Wanda English Burnett
Editor

Julie Hoffrogge filled the stage with her beauty and big smile catching the attention of the judges who named her Miss Ripley County 2010 before a crowd at the historic Damm Theatre in Osgood Sunday evening.

“She is so sweet and wonderful to work with,” noted Mary Beth Hackman, co-chair of the pageant that has now crowed its 52nd queen.

Hoffrogge’s parents, Don and Diane, other family members and boyfriend surrounded her on stage shortly after she was named as photographers from Hunter Photography captured the moment on their cameras. The newly named queen told the Osgood Journal she was excited to be crowned queen and looks forward to her duties when Ripley County 4-H Fair begins July 18.

When asked what her most meaningful achievement was, Hoffrogge, who is a dedicated 4-H member, noted it was her time as a ten-year member of the organization. She noted she was the eldest of seven children. She enjoys making new friends and said that was the best part of the pageant. She was crowned wearing a soft lavender gown fit for a queen.

Her court includes Miss Congeniality and second runner up, Victoria Woulms; fourth runner up, Ashley Vestal; third runner up, Olivia Woolum and first runner up, Sarah Webster.

Woulms, dressed in a lace overlay gown answered her question about who most influenced her life by saying it was her grandpa Woulms. She said with only a third grade education, he aspired to successfully raising his family, owning property and being a person who “inspires me so much.”

Fourth runner up, Vestal, answered the impromptu question, which she said scared her to death, about the need for students to do volunteer work to graduate from high school by saying, they definitely “should give some heart back”.

Woolum, who was stunning in both the Professional Wear and Evening Wear competitions, was dressed in a shiny sequined gown as she was named third runner up. She won the Professional Wear category wearing a cream jacket and brown skirt suit. When answering her impromptu question, Woolum said she felt the most important thing to teach children, was confidence. She shared she has been taught to be confident by her parents, and will pass it on to future generations.

Taking the Evening Wear competition was first runner up, Sarah Webster, who was elegant in her red gown. Webster said her future goals are to graduate from college and work with sports medicine or in a children’s hospital.

The pageant saw nine candidates vying for spots in the 2010 queen’s court.

Each year the pageant raises money for local food pantries through the candidates. This year the theme was “disco diva dollars”. The People’s Choice award went to Jessie Menchhofer for raising the most money. The total collected was $241.91.

Rob Vestal and former 2009 Miss Ripley County, Kathryn Sidell, emceed the event that had the theme Disco Fever. Co-chairs of the pageant were Mary Beth Hackman and Becky Harmeyer. Committee members included: Monica Hansen, Sara Comer, Penny Moore, Amanda Kunz, Leasa Nay, Krystal McBride and Megan Krall.

Vonda Miller was the judge’s chair with judges Nathan and Jessica Floyd and Ruthann Meyer officiating.

WANDA ENGLISH BURNETT PHOTO Pictured is Miss Ripley County 2010 Julie Hoffrogge, who was crowned Sunday evening at the Damm Theatre in Osgood, where the 52nd pageant was held. See inside photo for the Queen's Court. Hoffrogge is the daughter of Don and Diane Hoffrogge of Milan. She is sponsored by the Milan Volunteer Fire Department.