2016 Winneshiek County Fair Queen candidates announced

2015 Fair Queen photo

Nine young women have been named as the 2016 Winneshiek County Fair Queen contestants.

--18-year-old Joclyn Bushman is the daughter of Chad and Manon Bushman of Fort Atkinson.  During high school she was involved in FFA, SODA, the Purple Cord Volunteering Program, volleyball, basketball, softball, and trapshooting.  In FFA she served as reporter her sophomore year and chapter president her junior year.  She was the 2015 Winneshiek County Beef Queen.

--17-year-old Marissa Jo Foels is the daughter of Loren and JoEllen Foels of Postville.  She will be a senior this fall at Decorah High School, where she has been a member of DHS National Honor Society, Silver Cord volunteer program and large group speech team.  Marissa serves on the 2015-16 State 4-H Council where she also serves as the VP, also on the marketing committee and opening/closing ceremonies for the state youth conference.

--17-year-old Emily Luzum is the daughter of Kevin and Linda Luzum of Fort Atkinson. She will be a senior this fall at Turkey Valley High School, where she has been a member of the Turkey Valley trap shooting team for three years, the editor of the school yearbook and part of "Signs of Christ," a group that learns sign language to contemporary Christian music.  Emily has served as treasurer of the Turkey Valley Clovers 4-H club and on the County Council for the past six years.

--16-year-old Meretta Leigh Peterson is the daughter of Brian Peterson and Becky Peterson of Decorah. She is active in choir, band, large group speech, FFA, 10th and 11th grade varsity basketball cheerleading, marching band and concert choir.   In 4-H she is the secretary of her club and has shown horses in the past.

--19-year-old Allie Elizabeth Rausch is the daughter of Dan and Mindy Rausch of Fort Atkinson.  She has been a student at Coe College for the past year.  In high school she was in four sports along with musicals and plays in the spring and fall.  In 4-H she enjoyed showing her pets and livestock at the Winneshiek County Fair.

--17-year-old Amy Marie Schmitt is the daughter of Peter and Susan Schmitt of Fort Atkinson.  Her school activities include cheerleading for football and basketball, trap shooting, Wellness Club, volleyball,and track.  In 4-H she is a member of the Turkey Valley Clovers Club, where she has served as VP and photographer.

--16-year-old Hanna Schmitt is the daughter of Greg and Sara Schmitt of Waucoma.  In school Hanna is a member of the National Honor Society, a cheerleader for basketball and football and a member of the volleyball and track and field teams.  Hanna is a member of  the Turkey Valley Clovers 4-H Club where she has done Share the Fun, Working Exhibit, Educational presentation, visual arts and photography at State.

--16-year-old Jenna Schmitt is the daughter of James and Christie Schmitt of Fort Atkinson. Jenna has been in band for the past six years and received a division one rating for her saxophone duet and flute solo. She has also been in her school's play and musical, in dance for 13 years, in choir, golf, volleyball, cheerleading, and speech.

--18-year-old Ashley Schwartzhoff is the daughter of Mike and Michelle Schwartzhoff of  Decorah.  She has been a member of the Decorah Chiefs 4-H Club for 9 years and is now the president.  She has been active in FFA for four years, where she has received the Greenhand award, Chapter award, and Iowa Degree.  In high school she was in volleyball, basketball, and softball all four years.