Dupps named 2024 Madison County Fair Queen
Jul. 15—ALEXANDRIA — Paige Dupps' journey to becoming the Madison County 4-H Fair Queen began five years ago, when her father gave her a goat.
The goat, Felicia, was a gift from her father, who reluctantly welcomed the animal to the family farm.
"My dad always said he's a hog and cattle man," Dupps said. "He never wanted sheep because 'sheep are dumb,' according to him. He never wanted goats because he didn't like goats. He wanted nothing to do with them" she explained Monday.
Convincing her father took years of persistence until he finally allowed her to lease a goat at age 14.
The now-19-year-old then adopted Felicia in 2018 and has since grown her herd.
Dupps' persistence translated to the pageant stage both last year and Sunday night.
Dupps did not place in 2023, but was nevertheless determined to give the pageant another shot.
4-H has been a major part of Dupps' life for more than a decade. Dupps never thought she would compete in the fair queen contest or have a chance of winning.
"I always grew up thinking I was never pretty enough or never able to be the fair queen," Dupps said.
"After talking to the other girls, it's not about what you look like. It's not a beauty contest, it's (about) how you love 4-H."
Competing, she believed, would be another way of challenging herself, something she's striven to do throughout her 4-H tenure.
Dupps will now act as an ambassador for 4-H, according to Tiffany Van Natta, co-director of the county pageant and a former queen.
"It teaches you so many lifelong skills while also helping you to develop your passion," Van Natta said Monday of the program's importance.
"There's so many projects that you can really find something that piques each individual's interest."
Van Natta believes Dupps will do well representing the county program.
Dupps is excited for the opportunity, saying her victory hadn't sunk in Monday but will once the fair begins.
Follow Caleb Amick on Twitter @AmickCaleb. Contact him at [email protected] or 765-648-4254.