ROCHELLE — Miss Ogle County 2016 reflected on this past year since she was crowned.
Maddie Kirchner, Forreston, captured the title at last year’s Ogle County 4-H fair and since then she has enjoyed all of the activities that come with winning the pageant.
But she said it is much more than just being crowned. This past year she has participated in many parades and events along with representing the county downstate last December.
“This has been an amazing experience. I have enjoyed it all,” Kirchner said. “I got to meet amazing people. I would encourage other girls to try out for the event. It’s so much more than a pageant — I have a whole other family.”
Kirchner, 19, is studying nursing at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.

On Friday morning, Kirchner, along with pageant director Michelle Eyster visited Quinn’s Jewelry in Rochelle, which will be donating the tiaras. Owner Marvin Quinn explained he has been donating the tiaras given to the winners for the past seven years.
Eyster said although the pageant is on Aug. 2, contestants are still welcome to register. All girls age 16 to 21 who live in the county are eligible to enter.
Along with Miss Ogle County, there will also be categories of Junior Miss between ages 13 and 15, Young Miss age nine to 12, and Little Miss and Little Mister for children age 5 to 8.
Eyster said recent Miss Ogle County girls shared their experiences and what it meant to them. Below are their responses:
“Miss Ogle 2014, Katrina Lowry, said being queen meant being a role model for little girls.  I look up to my mom and some girls don’t have that chance, so I could be that to some of them.  Being called ‘pretty princess’ numerous times melted my heart and brought a smile to my face.  Being someone’s role model is a huge joy.”
“Miss Ogle 2013, Kendal Anderson, loved the chance to be more involved in the community and also being a role model for younger girls.”
“Miss Ogle 2015, Whitney Felker, said being queen meant being able to represent the county I was born in and love.  It meant being a role model to little girls and being able to show them to be confident and kind.  But most of all it was the amazing friendships and memories that made it all worthwhile.”
For more information or to register, visit www.oglecountyfair.com or contact Michelle Eyster, pageant director, at 815-761-2972.