Ward exhibits poise as Miss Bedford Fair

Devon Ward Miss Bedford County Fair [Click to enlarge]

Or, at least that's the way Devon Ward makes it look.

"I have been doing this all my life," said the 16-year-old Shelbyville Central High School student. "I wasn't nervous to compete, just very excited."

The young and talented ladies of Bedford County took center stage Monday, the fair's opening day, to compete in the Fairest of the Fair pageant, and Ward received the highest honor of the day when she was crowned Miss Bedford County Fair.

"The pageant was wonderful," she said. "I have won (my division) for the past four years ... I was very surprised to win this year. I had a lot of competition."

The Fairest of the Fair pageant featured 13 divisions, separated by age group, with the Miss Bedford County Fair competition -- the pageant's grand finale -- being for young women ages 16 to 21.

"Devon is a very smart, poised young lady," said Jerri Lynn Smith, chairman of the pageant. "I have been watching her (at the fair) all week and she has a great personality. I think she will represent the county very well."

Ward was judged on her poise, beauty and personality. All divisions participated in an evening gown competition, but the Miss Bedford County Fair contestants had to answer questions provided by the judge panel as well.

One question Ward, who'll be a junior this fall at Central, had to answer was "If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?"

Her answer: "I wouldn't change anything. God has gotten me this far in life for a reason."

Ward, who is the daughter of Richard and Rita Ward, was awarded with a sash and a crown, but chairman Smith said there's something much more important that will come out of her winning the pageant.

"She'll be very involved with the community as a result of winning," said Smith. "She'll have to mingle with dignitaries and that will be good practice for her as she prepares to compete at the state (Fairest of the Fair) pageant in January."

Allison Hix Young Miss Bedford County [Click to enlarge]

Prior to the Miss Bedford County competition, young ladies between the ages 13 and 15 competed for the Young Miss Bedford County crown, which was claimed by Allison Hix, also a Shelbyville Central High School student.

"This was my first time meeting Allison," said Smith. "She is a very sweet girl and she's also been working hard at the fair this week with Devon."

Both Hix, daughter of Wayne and Linda Hix, and Ward have been out and about assisting with fair events since winning their divisions last week.

Smith, who chaired the pageant for her first time this year, said she had a lot of help from her daughter, Ashley, the 2006 Miss Bedford County Fair.

"It all went very well," she said. "Everything ran very smoothly, and it seemed like we had a few more contestants this year. In the future, I would eventually like to see the 16-21 division become a scholarship pageant."

Smith credits this year's emcee with part of the success of this year's pageant.

"A lot of it had to do with Colleen Embry," said Smith. "She did a wonderful job and so many people expressed that to me."

THE FAIREST

Precious Miss

Mataiee Keele, winner

Elsie Renae Lambert, first runner-up

Brooklyn Grace Nowlin, second runner-up

Elizabeth Claire Houie, third runner-up

Precious Master

Kolby Allen, winner

Parker Wyatt Shipley, runner-up

Baby Miss

Ramzi Maliyah Shipley, winner

Lilly Ann Gray, first runner-up

Dalyce Bird, second runner-up

Maleah Fabera, third runner-up

Baby Master

Noah Butler, winner

Jacob Brown, runner-up

Toddler Miss

Zoey Madison Dixon, winner

Brooklyn Kimmons, first runner-up

Abrielle Grace Presley, second runner-up

Savannah Reese Butler, third runner-up

Junior Master

Chase Banks, winner

Tiny Miss

Jaley Cagle, winner

Jaylenn Bates, first runner-up

Myah Sutton, second runner-up

Evelyn Brooke Ragsdale, third runner-up

Little Master

Merik Kidd Carter

Petite Miss

Emily Grace Houle

Little Miss

Matilyn Herbison, winner

Melea Nicole Vaughn, runner-up

Junior Miss

Hannah Michelle Houle, winner

Jessica Lynn Ervin, first runner-up

Santana Vasquez, second runner-up

Tori Spence, third runner-up

Young Miss

Allison Hix, winner

K.D. Potts, first runner-up

Emily Lewis, second runner-up

Destiny Dawn Draughn, third runner-up

Miss

Devon Ward, winner

Rikki Nicole Hardin, first runner-up

Megan Smith, second runner-up

Chelsea Philpott, third runner-up