MOUNT VERNON – Elizabeth Swetnam, a 7-year-old student at Utica Elementary School, wanted to compete for the title of Little Miss Knox County because she thought it would be fun.
Competing was fun, Swetnam said, although it was a bit scary.
Swetnam won the title of 2021 Little Miss Knox County after she and four other 7-year-olds from Knox County answered various questions in front of a panel of judges as well as friends and family at the Midway Stage of the Knox County Fairgrounds Sunday.
“I’m excited because I have a trophy,” Swetnam said. “And, it’s my first time actually winning something.”
The Little Miss Knox County competition is open to any girl who lives in Knox County and is 7 years old as of Jan. 1, 2021. Because the contest was canceled in 2020, the fair also had a contest for the 2020 title among 8-year-old girls who were unable to compete last year.
Danville Elementary School student Presley Smith took home the 2020 Little Miss Knox County crown. Smith was excited to have a tiara, she said, and when asked how she felt about winning, Smith said with a broad, toothy smile, “I feel good, really good.”
Both Swetnam and Smith are the first in their families to compete for the title of Little Miss Knox County.
“Thanks to everybody that helped me,” Smith said.
The contestants answered various questions they were asked to prepare ahead of the event. Some included: Why do you like being a kid? What advice would you give your parents? Tell about a funny time in your life? What do you think you’ll be doing 10 years from now?
To answer the last question, Smith said, “What I will be doing in 10 years from now is riding my Jeep convertible to college to be a nurse.”
Smith said her mother is a nurse, and she wants to be just like her mother when she grows up.
The 8-year-old contestants competed first, at 2 p.m., and included: Eleanor Cramern, Tenley Doup, Kayelynn Roush, Kaylor Mills, Presley Smith, Madison Thomspon, and Evlee Rine.
The 7-year-old contestants competed next, around 2:30 p.m., and included: Layla Robinson, Kaley Dugan, Elizabeth Swetnam, Eleanor Fleckenstein, and Ellie Ruckman.
Courtney Culbertson, Katelyn Goetzmen and Angie Smith served as the judges, with Samantha Conant as the master of ceremonies.
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