By HOLLY GASKILL
Grace Meeks stepped forward in shock and awe as she was announced as the next Miss Wells County.
“This means so much to me,” Meeks said after being crowned. “I’m so excited to represent our county in this way.”
Meeks was crowned alongside the new Miss Teen Wells County, Samantha Evans. The two succeed in the roles of 2022 Miss Wells County Emmy Cupp and 2021 Miss Wells County Macy Richmond.
(Photos by Holly Gaskill)
The daughter of David and Jennifer Meeks, Grace Meeks graduated from Southern Wells High School earlier this year and will attend Ball State’s Honor College this fall. She plans to study exercise science with the intention of pursuing a graduate degree in occupational therapy. This passion was also the focus of her pageant speech.
“I knew I wanted to impact people’s lives,” Evans started. “(With this degree), I would not only be able to impact people’s lives but hopefully be able to improve their lives as well.”
Evans, the daughter of Andy and Angie Evans, is entering her sophomore year at Norwell High School. Following graduation, she plans to pursue a degree in the medical field. Evans was also named Miss Congeniality for the teen competition.
“I’m so excited for this co-leadership opportunity in the community,” Evans said. “I feel honored to serve as Miss Teen Wells County.”
As their last official event in their reign, Cupp and Richmond also gave parting words and advice. Both women beamed with pride and excitement but expressed tearfulness and emotion.
“Whatever you do with this (role), take it as joy,” Richmond said. “And don’t take any moment for granted.”
“It’s a true joy to get to stand up here,” Cupp said. “I am just so grateful for this and being able to be here in front of you all tonight … It just means the world to me, so I thank you.”
As they left the stage for the last time in their roles, they ran to hug each contestant.
There were six contestants in the Miss pageant — Meeks, Karlie Brown, Sarah Bueter, Reghan Neuenschwander, Alyssa Toland and Karlie Beck. There were also seven in the teen pageant — Evans, Mackenzie Fuess, Sy’Annha Jordan-Turner, Reghan Plunkett, Cruz Rinkenberger, Kierstynn Reed and Sydney Soars.
In the Miss competition, Brown was named the first runner-up, Toland was second runner-up and Bueter was the third runner-up. Bueter was also named Miss Congeniality.
Among the teens, Fuess was named the first runner-up and Beck was the second runner-up. Plunkett, also in the teen division, received the People’s Choice award.
Contestants were graded on their presentation, poise and personality across the evening’s events, which included fashion presentations, private interviews and speeches. The interview accounts for 45 percent of grading, professional wear 20 percent, formal wear 20 percent, and speech 15 percent. The teen competitors were exempt from the speech portion of the contest.
The winners and their runners-up will receive scholarships sponsored by local businesses.
holly@news-banner.com
