The Van Wert County Courthouse

Friday, Mar. 29, 2024

Hancock earns Queen Jubilee XXXIX title

CINDY WOOD/independent feature writer

Chelsea Hancock’s smile was beaming as brightly as her sparkly evening gown Friday evening after the Crestview High School senior was announced as the community’s Queen Jubilee XXXIX.

Queen Jubilee XXXIX Chelsea Hancock
Queen Jubilee XXXIX Chelsea Hancock

Hancock, daughter of Eric and Danille Hancock, said she was cautiously optimistic during the pageant and was happy to just be a part of a storied community tradition that dates back to the 1930s.

That unselfish personality and bubbly demeanor also earned Hancock the title of Miss Congeniality, an honor she was happy to accept from the seven other pageant contestants.

With that cautious optimism, Hancock was hoping to hear her name announced as Queen Jubilee, but also said she knew she was up against some tough competition.

“I did really want to hear my name, but, honestly, there are just so many great candidates this year that I would have been happy for any of them,” Hancock said. “They are all truly great girls and I’m so glad we all got to become friends.”

Hancock is more than happy to share the spotlight with the state basketball champion Crestview Knights, who she proudly called out during her introduction to the audience. “I’m proudly representing the Division IV state champions. Go Knights!” she enthusiastically said during the opening of the pageant.

Calling the candidates the “best and the brightest of our community,” emcee Susan Burchfield was her usual witty self as she introduced each contestant and highlighted their activities and community involvement.

“The girls here tonight are already winners and have been chosen by their schools to participate in the pageant,” Burchfield said. “These eight women have been working very hard to perfect their performances, to choose their evening gowns and to prepare for the question and answer period. You are going to see the best and the brightest of our community tonight performing for you.”

Queen Jubilee XXXIX Chelsea Hancock (center) with Second Runner-up Claire Gamble (left) and First Runner-up Elizabeth Griffin. (Cindy Wood/Van Wert independent)
Queen Jubilee XXXIX Chelsea Hancock (center) with Second Runner-up Claire Gamble (left) and First Runner-up Elizabeth Griffin. (Cindy Wood/Van Wert independent)

That they did.

Each of the contestants’ achievements and activities were highlighted, as was their talents, which ranged from a touch of the tuba to lyrical and jazz dance performances.

Hancock chose a mesmerizing solo on the Celtic harp that drew thunderous applause from the audience, but it was Spencerville senior Elizabeth Griffin who brought the house down during the talent portion of the competition with a stunning vocal solo performance. Griffin, daughter of Robert and Janis Griffin, would later be announced the talent winner, as well as first runner-up.

Second runner-up was Claire Gamble, daughter of Jay and Tonia Gamble and a senior at Van Wert High School.

Meanwhile, Hancock’s already busy schedule is about to become even busier, as she will be representing the community during several Peony Festival-related appearances and activities, capped off by the annual festival itself in June.

Hancock is currently involved in a number of community and club activities, which include Pleasant View youth group, Ohio Challengers 4-H club and the Grand Lake Orchestra, where she plays the violin. Hancock also participates in cross country, Knight Vision, the National Honor Society, and band. Hancock plans to attend the University of Toledo, where she will major in pharmacy.

Queen Jubilee XXXIX Chelsea Hancock and her court. (Cindy Wood/independent photo)
Queen Jubilee XXXIX Chelsea Hancock and her court. (Cindy Wood/Van Wert independent)

Hancock said she was first drawn to the pageant when a friend, Mari Young, was crowned Queen Jubilee XXXVI.

“We’ve been involved in a lot of things together, and I was able to see how great she did, and what a wonderful opportunity it was,” Hancock said.

Other candidates competing during the pageant included Tori Suever, Delphos Jefferson; Amberlyn Miller, Lincolnview; Cheyenne Stant, Parkway; Rachel Nicelley, Paulding and Mackenzie Haney, Wayne Trace.

Escorts for the pageant were Dylan Henry, Aaron Bradford and Eric Easley. The girls were judged throughout the evening by Becky Goshorn, Steve Keller, Meggan Yahl and Todd Schreiber. Preliminary judges were Marsha Owens, Lynn Bell and Gail Fennig.

Pageant Director Kylie Mills thanked those in attendance for supporting the girls, and also thanked her committee, which included Becki Mollenkopf, Karen Pugh, Kelly Cooper and Laurie Zeeff.  “They work very hard to put this all together, and the girls have been practicing all week, so thank you all for supporting them tonight,” Mills said.

As usual, the little flower girls drew the biggest collective “awwwww” from the crowd as they presented each candidate with a peony flower. Flower girls were Melissa Joseph, Hailey Norbeck, Aubree Miller, Sarah Sheppard, Mahala Stabler, Isabella Wagner, Leah Krites and Sydney Sinn. Carlie Bellman served as crown bearer.

POSTED: 04/05/14 at 1:29 am. FILED UNDER: News