For Elise Goodman, the third time was a charm.
The 2010 Goshen High School graduate was named Elkhart County 4-H Fair queen during a stormy pageant last Friday evening in Goshen.
"I'm just completely overwhelmed," Goodman said following her crowning. "Once they said my number, my mind just went blank. I just couldn't believe it. I just couldn't believe it was me. This is such a blessing and a dream come true."
Goodman, 17, is the daughter of Keith and Regina Goodman of Goshen. This is her third year as a fair queen contestant. She is a nine-year 4-H member. She is involved in the rabbit club and collections. This fall she is headed to Anderson University, where she plans to study secondary English education.
Runnerups in the pageant were: Emily Mishler, Goshen, first runnerup and Miss Congeniality; Stephanie Yoder, a Northridge High School graduate, second runnerup; Darcy VanDiepenbos, Syracuse, third runnerup; and Sydney Kehr, Goshen, fourth runnerup.
Fair officials speeded up the program to beat an approaching storm. It started raining just as the final scores were being tabulated, and the track seats and grandstands were largely vacant when the five finalists were named. Goodman, however, was all smiles as she accepted the crown from 2009 queen Morgan Lewallen.
Earlier in the day, Marvene Pippenger of Nappanee was named senior queen. She was one of 11 candidates competing in the 32nd annual program.
Pippenger and her husband Lamar have been married for 47 years and have three children and eight grandchildren. A 4-H leader for seven years, Pippenger attends the fair each year. All of her children were 4-H'ers. She is retired after completing 35 years of business education.
Runnerups in the senior queen pageant were: Nancy Miller, Goshen, first runnerup and Miss Congeniality; and Ramona Huber, Goshen, second runnerup.
Both Goodman, the fair queen, and Pippenger, the senior queen, appeared in Sunday's fair parade through downtown Goshen. Leading the parade was grand marshal Terry Shewmaker, an Elkhart County Circuit Court judge and fair board member.
The parade itself had 135 entries. Winners in the float contest were:
• Four-H club floats—Jacksonians club, first; clown club, second; rabbit club, third.
• Youth and agricultural clubs—First Baptist Church, first; Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana, second; Indiana Ultimate, third.
• Open class—Grace Community Church, first; Walnut Hill, second; Rock Run Church of the Brethren, third.
• Antique automobiles and tractors—Northern Indiana Two-Cylinder Club, first; Elkhart County International Harvester Owners and Collectors, second; Antique Tractors, third.
• Commercial—Elkhart Civic Theatre/The Bristol Opera House, first; Barrel Train, second; Happy Days Express by Child Evangelism Ministries, third.
The Bigler Memorial Award was presented to Walnut Hill.