Published: July 15, 2008 01:51 pm      

Two local contestants win crowns at pageant

Andrea Walker crowned Miss Laurel Co. Fair

With dresses flowing, hair spray flying and bright smiles, 37 girls participated in the the Laurel County Fair pre-teen, teen and miss pageants Wednesday. Two of the crowns went to local girls, with 8-year-old Presley Morgan clinching the pre-teen glory and Taylor Hubbard earning the sash in the teen categories.

Morgan, who is a consistent winner in the pageant circuit, was excited about her win.

“It feels really special to me because a lot of people are here right now,” she said. “It shocks me that I won.”

Hubbard, 13, was equally taken aback.

“I’m really happy. I’m surprised though,” she said.

Andrea Walker, 18, of Wilmore, Ky., was crowned Miss Laurel County Fair.

“It’s amazing,” she said. “I’m in total shock right now.”

In the competition, there were 14 girls competing in the Miss category, 14 in the teen and nine in the pre-teen.

Emily Blanton, 8, was among the girls in the pre-teen category. Though it was her first pageant, she was already hooked.

“I think it’s fun because I get to see all the people cheering for me,” she said.

Blanton also seemed to know what it took to be a good contestant.

“Smile big and do the best you can,” she said.

Margaret Correll, of Somerset, was last year’s Miss Laurel County Fair and was on hand to cheer the girls on and

Correll, 22, has been competing in pageants since she was 5, and she still enjoys it.

“I like the relationships you establish,” she said. “You get lifelong friends when you compete.”

Staff writer Tara Kaprowy can be reached by e-mail at tkaprowy@sentinel-echo.com.