Representatives of Columbia County’s six public high schools will compete for the title of 2012 Schoolgirl Queen on Friday, August 31, in one of the Columbia County Fair’s most popular and enduring traditions.
At 6:30 pm the gowned contestants will arrive at the stage in front of the grandstand in vintage convertibles and be introduced by emcees Meg Dooley and Cathie Lee Visscher.
Judging is based on personality, poise and appearance. The winner will be crowned by last year’s Queen, Sarah Elise Risko from New Lebanon High School, and receive a $500 prize.
This Year’s Contestants
[private]Miss New Lebanon

Representing New Lebanon High School is Kendall Kelly, daughter of Jennifer Kelly of New Lebanon. Robotics and Motion is her favorite school subject.
She has participated in the varsity softball team, varsity wrestling team, swim team and junior and senior dance teams, serving as a student dance teacher. She attended the National Young Leaders Conference and was Princess of the Junior-Senior Prom. She has worked at Lebanon Valley Speedway and helped collect blankets for area hospitals.
Outside of school, Kendall’s activities include horseback riding, drawing, spending time with family, taking things apart and putting them back together, babysitting, hiking and fishing.
Miss Chatham

Representing Chatham High School is Tonya Finley, daughter of Brian and Cynthia Finley of Chatham.
Enrolled in a cosmetology program at Questar III, Tonya likes creative writing and literature analysis in English class.
Her interests include horseback riding, reading and writing, co-leading her church’s teen ministry, working with animals and spending time with her family.
Miss Germantown
Morgan Wyantt, the daughter of Gary and Frances Lynk of County Route 19, Hudson, represents Germantown Central High School.
Miss Hudson High
Representing Hudson High School is Hannah Jepsen, the daughter of Stephanie and Michael Jepsen of Hudson.
Miss Ichabod Crane
Hannah Patzwahl, daughter of Scott and Nancy Patzwahl of Valatie, represents Ichabod Crane High School, where her favorite subjects are trigonometry and anatomy/physiology.
Miss Taconic Hills
Taconic Hills High School is represented by Elizabeth Meyers, daughter of Bruce and Sarah Meyers of Ghent.
Held annually over Labor Day weekend at the Columbia County Fairgrounds in Chatham, this year’s Fair will run from Wednesday, August 29, through Monday, September 3.
Advance tickets are now on sale at Hannaford Supermarkets, Agway stores, local First Niagara Bank branch offices, local Bank of Greene County offices, Columbia Memorial Hospital’s Human Services Department, Taconic Valley Lawn & Garden and local Price Chopper supermarkets.[/private]