Henderson Crowned Queen over Kosciusko
Published: Friday, July 3, 2026
The 2026 Kosciusko County 4-H queen was crowned last Thursday at the annual 4-H fashion revue. Rising above her competition was Lillian Henderson, daughter of Danielle and Shane Henderson of Warsaw.
The Warsaw Community High School graduate is the 58th 4-H queen in Kosciusko County.
"I've been dreaming of this since I was little," she said. "It's a great honor."
The 18-year-old looks forward to meeting everyone at the fair and representing the Kosciusko County community.
The 4-H royalty contest began in August of 1968, when the 4-H Junior Leaders voted to select their "king" and "queen." The first 4-H royalty were Gary Boggs and Cathy Bryant Shipley. In the years following, the court was selected by the highest dollar amount collected by the contestants.
Taking the king's crown this year was Hudson Shepherd, son of Joel and Karla Shepherd. The 18-year-old Clunette native said it "feels pretty good," and he is excited to follow after the 2025 4-H king and continue in his legacy.
"As king, I look forward to walking around and being a role model," he said.
Taking the title of princess was Ella Jarrett, daughter of David and Angie Jarrett. The 4-H prince is Beau Goshert, the son of Arik and Brenna Goshert.
Jarrett, 18, of Pierceton, characterized her crowning as "surreal." She looks forward to meeting people and making new friends throughout fair week.
Goshert, 16, of Warsaw said it felt good to be crowned prince.
"I get to represent my community really well at the fair. It's the biggest event of the year," he said.
Runners-up to the crown include: Avery Boggs, daughter of Denny and Melissa Boggs, and Cruz Nunez, son of Kelly Nunez.
Fashion Revue
Kenlee Grady was a top exhibitor in the 4-H fashion revue, walking away with the overall grand champion title in fashion, construction and consumer clothing notebook classes, senior champion in her consumer clothing division and overall grand champion in consumer clothing.
Luciana Petre won grand champion in the beginner's division of the consumer clothing contest, and Lyla Dietrich took the reserve champion title. In the intermediate division, the top two contestants were Nolan Crabb and Brynn Van Lieken. Crabb took reserve champion in both consumer clothing and consumer clothing notebook, and Van Lieken won grand champion with her notebook and reserve champion in consumer clothing in the intermediate division.
In fashion and construction, Van Lieken won grand champion for construction and reserve grand in fashion. Olivia Vancleave was the junior grand champion in fashion and construction.
Also awarded during the fashion revue and 4-H showcase were several 4-H and community awards.
Beth and Hubert Krull, along with Interra Credit Union, were honored as the 2026 Friends of 4-H.
Several 4-H'ers were recognized in their final year. Among them are the top 10-year 4-H'er achievement winners: Carter Grady, Lillian Henderson, Ella Jarrett, Corissa Knepper, Emerson Krull, Elena Lawrence, Hayden Lechlitner, Conner LeCount, Lindsay Peterson and Shepherd.
Scholarship awards were presented to several top individuals. Among them are: Jarrett, Krull, Lechlitner, Peterson, Shepherd, Collin Deatsman, Grady, Hayden Lechlitner, Landon Bewley and Hayden Stookey.
Stookey was recognized with the Indiana 4-H Accomplishment Scholarship and the Indiana 4-H Foundation Scholarship. Jarrett also earned the Indiana 4-H Foundation scholarship, along with the 4-H rabbit committee award, Farm Bureau Legacy Award and 4-H Council Scholarship.
Hayden Lechlitner earned the 4-H Foundation Scholarship, the 4-H Impact Award, the Bob Stiffler 4-H Beef Scholarship and the 4-H Council Scholarship. Krull was awarded the 4-H rabbit committee award and the 4-H Council Scholarship. Peterson received the 4-H Impact Award, 4-H sheep committee award and the 4-H Council Scholarship.
Grady and LeCount were the winners of the Anglin-Bishop Scholarship. Grady also won the Gene Milner Memorial Scholarship, and LeCount added the 4-H poultry committee scholarship to his resume.
Landon Bewley took home the 4-H sheep committee scholarship. Hudson Shepherd was awarded as a 4-H Council scholar and received the Shaylene Crites Memorial Scholarship. Deatsman won the Bob Stiffler 4-H Beef Scholarship.
Graduating 4-H'ers include: Regann Finch, Zach Heinbeck, Aubrie Martin, Lyncon Saunders, Abigail Shelhart, Savannah Shepherd, Richard Smith, Noah Swain, Ashley Wake and Gabe Ward.
Ten-year members include: Mireya Alvarez, Allie Ayers, Bewley, Nash Bouse, Airyana Bradley, Deatsman, Jasmine Fuller, Karter Goon, Grady, Evelyn Halas, Henderson, Malanie Hertzler, Jarrett, Jude Kammerer, Corissa Knepper, Krull, Elena Lawrence, Hayden Lechlitner, LeCount, Isaac Lortie, James Lortie, McKenna Lowe, Liberty Marsillett, Jessica McCoy, Audrey Miller, Rhonin Miller, Nunez, Landon Patrick, Peterson, Myla Phillips, Cassie Rich, Wyatt Schager, Shepherd, Serenity Slone, Hailey Stookey, Hayden Stookey, Taelyn Tom and Kendra Williams.
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