La Plata, MD – North Point High School Senior Jensen Conklin was chosen Queen Nicotina at the 93rd Charles County Fair Thursday, Sept. 15 in La Plata.
Conklin, sponsored by the Waldorf Fire Department-Station 3, won out over a field of 10 contestants in the 81st contest, which has been the opening night staple of the fair for more than eight decades.
Rebecca Giannini, a senior at La Plata High School and sponsored by the Greater Waldorf Jaycees, was first runner-up.
Madison Stanley, also a senior at North Point and sponsored by the James E. Richmond Science Center, was second runner-up.
With all of the hoopla over Colin Kapernic’s anti-Star Spangled Banner protest on NFL sidelines, when the National Anthem was sung brilliantly by Charles County Fair Events Coordinator and Master of Ceremonies Joe Gardiner, everyone who could stand was standing and most joined in.
No such protests in Charles County.
“Ten candidates will vie to represent the Charles County Fair, but only one will be queen,” Gardiner told the crowd.
There were some talented candidates for the title of Queen Nicotina, the criteria of which include scholastic achievements, extra-curricular activities, poise and appearance, conduct, and how they conducted themselves during their interview.
Lackey Senior Amanda Clements, sponsored by the Charles County Arts Alliance, was named Senior Student of the Year and won the Red Cross Award. She will attend College of Southern Maryland in the fall.
McDonough Senior Taylor Covington, sponsored by her senior class, who loves to sing, dance and act, will enter Jacksonville University in the fall.
Equestrian Callie Maginnis, sponsored by the Mounted Wanderers 4-H Club, is a North Point senior.
Maria Miller, also a North point senior, was sponsored by the Good Shepherd UMC Carpenters Crew. She will attend Towson in the fall where she intends to major in special education and elementary education.
Another North Point senior, Rachel Nueslein, who volunteers in the community and is active in Girl Scouts, will attend the University of Maryland and major in biology.
She was sponsored by her school’s track and field team.
Tina Robertson, sponsored by the Hot Shots 4-H Club, is a senior at McDonough who as a high school student already volunteers with the Bel Alton Volunteer Fire Department. She will attend Warwick Community College.
Abigail Tarburton from St. Charles High School is a Girl Scout Ambassador, Her grandfather was a former president of the fair board. She will attend St. Andrews University in north Carolina where she will seek a degree in business administration.
First Place Runner-Up Rebecca Giannini graduated early from La Plata High School and will attend CSM.
Second Place Runner-up Madison Stanley, a North Point senior, founded a non-profit organization to raise money for cancer research.
Speaker Linda McLaughlin, president of the Education Association of Charles County, told the contestants that they had the power to become anything they put their minds to be.
She invoked the memory of World War II icon Rosie the Riveter.
“ ‘You can do it’ may sound simple, but it is powerful message for women everywhere,” McLaughlin told them.
“Dream big and believe your dreams are important,” she said. “Why? Because they’re yours.”
Jensen Conklin won a $1,000 scholarship from PNC Bank along with her crown, presented by 2015 Queen Nicotina Marie Ammar.
The two runner-ups received $500 scholarships from Community Bank of the Chesapeake and County First Bank.
And as always, Herb Redmond sang “Here She Comes…” as the new queen greeted her subjects in the bleachers.
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com
