Desiray Simmons is Miss Carroll County
Comet staff report

County 4-H queen and her court Miss Carroll County 2007 is Desiray Simmons, seated. She is surrounded by her court. They are (l to r): Courtney Rinehart, 1st runner-up; Jennifer Hardyniec, 2nd runner-up; Jacquelyn Combs, Miss Congeniality; and Kayleigh Morgan, 3rd runner-up and co-Miss Congeniality. Dale Snipes photo

Nineteen-year-old Desiray Lynette Simmons was crowned Miss Carroll County 2007 at the 50th annual pageant held Saturday evening in the show arena at the 4-H Fairgrounds in Flora.

She is the daughter of Jeff and Michelle Simmons of Cutler. A 2006 graduate of Carroll Jr.-Sr. High School, she has spent the last year working as a state FFA officer. She plans to attend Purdue University in the fall.

Her court included first runner up Courtney S. Rinehart, 18, of Flora; second runner-up Jennifer Evelyn Hardyniec, 18, of Bringhurst; third runner up Kayleigh Alicia Morgan, 17, of Delphi; and co-Miss Congenialities Kayleigh Morgan and Jacqueline Sinnamon Combs, 18, of Kokomo.

During fair week, the queen and her court attend all livestock shows, participate in the 4-H Parade, help at the livestock auction, and generally work all week to support the fair.

Miss Simmons will compete in August for the title of Miss Indiana State Fair Queen. Her sponsors were Dr. D.J. Harmon, Optometrist, and Cindy Harmon, Attorney at Law.

Miss Simmons, Miss Rinehart and Miss Hardyniec are all ten-year 4-H members and belong to the Monroe Achievers 4-H Club. Miss Morgan is a nine-year member of the Madison Magnificents 4-H Club and Miss Combs is a ten-year member of the Burlington Wildcats 4- H Club.

As winner, the queen received an array of gifts including tiara, Baker Funeral Home; trophy, Reinke Funeral Home; diamond necklace, Sisson & Son Jewelers; $100 savings bonds, Wise & Wise Farms and Pearson's of Delphi; $50 savings bonds, Fisher's Restaurant and Dean and Donna Overholser; Longaberger basket, Pam Michael, independent Longaberger national sales leader; free oil change, Esserman Tire Service; magnetic sign, queen committee; 11x14 picture and complimentary session, Portraits by Lori; pedicure set, Body Shop at Home by Crystal Grandstaff; $15 cash, Collisions Unlimited and Harry W. Jones DDS; $20 gas card, Salin Bank & Trust, and video of pageant, Channel 2.

First runner-up Courtney Rinehart is the daughter of Bret and Michelle Rinehart. She will be a freshman this fall at Manchester College.

Her sponsor was Excel Co-op, Flora, and Country Hair II.

As first runner-up, her prizes included: tiara, Rinehart Realtors & Auctioneers; trophy, Stephan's IGA; $100 savings bonds, St. Elizabeth Healthcare Center and Beta Alpha Chapter of Psi Iota Xi, Flora; $50 savings bonds, Carroll County Extension Homemakers; $25 gift certificate, Save- A-Lot; $20 cash, Dr. D.J. Harmon; $10 cash, Armstrong Drilling; $20 gas card, Salin Bank & Trust; free meal, Pizza Hut of Delphi. Second runner-up Jennifer Hardyniec will be a freshman this fall at Rose Hulman Institute of Technology. She is the daughter of Bruce and Lori Hardyniec. Her sponsor was Mann Chevrolet and Sisson & Son Jewelers, both of Flora.

Her prizes as second runner-up were: tiara, Payne's Pharmacy; trophy, Eikenberry Fine Furniture; $100 savings bond, U.S. Engineering Aggregates-Delphi Limestone; $50 savings bonds, Carroll County Extension Homemakers and Obear, Overholser, Huffer & Rider Law Office; $15 cash, Hufty Alignment & Radiator; $10 cash, Cut & Curl Shop.

Third runner-up Kayleigh Morgan, daughter of Cheryl Morgan and the late Steve Morgan, is a senior at Delphi Community High School. She was sponsored by Parrett's Meat Processing & Catering and Portraits by Lori.

Her gifts included: tiara, Carroll County Comet; trophy, Mann Chevrolet; $100 savings bond, The Storage Shed; $50 savings bond, Carroll County Extension Homemakers; $15 cash, Zinn Kitchens; and $10 cash, Hufty Alignment & Radiator.

Miss Congeniality is voted by her peers. This year there was a tie with Kayleigh Morgan and Jacqueline Combs receiving an equal amount of votes. Miss Combs is the daughter of Dave and Lois Combs. She will be a freshman this fall at Ball State University. Her sponsor was Sinnamon Show Supply.

Miss Congeniality's gifts included: tiara, Fielding's Jewelry & Time; trophy, Carman Excavating; $100 savings bond, Beta Alpha Chapter of Psi Iota Xi, Flora; $50 savings bond, Carroll County Extension Homemakers; $15 cash, Dr. Harry W. Jones, DDS; $10 cash, queen committee; and two-month gift membership, Curves of Delphi.

The queen and her court also received a sash, provided by Carroll County Pork Producers; flowers from The White Iris; and a gift basket from Sassy's. They also each received a free daily lunch special, provided by Gracie's Restaurant & Bakery; a free dinner, provided by Leadership Carroll County; $20 gas card from Salin Bank & Trust; and a chair from Dick Krieg Motors.

The theme of the 50th annual pageant was "Celebrating 50 years - 1958-2007." The first Miss Carroll County was Jane Williams Kearns, who was honored at the pageant and who also served as one of the judges. Emcees were Jerry Hendress and Miss Carroll County 2006 Hannah Mears.

On Saturday morning, judging for contestants began with professional wear and individual interview, accounting for 60 percent of their total score. In the evening they were judged on public pageant presence, evening gowns, and impromptu question for the remaining 40 percent of their score.

Committee members were Vicky Snipes, Brandi Nichols, Jen Fife, and Hannah Mears.