Profile On: Queen and Her Court!
Friday, August 21, 2009
2009 Knoxville Nationals Queen Crowned
By Joanne Cram
Thirteen young ladies between the ages of 17 and 25, spanning five states got ready for the Queen Competition on Tuesday night, August 11.
The Queen and her court, consisting of a first and second runner up, as well as Miss Congeniality, had many duties beginning even before the court is crowned. The ladies began their day on Tuesday, August 11th over a luncheon, which led directly into individual interviews with the judges. Judging this year’s contest included Craig Dollansky, Tommy Estes, Jr., Billy Alley, Jeannie Butler, Mandy Pittman, and Lori Jackson. Concluding the luncheon and interview portion of the contest, there was an afternoon meet and greet with the Nationals Corporate Sponsors where each lady had the opportunity to meet and greet those sponsors. The ladies took a break for a few hours in preparation for the public portion of the contest. The ladies’ first appearance was in casual attire where they introduced themselves and had an informal conversation with the Master of Ceremony, Tony Bokhoven. When the ladies returned for the second time, they appeared in their gown of choice if chosen for the Queen’s Court. At that time, each lady drew a judge’s number, where the judges had prepared questions to ask of the contestants. The contestants were judged by how well they answered their chosen question, their appearance, how well they were able to handle public speaking, among a few other categories.
The contestants were from Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Nebraska, and Kansas.
Meghan Keller is a 20 year old from Indianola, Iowa. She is a fourth generation race fan. In fact, Meghan’s great grandfather was the mayor of Knoxville and cut the ribbon on the Mile Long Bridge when it was first opened. Meghan was a race fan from her earliest days as a baby and continues to plan her summer vacations around the Knoxville Nationals.
Kassie Moore of Grinnell, Iowa, is a 19 year old with a long family racing history. Her uncle is 360 regular, Dennis Moore Jr. Kassie grew up watching the races, as well as her Aunt Heather (Agnew) Moore receive the Runner Up honors for the Queen Contest. Kassie has attended many Knoxville Nationals Queen Contests and has always wanted to be on the court.
Knoxville’s Lacy Kolpin, 25, teaches math at Knoxville High School. She is looking forward to representing her home town as part of the Queen’s Court. Lacy is a third generation race fan. Lacy remembers attending the Queen Contest when her aunt, Laura Collins received the Queen honors in 1991.
18 year old Janelle Schneiderman of West Burlington, Iowa, is also a race regular. Her brother, Josh Schneiderman races at Knoxville weekly in the 410 class. Janelle’s dad, Bart Schneiderman has also been a fixture at Knoxville Raceway for many years as both a driver and car owner. Janelle hopes to receive the honors of becoming part of the Queen court in part to honor her dad who is fighting his second round of cancer. Janelle thinks this would be just what her dad would need to lift his spirits!
Lori Klootwyk of Knoxville has had past “queen” experience. The 19 year old has been the Marion County Fair Queen at both the Marion County Fair and the Iowa State Fair. Lori has been a race fan her whole life, with fond memories of her parents taking her up in the stands most weekends.
Baxter Iowa’s Kristi De Hoedt is a 20 year old contestant who has attended many Queen Contests as well. Kristi remembers back in 1996 when Kendra Jacobs won the contest and Kristi knew she wanted to be like Kendra some day and be the queen. Kristi has a lot of fun over the Nationals week camping out with friends and family and meeting many new people.
Kelli Moreland of Carlisle, Iowa is hoping to represent Knoxville as the Queen also. Kelli is 20 years old and has been attending the races since she was five years old. Kelli is a huge Matt Moro fan and enjoys watching him each week.
Kayla Timm of Roseland, Nebraska is a very busy young lady. This 17 year old is a leader on her varsity volleyball and basketball teams, an officer on student council, a member of the National Honor Society, and is a member of the Future Business Leaders of America. Kayla has been coming to races since she was just a few years old. Her father also used to race midgets. Kayla’s favorite driver is Kevin Swindell.
18 year old Kristin Plath of Stronghurst, Illinois, hopes to become part of the Queen and the court. Kristin is part of a race family- her father used to race and now owns sprint cars. Kristin’s boyfriend also races. Kristin has been very involved in racing; she helps the Sprint Invaders race series, helps work on her dad’s cars and travels all over to watch her boyfriend and dad’s cars race.
Oquawka, Illinois’s 17 year old Brandie Pullen says she was brought up at the race track. Her grandfather, Jesse Pullen used to build the old time sprint cars, and she has watched her uncles wrench on the cars for years. Brandie has a very driven attitude and has accomplished some major fitness and health goals for herself in the last year, and becoming part of the Queen’s Court would mean a lot to her.
Brooke Hickman of California Missouri, is understandably, a Randy Martin fan, being from the same home town. Brooke is 17 years old and has been attending the Nationals since 1992 with her family. Their family camps out all week and enjoys their time together. Brooke is also a helper when it comes to racing. Her brother raced go karts for many years where she would help with lap times, and now is able to help Randy Martin a bit.
Brook Blurton of Jetmore, Kansas is also eager to serve on the Queen’s Court. The 20 year old fondly remembers growing up at race tracks and thinking the National Anthem was actually the “race track song” and that it ended with, “Let’s go racing!”. Brooke’s dad used to race, so her growing up years are filled with memories of many traveling weekends. Brooke will be attending her 7th Nationals this year.
Also of Jetmore, Kansas, Jennifer Ochs is a 17 year old with hopes of the Queen’s Court. Jennifer says she loves racing, and it is a passion for her. She is very involved with FFA and 4H as their presidents, she is the cheerleading captain squad, and she believes she has the leadership needed to be the Queen. Jennifer was also a huge fan of the late Steve King, also of Jetmore.
Chelsie Livezey is from New Sharon and is 18 years old. Chelsie is a senior at North Mahaska High School, where she is the captain of the dance team, as well as a football cheerleader. Chelsie’s dad has worked on Larry Weeks’ 00 car for many years.
After the judges had spent the day with all the girls and they returned for their evening festivities, the court was finally chosen. One point separated the Queen from the First Runner up. When all the points had been tallied, Meghan Keller was crowned as Queen of the 49th Knoxville Nationals. First Runner Up is Brooke Hickman, Second Runner Up is Brooke Blurton, and the Kathy Visser Miss Congeniality Award went to Kassie Moore.
(Pictured, L to R): 49th Knoxville Nationals Queen Meghan Keller, Second Runner-up Brooke Blurton, First Runner-up Brooke Hickman and Miss Congeniality Kassie Moore.
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