SpringfieldNewsSun.com

URBANA — Meagan Verbillion entered the Ohio Fair's Queen contest armed with a pageant dress, a crown and the knowledge she gained as a former county fair queen.

"I didn't even think I would get in the top 15, so when I got into the top 5, I was legitimately shocked," said Verbillion, who was the 2006 Clark County Fair queen.

More than 50 other young women, including the 2006 Champaign

County Fair queen Cassaundra Hupp, also were in the competition.

More than a year after they won their local fair queen title, the duo had to take the stage again two weeks ago.

The contest kicked off when the queens were

individually questioned about their future goals and their county fairs.

Judges asked Verbillion how she would promote Clark County's fair, and she told them about the history of Clark County as the birthplace of 4-H and the importance of keeping the tradition alive.

Later came dress rehearsal, followed by an hour for the ladies to get done-up in formal gowns for a dinner with family and more judge questions, Hupp said.

On stage, the women waited for the announcement of the top 15, and Hupp said she worried the judges would only announce them by first name.

"There was another

Cassaundra there, and I was worried they'd announce 'Cassaundra' and my heart would skip a beat with excitement, and it would be the other Cassaundra," she laughed.

Both Hupp and Verbillion

were picked by the judges and moved on to the next question portion.

Hupp was quizzed on pop culture when asked for a list of things she would do before she dies — like the characters in the movie "The

Bucket List."

"I said I would want to throw a huge party at my house and spend time with my family," Hupp said. "Family is really important to me."

Verbillion was glad her question related to the fair and told judges that during a reign as Ohio Fair's Queen she would emphasize the importance of learning from one another by attending fairs in counties other than your home county.

"There are so many girls there, and going into it you know all these girls are good," Hupp said. "You have good competition because they won their county event."

Unfortunately for Hupp, she didn't move past the top 15, but she said she was proud of having gotten that far.

Verbillion, however, was chosen to move into the top 5 — an opportunity that came packaged with another day of competition.

"I got into the top 15, and I was happy. I thought 'If I don't make it through from here, it's OK, I'm content,' " she said. "It became a whole new set of nerves once I came into the top 5."

Hupp attended the next day of competition to support Verbillion, who claimed third place and went home with a trophy.

"Being at the contest, you needed to step up and be a leader if you wanted to do well," Verbillion said. "It taught me a lot about leadership, interacting with others and how you present yourself to others."

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0226 or nmorales@coxohio.com.