Simmons is State Fair 3rd runner-up
Comet staff report

Photo by Phil Benson Desiray Simmons

Miss Carroll County Desiray Simmons was chosen third runner up in the Indiana State Fair Queen Contest held Sunday, the last day of the State Fair.

"It was a great experience up to the top ten and the placing was the icing on the cake," said Simmons Tuesday.

Simmons said that she was not nervous after they named her top ten because she had accomplished what she had wanted. But that didn't last long when she realized she had to answer an impromptu question.

She recalled her question was, "Where is your favorite place to go in Indiana and why?"

She said she had no problem answering that question. "My grandfather's pond because it's a place where my family can get together to eat and fish and just be together."

Each contestant goes through preliminary judging in three categories - interview, professional wear, and evening gown.

The Top Ten Finalists are determined from the preliminary judging and were announced at the Sunday afternoon contest. The Top Ten Finalists are then rejudged in professional wear and evening gown and an onstage question.

From the second judging, the queen and her court (first, second, third and fourth runnersup) are chosen. Miss Congeniality is voted on by the contestants and announced at that time, too.

The new queen will reign for the next 12 months, promoting the Indiana State Fair, and then will pass her crown to the new queen on the last day of the fair.

Simmons received a gift bag and $100 scholarship for third runner-up. She will participate in the Indiana State Fair Queen's Court next summer.

Simmons had little time to enjoy her title because the Purdue freshman was in class on Monday. She is majoring in agricultural economics with a minor in dance.

A 2006 graduate of Carroll Jr.-Sr. High School, she is the daughter of Jeff and Michelle Simmons of Bringhurst.