GREENVILLE – The annual Darke County Junior Fair Queen and King Pageant was held with excitement and pride as youth from across the county showcased their leadership, dedication, and passion for agriculture and community involvement.
The evening kicked off with the reigning 2024 Junior Fair King and Queen, Colin Batten and Sophia Aultman, warmly welcoming the audience and introducing the panel of judges—three distinguished individuals deeply rooted in the agricultural community.
One by one, the candidates took to the stage to introduce themselves, sharing their involvement in organizations such as FFA, 4-H, the Junior Fair Board, and National Honor Society, among others.
This year’s Queen candidates included Alivia Addis, Julia Raffel, Danicka Michael, Emma Jones, Grace Borchers and Angela Graf. The King candidates were Bryce Watson and Waylon Keller.
The first round of competition featured the ever-popular “fish bowl” questions (drawn, amusingly, from a basket). Contestants answered a range of questions focused on personal growth, agricultural involvement, and their experiences with the Darke County Fair. One question asked how 4-H has influenced their personal development, to which all contestants responded with confidence and sincerity, demonstrating their commitment to leadership and service.
Before the second round began, the 2024 Junior Fair Court took a moment to reflect on their memorable year.
They shared laughs and heartfelt stories that highlighted the friendships, leadership, and memories forged over the past year.
In the second round, contestants again drew questions at random. These were similarly themed around fair involvement and personal insight. A standout moment came when Emma Jones was asked to describe herself in three words. Her humorous and relatable answer—“unathletic”—prompted laughter and cheers from the audience. Meanwhile, Grace Graf gave a touching response when asked about her greatest achievement: “growing as a person.”
Each contestant showcased grace, humor, and thoughtfulness throughout the evening, leaving a lasting impression on both judges and attendees.
As the judges finalized their scores, guests enjoyed cookies and refreshments while the anticipation built. After about 40 minutes, the 2025 Darke County Junior Fair Court was announced: 2025 Queen: Grace Borchers; 1st Runner-Up: Danicka Michael; 2nd Runner-Up: Angela Graf; and 3rd Runner-Up: Julia Raffel. 2025 King: Waylon Keller; and 1st Runner-Up: Bryce Watson.
The evening closed with heartfelt applause, smiling faces, and plenty of photos to mark the crowning moment.
Congratulations to all the outstanding contestants for representing the spirit and values of the Darke County Junior Fair with such pride and passion.
