Miss Ledyard Fair Coronation Kicks Off 66th Edition

Katelyn Craig was crowned Miss Ledyard Fair at the 66th edition of the annual fair, which opened Friday. Craig, a senior at Ledyard High School, was the first runner-up a year ago.

Ledyard High School senior Chelsey Fuller was the first runner-up, Kali Money, a freshman at LHS, was the second runner-up, and senior Elizabeth Burton was the third runner-up.

Other contestants were Hannah Lawrence, Sara Harvey and Bethany Carrington.

“I was hoping (to win), because I did first runner-up last year,” said Craig, who aspires to become a kindergarten teacher.

In 2010, she won not only first runner-up, but Miss Congeniality – a title she won again this year. Miss Congeniality is an award given by the contestants to one who has been most helpful to her companions. “Since I’m experienced, I tried to be a help to the girls,” she said.

She also tried to have fun preparing for the pageant. “It’s a lot of fun,” she said. “It’s nerve-wracking, but fun.”

Now in her senior year, Craig explained her career choice. “I love kids,” she said. “I just like kids, and playing with them.”

Her path to the classroom may lead her either to Pennsylvania State University or Wheelock College in Boston. Wheelock offers a good education program, she said, and Penn State would allow her to go back to her home state.

Born in Pennsylvania, Craig's family moved to Connecticut 13 years ago. Her father’s Navy career brought them for a while to Virginia, but the Craigs later returned to Connecticut.

Randy Craig, now retired, had the honor of escorting his daughter in the pageant. “It was great,” he said. “She has such a good time. We have a good time.”

In addition to a good time, Katelyn Craig has earned a $900 scholarship.

Other girls also received prizes. Chelsey Fuller, the first runner-up, won a $350 scholarship, and Kali Money, the second runner-up, won $250.

But to Michelle Hinton, the pageant’s organizer and Mistress of Ceremonies, all the contestants are winners. “Whether they receive a sash and crown, or whether they don’t receive a sash and crown… it’s not about winning and losing,” she said. “We feel that every girl who fills out an application is a winner.”

For all of these young women, the preparations for the pageant began over a month ago. They each had to submit an application by Aug. 1. Each was interviewed, and had to attend three meetings.

At the pageant itself, each contestant appeared with an escort. They gave short speeches on topics they cared about. Then, the hopeful Miss Ledyard Fairs left the stage to change into formal clothing. When they returned, they answered questions chosen at random.

For the winners, the pageant isn’t over. Miss Ledyard Fair and the runners-up will attend events throughout the next year. These include the lights parade in winter, the egg hunt in spring, and the Memorial Day parade.

Craig says she is looking forward to it. “Hopefully it’ll be a good year for all the events and representing Ledyard well,” she said.

The pageant is a highlight of the annual late-summer fair, which runs through Sunday. This year it followed a solemn opening ceremony that included a moment of silence for the victims of 9/11. The 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks is Sunday.