2023 Cass County Queen: Meet the eight contestants
Jul. 7—As Miss Cass County, Makenna Leicht has shown grace and poise while inspiring many children she has encountered during the past year.
On Saturday night she will hand over her crown as the 2023 Cass County Fair kicks off.
"We have a wonderful group of girls this year," said Taylor Pullen, director of the Miss Cass County Program. "They are so down to earth and get along so well. They have grown tremendously this summer and myself and the committee cannot wait to show them off on Saturday. We hope to see you there supporting them."
Eight contestants are ready to vie for the crown beginning at 7 p.m. at the Cass County Fairgrounds, 2281 E. County Road 125 N.
During the course of the event Miss Teen Cass County, Junior Miss Cass County and Little Miss Cass County will also be determined.
Before heading out to the fair Saturday, here's an opportunity to get to know the young women looking to represent Cass County over the next year.
Chloe Early
Chloe is the daughter of Greg and Abby Early of Twelve Mile. She is a recent graduate of Caston High School and will be attending Manchester University this fall to study athletic training. While in high school she volunteered with the Volunteer Fire Department and First Responders, was an active in Future Farmers of America (FFA), Key Club, The Athletic Leadership Council, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, National Honors Society, Student Advisory Council and was a yearbook editor. She is a member of the Adams Hoosier Harvesters 4-H club and an eight year 4-H member.
If chosen as Miss Cass County, how could you be a positive influence on your peers?
If I were chosen as Miss Cass County, I would speak on how important it is to take care of your mental wellbeing. In Indiana alone, the Center for Disease Control reports about 1,129 deaths due to suicide as of 2021. I will speak on behalf of all the victims of suicide and let people know that there is nothing wrong with asking for help. I will speak from my heart on the topic, for I had a family member recently attempt suicide. While they were not successful with the attempt, it has left a deep scar in my heart and I want to do everything in my power to have the number listed above go down to zero. I have a lot of family that are first responders and have seen the impact that the line of duty has on them. The risk for first responders is much higher due to the traumatic things they see in the line of duty. According to IN.gov, "First responders are also more likely to die by suicide than they are to die in the line of duty." I would like to help provide first responders the help they need to get through PTSD and depression so they can stay healthy and keep fighting for our safety.
Lexi Freeman
Lexi is the daughter of Steve and Andrea Freeman of Galveston. She is a recent graduate of Lewis Cass High School and in the fall will be attending Ivy Tech Community College to study agriculture in hopes of transferring to Purdue University after two years to focus on Agronomy. While in high school she was on the volleyball team, swim team and managed the boys' basketball and baseball teams. She is a four-year FFA member and a 10 year 4-H member exhibiting cattle, pigs and goats. She has also participated in many non-walking projects along with junior leaders and shooting sports. Lexi is a proud member of Galveston United In Faith Church.
If chosen as Miss Cass County, how could you be a positive influence on your peers?
I would be a positive influence on my peers by showing compassion to everyone I encounter and lead by example in everything I am involved in, such as FFA, my 4-H clubs and in junior leaders.
Maggie Halterman
Maggie is the daughter Tasha Halterman and the late Scott Halterman of Logansport. She is a 2023 graduate of Logansport High School and is excited to be attending Ball State University in the fall to studying elementary education and child life. While in high school, she was involved in the Logansport Children's Choir, Logansport high school swing choir, Indiana All State honor choir, Circle the State with Song, Pep Club and honor society. In her spare time, she has volunteered with the salvation army, cooked meals for the homeless shelter with her youth group and helped at the Emmaus Misson Center.
If chosen as Miss Cass County, how could you be a positive influence on your peers?
In my opinion, someone in leadership should always try their best to be a team player. I have had many different leadership positions over my four years in high school and something I have learned is that you have to be a team player. I love getting to meet new people and see their perspectives on things. If you see a different side to an argument, then you can make a better decision because you have seen it from all sides and perspectives. I think that a way that I could be a positive influence on my peers would be to show people how to be team players. I would also want to be there for people going through adversities in their life. My family and I have had many trials in the past eight years, so I want to be someone that people think they can talk to about anything. I think these are both ways that I could be a positive influence on my peers.
Finley Hettinger
Finley is the daughter of Brian and Jessica Hettinger of Logansport. She is a 2023 graduate of Logansport High School and is enrolled at the Summit Salon Academy where she wants to pursue a career in cosmetology. While in high school she was on the volleyball, basketball and track and field teams, was a member of the Kiwanis Club, Pep Club, "Tattler" and sources of strength. She is a member of Revolution Church and enjoyed teaching swim lessons.
