As a little girl, Jenna Kelsay, 19, always watched the Miss Johnson County pageants. She dreamt of someday being the fair queen, wearing her own glittery crown and passing out showmanship ribbons.
Standing amongst seven other young women on Sunday night, Kelsay finally had the moment she had always waited for — being crowned the 2023 Miss Johnson County.
“It was always a goal of mine, but I didn’t know if it was gonna happen,” Kelsay said with a big smile. “It was definitely like my little girl dream … that I would be able to wear this crown one day so I’m so happy that it happened.”
Kelsay comes from seven generations of dairy and beef farmers, so a love of agriculture has always run through her veins. Kelsay showed cattle and swine for 10 years, goats for two years and had short stints in the sheep and beef barns. Though she didn’t necessarily enjoy participating in showing sheep and beef cattle, everything helped to build her extensive portfolio in agriculture. Prior to earning her crown, Kelsay served for a year as the Southern Region Vice President of Indiana FFA.
She has also had an interest in fashion revue, so picking out her outfit was exciting on its own.
“I’m not gonna lie, I had my heart set on a red dress,” Kelsay laughed. “I really wanted a red dress so we went to the store, it was the first one I tried on, I put it on and I was like, ‘This is it! This is the dress I want!’ I absolutely love it.”
Standing in her red dress with her curled hair, Kelsay said the outcome was still shocking.
“The seven other individuals I ran with were so incredibly talented,” Kelsay said. “I really thought it could go any way and I was so honored when I heard my name called. It was a really, really fun moment.”
The queen’s court
Along with earning her title and her crown, Kelsay also gained a few friends, who are now accompanying her as members of the queen’s court. Most of the five girls who earned spots on the court have known Kelsay since she was younger, mainly because they’ve all been involved in 4-H together.
Court members include Grace Ison, first runner up; Maya Lane Adkins, second runner up; Ella Burgett, third runner up; Alyvia Williams, fourth runner up; and Riley Morris Johnson, Miss Congeniality.
They’re all proud to represent Johnson County and proud to serve next to girls they’ve come to know through 4-H.
“It’s really exciting to be here with all these girls,” Johnson said. “It’s just such a different kind of connection that, you know, I’ve never had in my ten years of 4-H and I’m so thankful to be able to experience it with them.”
“I’m a ten-year 4-Her so I’ve shown with I think almost all of these girls, except for two, so it’s really cool to finish out my first year with all of them. I was in FFA with Jenna so it’s fun to be her first runner up and experience all of this with her,” Ison said.
Royal future
Kelsay’s career in agriculture has only just begun, despite her lengthy time in 4-H. In the fall, Kelsay will head off to Purdue University to pursue an agricultural economics degree. Though she doesn’t know what she wants to do post-graduation, she knows for sure that she’s excited to become a Boilermaker, just like her parents, Amy and Joe Kelsay.
The other thing she’s sure of? Wherever she goes, whatever she does, she wants to continue working in agriculture.
“I’m hoping my time at Purdue will kind of help me figure out where my passion is and what I’m really interested in, but I definitely want to continue working in the agriculture industry,” Kelsay said. “It’s given me so much and I would to give back to it.”
Kelsay is also considering competing state-wide at the 2024 Indiana State Fair Queen Pageant, though she has some time to decide before the competition comes around in January.
Kelsay’s fair favorites
Knowing the fairgrounds better than most, Kelsay said she’d recommend everyone take a walk down the midway, even if they’re not a ride fan. Don’t worry, she isn’t either.
“I do take a couple walks down the midway because I think the best food is in the midway. Definitely spend time there,” Kelsay laughed.
Her order of choice? Beaver tails, of course.
“I had two yesterday, I’m not even gonna lie,” she said. “I got done and was like, ‘Yes! Beaver tail time!’”
As for one of her favorite animals, Kelsay has a special place in her heart for her family goat, Finesse.
“She had the biggest attitude ever,” Kelsay said. “I had never shown goats before, but both my siblings did. I decided to join my second-to-last year of 4-H, so something a little out of my comfort zone. Finesse and I did not get along at all at home, but I spent hours with her because I really wanted to do well at the fair.”
“When we walked into the show ring, she presented herself so well!”
The pair ended up winning three major awards together, including grand champion.
Now her brother, Jack Kelsay, shows Finesse and her kid, Boujee.
Above everything else, Kelsay said she just wants people to know how happy she is to represent Johnson County.
“I absolutely love the community I’m a part of,” Kelsay said. “I’m honored to be Miss Johnson County this year, but even outside of this role, I’m so proud to call this place home.”
