The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
NEW ROYALTY REIGNS
Fair crowns Junior Fair King and Queen; Zachary Slimak, Gabriella Peloquit win
This year’s newest Lorain County Junior Fair King and Queen were crowned Aug. 19 as the fair festivities continue.
Gabriella Peloquin, 18, of Elyria, and Zachary Slimak, 19, of Oberlin, were crowned by 2018 queen Jessica Urig, 19, of North Ridgeville, who was master of ceremonies.
Five queen and three king candidates were contesting each other this year.
Both Peloquin and Slimak received $1,000 scholarships from the Lorain County Agricultural Society upon their crowning.
Fair board president Ron Pickworth said participating in the Junior Fair Board is where many future leaders start.
“A whole lot of our senior fair board members started up
“A whole lot of our senior fair board members started up here, too.”
— Ron Pickworth, fair board president
here, too,” Pickworth said, adding that it was a beautiful day for the occasion.
Urig said as Junior Fair Queen, she has been provided many opportunities to represent the county fair well.
“As your 2018 Junior Fair Queen, I’ve been to 13 fairs total,” she said. “I’ve been to Pickaway County, Wayne County, Mahoning County and many more.
“I’ve learned so much
about the geography of Ohio.”
Slimak has been a 4-H member for seven years and currently is the Fowl Department chair for the Lorain County Junior Fair Board.
He also has participated on the Lorain County Avian and Rabbit Quiz Bowl teams.
Slimak will enter his sophomore year at Oberlin College.
“I grew up in 4-H, and I may have only been in it for seven years, but those seven years have been some of the most important in my life,”
he said during his speech. “I can’t thank the 4-H program and junior fair board enough.”
Slimak also thanked his mother, Kimiko, who he attributes to his success with the program.
“She has been a single parent for most of my life, and she’s powered me through all of it and has always been there for me, always encouraged me to follow my passions,” he said.
Peloquin has been a 4-H member for seven years, and a 4-H junior camp counselor for four years. She graduated from Elyria High School this year and plans to attend The Ohio State University, where she will study pharmacy.
“If it weren’t for 4-H, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” Peloquin said, adding that she will miss the program.
“I can’t thank the 4-H program and junior fair board enough.” — Zachary Slimak, winner of the junior king award