If chosen as Miss Cass County, how could you be a positive influence on your peers?
If chosen as Miss Cass County I would want to be a positive outlook towards my community and peers. When I think of being a positive influence for your peers, I think of someone that is real. Someone that shows all their feelings but keeps a smile on their face. I would like to be that peer that shows little girls and boys that it is okay to have bad days but to show them how to make that bad day and turn it into a positive. Miss Cass County is an incredible title to take on and it would be a pleasure to represent Cass County. All my life I have lived in Logansport and I have been in this program since Little Miss Cass County. Cass County is historic and small. You get to know everyone eventually and that's what I love about it. I love meeting new faces and seeing the familiar faces.
Emma Logan
Emma is the daughter of Rusty and Dawn Logan of Logansport. She is a recent graduate of Lewis Cass High School and this fall will be attending Indiana University Kokomo to study elementary education. While in high school she was involved in softball, swimming, a cross country manager, Students Against Drunk Driving, Spanish Club, Champions Together, Key Club, FFA, Junior Leaders, 4-H and is a part Upper Deer Creek Church and Illumin8 Youth Group.
If chosen as Miss Cass County, how could you be a positive influence on your peers?
When thinking about why I want to be the next county fair queen, many memories of the fair came back to me. I have wonderful memories of meeting up with friends at the fair, attending the carnival, going to the dance and making new friends. The fair is a great time for all, bringing the community together to enjoy all the different components that are offered. I am excited about the opportunity to represent the county and would enjoy traveling to other communities, meeting new people and sharing information about our county with others. I will project a positive attitude, make people feel comfortable when visiting with them and keep in mind to have a fun filled time and keep on smiling. I am not afraid to take on new challenges, as it is through the climb that we truly find out what our potential is. As I am getting older and meeting the challenges of growing older, I am finding out more about myself all the time. I have learned that I have determination and perseverance to accomplish more than I thought I could. I have patience and a soft heart for children and that I look forward to each day so I can be the best that I can be.
Bailey Morales
Bailey is the daughter of Edith Villamar and Jesus Morales of Logansport. She is a 2020 graduate of Logansport high School and in 2022 graduated from the make-up academy. This fall she is hoping to advance her esthetician career with new courses at the Texas Beauty School. While attending high school she was a member of the Safe Club, Chinese club, Travel Club and Diversity Club. She was also a cheerleader and on the golf team. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, going on walks and spending time with family and friends.
If chosen as Miss Cass County, how could you be a positive influence on your peers?
If I were chosen to be Miss Cass County, I would be a positive influence on my peers by being always kind and polite to others. That's an important factor to me as it represents what being the face of Miss Cass County means.
Jenna Roeske
Jenna is the daughter Mark and Karla Roeske of Walton. She is a 2023 graduate of Lewis Cass High School and this fall will be attending Ivy Tech Indianapolis to major in Baking and Pastry Arts. While in high school she was a member of the band, cross country and track and field teams and swam for one year. She is a proud member of the Washington Township 4-H club and this year will complete her 10th year in 4-H. Her projects include sewing/fashion review, foods/ food preservation, genealogy and showing sheep.
If chosen as Miss Cass County, how could you be a positive influence on your peers?
If I was chosen to be the next Miss Cass County, I would be a positive influence on my peers by always encouraging everyone to be their best, keeping a smile on my face no matter how tired I am, always being my best to set a good example and making sure that everyone is always involved and no one feels left out.
Briana Schmaltz
Briana is the daughter of Jeremy and Tabitha Schmaltz of Royal Center. She is a 2021 graduate of Pioneer High School and in the fall, she will be a junior at Purdue University studying animal science. While in high school she was inducted into the National Honor Society and was a part of sunshine society. Now in college, she is a part of the Purdue Grand Prix, A Cause for Paws and enjoys volunteering at Natalie's Second Chance Dog Shelter where she helps walk dogs and work on simple skills with them.
If chosen as Miss Cass County, how could you be a positive influence on your peers?
If chosen as Miss Cass County, I would be a positive influence on my peers by showing that it is okay to be imperfect. We all have differences and flaws and it is important to showcase them as it makes us all unique. I would demonstrate through my everyday actions that it is important to be caring and celebrate minor accomplishments. Even a simple smile at a stranger can go a long way. I would promote being involved in our community and meeting new people by attending events and being a warm presence that I hope people come to recognize.
