Jordyn Wickard spoke on endurance during an impromptu speech response in the April 10 Indiana State Fair Queen pageant. Wickard placed in the top 10.
Submitted photo
INDIANAPOLIS – Hancock County native Jordyn Wickard placed in the top 10 in the Indiana State Fair Queen Pageant April 10, in a field of more than 100 contestants made up of 2020 and 2021 county fair queens from across the state.
Wickard, 19, an Eastern Hancock High School graduate, was named queen of the Hancock County Fair in 2020. Since there was no statewide pageant last year due to the pandemic, queens from both 2020 and 2021 were eligible to compete for the title; in all there were 114 contestants.
“I was so blessed to simply make it past the first round,” Wickard wrote in an email. “Each girl who ran this year was incredible and outstanding. I am beyond happy I had the opportunity to run with such an outstanding group.”
The contest included modeling as well as interviews with a prepared speech and an impromptu answer. Wickard’s impromptu response on the word “endurance” spoke of not only a physical game but a mental game as well, she said. She spoke on endurance being the foundation of what drives passions.
Miss Wabash County 2020 Alyssa McKillip won the crown; the Indiana State Fair Queen promotes the state fair during the summer months across the state.
Wickard’s family includes parents Chris and Julia Wickard and brother, Jacob.
Wickard is currently serving as treasurer on the Indiana Future Farmers of America Board. She is taking a “gap year” between high school and college to live at the FFA Leadership Center grounds in Trafalgar and educate local students, the state legislature and industry leaders about the FFA.
She plans to attend Purdue University this fall and major in agricultural communications; upon graduation, she hopes to work for an agriculture company, speaking on behalf of what the business represents, becoming an agriculture industry influencer.
“I had an absolute blast participating in the contest and representing Hancock County at such a high standard,” Wickard said of the pageant. “Hancock County will forever be my home at heart, and I thank each individual who has pushed me to be the best I can be, and who have gotten me to this point.”
