Miss Wabash County wins State Fair pageant

INDIANAPOLIS — Alyssa McKillip will travel nearly 6,500 miles to 45 counties this summer in her new role as Miss Indiana State Fair Queen 2022.

McKillip, who was Miss Wabash County 2020, was selected over 105 other contestants and is the third representative of Wabash County to hold the honor.

She graduated from Northfield High School in 2020 as the co-valedictorian. She enjoys baking, boating, traveling and being a 4-H volunteer.

McKillip is a sophomore honors student at Butler University majoring in psychology and completing minors in biology and chemistry.

Following graduate school, she will pursue her dream of becoming a pediatric oncologist physician assistant.

Other finalists include:

• First Runner-Up: Sydney Dunkin, Vigo County 2020.

• Second Runner-Up: Kalyn Melham, Delaware County 2021.

• Third Runner-Up: Grace Brenneman, Elkhart County 2021.

• Fourth Runner-Up: Emma Yarber, Posey County 2021.

Q&A With McKillip

Q: Congrats on being named State Fair Queen. What do you look forward to most about being queen this year?

A: I look forward to traveling to the many different fairs throughout my summer, meeting new people and new county queens and their courts and enjoying the great Indiana State Fair each day it takes place.

Furthermore, as I once looked up to the Indiana State Fair Queen myself as a young girl, I hope to be the next little girl’s dream by setting a positive example and by radiating a passion for what I ultimately represent. I genuinely look forward to many memorable experiences made throughout my reign.

Q: Tell me about your time in 4-H. What projects did you enjoy?

A: I was a proud 10-year 4-H member, and I am thankful for all of the wonderful memories I made at both the Wabash County and Indiana State Fairs. Though I participated in lawn and garden tractor, gardening, crops and a variety of other projects, my absolute favorite project was swine.

I had the honor of showing the Champion Poland China Gilt in 2018 at the Indiana State Fair, and it was a memory I will never forget. I still enjoy helping my brother with his swine project during the summer months.

Q: Any advice for 4-H members as they tackle projects this summer?

A: My best piece of advice is to venture out and try something new. 4-H has so many incredible projects to offer, and there are so many ways to build upon knowledge and skills that will be valuable in the future.

4-H is an opportunity to step outside of your comfort zone to find new passions. Additionally, it is an opportunity to craft friendships that will last well into later life and form memories that will last forever.

Absorb every moment and seize every opportunity. The time goes by so fast.

Q: What’s your favorite fair food?

A: There are so many delicious fair foods that it is incredibly difficult to pick just one. I always enjoy elephant ears, and an inside trick is to ask for them to be “extra doughy” to experience the best elephant ear you could ever imagine.

At the State Fair, my favorite foods include a Dairy Bar grilled cheese and milkshake. Oftentimes, my dad and I will wander over to the deep-fried booth and try some deep-fried Snickers.

Q: If you had a day to spend at the State Fair, what would you spend time doing?

A: I would begin by visiting Dairy Bar to fuel up for the day’s activities and to cool off from the blazing summer heat. Then, I would take a walk through the livestock barns where I made many memories myself.

Eventually, you would find me in the FFA Pavilion attempting to secure a victory in mini golf against my family. It is always a friendly battle, of course.