MOUNT VERNON — With a curtsey, Alexis Beeman earned the crown and title of 2010 Little Miss Knox County on Sunday at the 18th annual Little Miss Knox County contest.
Beeman is the daughter of Jennifer Blankenship and Brent Beeman.
One of 19 contestants, Beeman took the floor for two minutes to discuss her passion for breast cancer awareness, revealing that her grandmother passed away from the disease.
“I don’t want any other little girl or boy to lose a grandma from the disease,” Beeman said.
Beeman’s duties will now include passing off the crown at next year’s contest and attending other fair events as Little Miss Knox County.
Each of the other contestants were provided two minutes to speak about a topic of choice, ranging from Barbies to favorite books to families and pets.
Contest coordinator Julie Chester served as master of ceremonies.
Able to earn a score of up to 30 points, each contestant was judged by a panel of three based on their interview, appearance and poise.
Earning runner-up positions and a crown next to Beeman was third runner-up Amanda Annett, daughter of Kevin and Tatum Annett; second runner-up Macy Thorne, daughter of J.R. and Jamie Thorne; and first runner-up Brianna Small, daughter of Rob and Andrea Small.
Annett was a true cowgirl, sharing with the crowd her love of riding horses and helping her family on the farm.
“I like to help my uncle and my dad work on tractors and plant the harvest,” Annett said.
Thorne, like Beeman, also revealed an interest in community service.
“I set up a Kool-aid and brownie stand to raise money for a friend whose house caught on fire,” Thorne said.
Small shared with the crowd her love of singing, saying music was her favorite class in school. Small even performs with the TaVaci School of Performing Arts in Mount Vernon.
“I like to sing all my TaVaci songs,” Small said.
Each of the contestants received a trophy, a princess wand, a ribbon of participation and $10.
Runners-up and the contest winner, however, received a trophy, a tiara from Huff’s Fine Jewelry, flowers and $25 to the third runner-up, $50 to the second runner-up, $75 to the first runner-up and $100 to the Little Miss Knox County.
All money was provided by the Knox County Fair Board.
