Remi Fokine crowned Queen Jubilee XLVI

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Remi Fokine may have been one of the most surprised people in the S.F. Goedde Building when they named her this year’s Peony Pageant queen.

“I didn’t believe it! I was, like, ‘oh my gosh!’” the 2021 Parkway graduate said of her response after being named Queen Jubilee XLVI by emcee Susan Burchfield. “I was so surprised!

Fokine, the daughter of Timothy and Megan Fokine, earned $1,200 in scholarship money and a number of other gifts for being the 2021 Peony queen.

While she said the COVID pandemic created a number of challenges for pageant organizers and contestants, with a number of postponements and changes, Fokine said possibly the biggest challenge for her was stepping outside her comfort zone.

“I’m kind of one to be timid and not share myself, and I was really pushed out of my comfort zone and have been able to truly express myself,” said Fokine. “The girls have really allowed me to do that, and I’m thankful for that.”

Fokine, who plans to attend Malone College in the fall majoring in biology on a pre-med track, said making new friends was another of the many positives of competing in the pageant.

“It’s been such an incredible experience,” she said, noting that she was really looking forward to her yearlong reign as Queen Jubilee XLVI — especially the ride later Saturday on the queen’s float in the Peony Grand Parade.

Delphos St. John’s contestant Lillian Hempfling, daughter of Susan and Chuck Hempfling, was this year’s first runner-up, as well as “Most Photogenic,” earning a total of $900 in scholarship money, while Lincolnview’s Dylann Carey, daughter of Leigh and Randall Carey, was second runner-up and earned a $600 scholarship. Crestview’s Bailey Gregory, daughter of Tammy and Mark Gregory, won the Talent Award and $400 for signing to the song “If You Can Only Imagine,” while Delphos Jefferson’s Alexa Chung, daughter of Angela Chung, was named “Miss Congeniality” by her fellow contestants, and also earned the Community Involvement Award and a total of $500 in scholarships. Janie Trejo, daughter of Kristi and Eugene Trejo, earned a basket of gift cards for winning the “People’s Choice” award for being the contestant the public most wanted to be Peony queen.

Other 2021 contestants were Vantage Career Center’s Jayda Stutz, daughter of Lisa Menke; Paulding’s Megan Dearth, daughter of Eric and Melissa Dearth; and Wayne Trace’s Emma Crosby, daughter of. Chad and Angela Crosby.

Escorts were Octavius Tucker, Trevor Sheets, and Carson Bowen, while judges were William Sauerland, Ashlee Bickley, and Nancy Henthorne.

As he has for more than two decades, local CPA Rick Sealscott was pageant auditor.

Scholarship sponsors included Amanda and Jason Richey, Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197, Jamie Linn’s Boutique, Greif Brothers, Straley Realty & Auctioneers, Leland Smith Insurance, Raabe Ford-Lincoln, Bee Gee Realty & Auction Company, American Legion Post 178, K&L Ready Mix, First Federal Savings & Loan, FW Jr. and Marge Purmort Trust/Van Wert County Foundation, and Ace Hardware.

Special thanks went to Kam Manufacturing/Stephanie Dawn, Laudick’s Jewelry, The Well Nutrition, Bee Inspired by Kylie, Impressions Salon, Kim Hohman Dance Works, John Ousley A/V and Lighting, Mary Kay consultant Kim Ousley, Christine Ulrich, Once I Was, Fettig’s Flowers, Trends Salon, Julie Moore, and Bailey Wallace.