From the small club to the big stage: Boggs from Strawtown wins the 4-H crown

By RICHIE HALL
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NOBLESVILLE – The person who was most surprised by Cheyenne Boggs’ victory in the Hamilton County 4-H Queen election was probably Cheyenne Boggs herself.

The Strawtown resident and soon-to-be Hamilton Heights senior said after being crowned queen that dresses and makeup are “not my thing.” But with her confidence and outgoing nature, Boggs won the crown in last Friday’s pageant, held at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds in Noblesville.

Boggs was one of 16 contestants in the beauty pageant, which has been held since 1961. The 17-year-old has been a member of 4-H for nine years and president of the Heartland 4-Hers for three years. She is the daughter of David Boggs and Mandy Boggs.

“It’s just a small, local club,” said Cheyenne Boggs. “We love it the way it is.”

Boggs had to miss the first event because she was competing in a Future Farmers of America (FFA) competition, which she admitted “totally threw me off track. But I went into it with a confident, strong mind. I wanted to do my best no matter what the outcome was, and I guess that’s what happened.”

But participating in FFA helped her during the interview portion of the competition, which took place on the morning of the pageant when the contestants were interviewed by the judges.

“I was definitely nervous, but I’m someone who doesn’t like to show my nervousness at all,” Boggs said. “So I’ve been in a lot of interviews with FFA. I know I can talk about myself, it’s nothing special. I knew I would answer questions to the best of my knowledge, and once it’s out of my mouth, I can’t change it.”

The contestants take part in an evening gown competition during the pageant, where they are asked a question by master of ceremonies Adam Good. He asked Boggs, “What is your favorite 4-H project and how has it helped you prepare for the future?”

“My favorite project in 4-H is definitely Junior Leaders,” Boggs said. “I get to work with all these wonderful ladies and we learn public speaking and a hundred other things that help us in our careers and our future.”

Boggs also got to know her competitors better and was grateful for the relationships they formed with each other.

“I’m definitely going to leave with 16 friends forever,” Boggs said. “I knew most of the girls when they were there, but I didn’t know their backgrounds and certain things about them that I would never have known if I hadn’t been in that pageant.”

Queen’s Court

Shortly before Boggs was crowned 4-H Queen, Good announced the members of the Queen’s Court, which consists of Sophia Hulen (first runner-up), Josephine Kile (second runner-up), Meghan Haws (third runner-up), and Mac Smith (fourth runner-up).

Kile was also crowned Miss Congeniality. She is the daughter of John and Kristin Kile and a member of the Harey Hoppers. Kile said it was “an honor to be Miss Congeniality,” which is voted on by her peers, and she is “so excited to work with all of these amazing young ladies during the 4-H Fair.”

“I learned a lot about public speaking and interview techniques, as well as how to communicate with people of all ages,” Kile said.