Greene County Fair queen hopes to be role model for others
Greene County Fair Queen Madison Kovach
WAYNESBURG – Moments after newly crowned Greene County Fair Queen Madison Kovach finished officiating the goat show in the 4-H barn Monday morning, a young girl greeted her with a colorful drawing of a Disney princess.
“Why, thank you,” Madison said as she accepted the gift before the girl scurried off.
“It makes me happy that little kids look up to me and it inspires them,” she said. “It makes me feel better about myself, too.”
Madison, 16, who was crowned the fair queen during Sunday afternoon’s pageant, said the honor is especially important to her 6-year-old sister, Grace, who now has ambitions of her own to one day being the fair queen.
“She was so excited,” Madison said.
Although Madison was the only contestant for queen, she was still nervous during the pageant because she’s afraid of speaking to large crowds.
“Once I got the crown, I felt so much better and was really excited,” said Madison, who lives in Jefferson and is heading into her junior year at Jefferson-Morgan High School.
Madison was unsure about even competing until she spoke to Julie Policz, a close friend and last year’s queen. Policz told her about the honor associated with the role, traveling to various parades, festivals and even the State Queen Competition in Hershey.
“It will be really busy,” she said.
Going to the fair is nothing new to her. In the past Madison has competed with her horses and still raises rabbits in the 4-H club, but the role of queen will allow her to meet other kids raising cows, goats and lambs in those clubs. However being viewed as the leader of the fair will be a new role that Madison relishes.
“It’s different,” she said. “I’ll get to know people better.”
But the best part is watching the excitement the youngest future farmers experience when they bring their animals into the show ring to display their livestock. She pointed to some of the children who enthusiastically clutched their ribbons, even if they didn’t place first.
“The little kids get so excited, even if they finished fourth,” Madison said. “They’re just so happy.”