2025 Highland County Jr. Fair royalty contestants announced

Courtesy of Danielle Combs
Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
The Ohio State University

I have included the bios (below) for all the contestants and the photos that they are required to submit to compete for the 2025 Highland County Jr. Fair King and Queen contest. In order to compete for the Highland County Jr. Fair Queen Contest, contestants must complete four parts:

Part 1: Application due Aug. 18. The contestants will be judged on their ability to answer the questions of the application. It will be judged on content, grammar, and spelling.  

Part 2: Personal interview which will be judged on their ability to answer questions, their poise/posture, and conversational ability by a panel of judges. 

Part 3: Speech about this year's Fair theme on Aug. 31 at 4 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Building. The contestants will be judged on their ability to prepare and present a 2-5-minute oral speech on the Highland County Fair theme of 2025. No other topics will be accepted. No props of any kind may be used. It will be judged on the contestant’s speaking ability, content and poise/presence. 

Part 4: Two fishbowl questions Aug. 31 at 4 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Building. The contestants will be judged on their ability to answer two random questions in front of the audience and panel of judges. The contestants will be judged on their ability to answer the question, speaking ability, and poise/presence.  

An accumulation of all four parts will determine who will represent the Highland County Jr. Fair as royalty.  

Good Luck to all the contestants.

2025 queen applicants

• I am Leah Robinson, and I am a junior at Hillsboro High School. I have been in 4-H for nine years and FFA for three. 

I’ve done multiple projects through both organizations, but I have been the most successful with sewing.  

After I graduate high school, I want to go to college to be an ag. teacher and FFA adviser.  

I am currently the vice president of community development for my FFA chapter. My hobbies include reading and caring for my ducks.

* * *

• Emma Sanderson is proud to represent the Junior Leaders as a candidate for the 2025 Highland County Fair Queen. Emma is a senior at Lynchburg-Clay High School and the daughter of Darrin and Becky Sanderson. 

Sanderson has shown both dogs and horses in addition to other special interest projects. With over 700 hours of volunteer service, Sanderson’s commitment to giving back is evident in every corner of her life.  

She’s actively involved in 4-H, FFA, her church, and school organizations including National Honor Society, student council, cross-country, bowling and track and field and serves as class treasurer.  

Sanderson has earned numerous awards at both the county and state level, including Grand Champion Showmanship, multiple gold medals in PetPals and agility trials, recognition as a Showman of Showman, and earned the Versatility Awards at the county and state levels. After graduation, she plans to attend Cedarville University or Wilmington College to major in social work and psychology. Her ultimate goal is to earn a master’s in counseling and become a school counselor-where she hopes to incorporate dog therapy to support student’s emotional well-being.  

Sanderson is excited to represent the Highland County Fair with pride, compassion and a deep appreciation for the traditions and people that make it so special.

* * *

• I’m Hanna West, I am 15 years old and a junior at Edward Lee McClain High School.  

I am currently serving as secretary of the Highland County Jr. Leadership, vice president of the Highland County Family and Consumer Science Board, vice president of the Marshall Jr. Farmers 4-H Club and a member of the Highland County Jr. Fair Board.  

In school, I’m involved in various activities including FFA, band, cheerleading, Drug Free Clubs of America and Big Brothers Big Sisters.  

After school, I plan to pursue a career in the medical field.