O'Brien County's Paris Schnepf Crowned 2011 Iowa State Fair Queen

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Paris Schnepf was crowned the 2011 Iowa State Fair Queen.

DES MOINES, IA (08/13/2011)(readMedia)-- Paris Schnepf, 17, of O'Brien County was crowned the 2011 Iowa State Fair Queen by Randy Brown, president of the Fair Board. The ceremony took place on Saturday evening at the Anne and Bill Riley Stage sponsored by Pepsi.

The daughter of Richard & Sharon Schnepf of Granville, Paris was chosen out of the 101 contestants who participated in this year's competition. All had been crowned queen of their respective county fairs prior to the State Fair.

Cassie Galm, 17, of Clay County was named first runner-up. She is the daughter of Paul and Brenda Galm of Spencer. Second runner-up was Chelsea Nelson of Audubon County, the daughter of Dave and Trudy Nelson of Exira. Kelsey Orr of Woodbury County was named third runner-up. She is the daughter of Andrew and Leann Orr of Sioux City.

Mary Kate Mardesen, of Johnson County, was given the Outstanding Leadership Award. The 18 year-old is the daughter of Heath and Shelli Mardesen of Oxford. Erin Pisarik, 17, of Linn County, was given the Personality Plus Award. She is the daughter of Steve and Susan Pisarik of Mt. Vernon.

Queen Paris, who will reign for the next year, receives a $2,800 scholarship from the Iowa State Fair in addition to her crown, sash and trophy. She also receives a floral bouquet from Boesen the Florist, a $600 gift card to Jordan Creek Mall, a Tiffany Co. necklace and a personalized Iowa State Fair brick placed at the Riley Stage from the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation.

The first runner-up earns a $1,300 scholarship and $300 gift card to Jordan Creek Mall; the second runner-up wins $700 in scholarship money and a $250 Jordan Creek Mall gift card; and the third runner-up receives a $500 scholarship and $200 gift card to Jordan Creek Mall. The Outstanding Leadership recipient wins an $800 Scholarship and a $250 Jordan Creek Mall gift card. The Personality Plus winner receives a $500 scholarship and a $200 gift card to Jordan Creek Mall. All members of the Royal Court receive a plaque from the State Fair and a floral bouquet from Boesen the Florist. An anonymous donor graciously provided the Jordan Creek gift cards for those who placed and the Tiffany Co. necklace for the queen.

Judging is based on personality, attitude, awareness, leadership, citizenship, contribution to community, overall appearance, charm and poise.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2011 Iowa State Fair, celebrating 100 years of the Butter Cow August 11-21. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines, and are open 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. each day of the Fair. Exhibit hours may vary. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

Note to editors: County Fair queen photos are available. E-mail your request to the Iowa State Fair photographer at steve@stevepope.com or call 515-262-3111 ext. 204.

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