Navy and work her way up the ranks to become a military lawyer.

 

Contestant # 10 Justine Breanne Kruger

Sponsor: CD Embroidery

Justine is the 20-year-old daughter of Gary and Tish Kruger of Francesville. She is a 2012 graduate of West Central High School and a current student at Manchester University. Justine is an active member of the Accounting and Business Club, Sports Management Club, FCA, Manchester University Environmental Club, American Fishers Society, intramural sports, and is a two-year member of the Manchester Women’s Basketball Team. She is earning a degree in marketing and management and hopes to pursue a career in the marketing sector of the fashion and textile Industry.

 

Contestant # 11 Samantha Daughtery

Sponsor: Patchwork Pals

Samantha is the 17-year-old daughter of Carmin and Kerry Kopka of Francesville. She will graduate from West Central High School in 2015. Samantha is an active member of golf, softball, FFA, Sunshine Society, and the Francesville Christian Church Youth Group. After graduation Samantha wants to go to college and major in veterinary science.