Cherish Hankins crowned Miss Missouri Peach Fair 2022 Queen

The Miss Missouri Peach Fair Pageant kicked off the start of the 2022 Peach Fair.

According to event staff, Friday night’s pageant was one of the largest pageants held in many years. With twenty young ladies competing for the crown and title of Miss Missouri Peach Fair 2022, it was no easy task for the judges who had to narrow down the competition.

But in the end it was Cherish Hankins, of Campbell, who captured the attention of the judges and won the elite title and was crowned Miss Missouri Peach Fair 2022.

The pageant began at 8 p.m. at the Community Center where Ashleigh Bedwell, Mistress of Ceremonies, introduced the twenty contestants vying for the title and crown, as the competition began with the Casual Wear Competition.

The twenty contestants wore numbers which were attached to their attire during each portion of the competition. They were: Beginning with number one, Natalie Holloway, of Campbell; Adiley Powers, of Campbell; Elyssa Schatz, of Campbell; Avery Smith, of Gobler; Morgan Bullock, of Holcomb; Amy Kemp, of Holcomb; Tamia Davis, of Pollard, Ark.; Charly Johnson, of Qulin; Chloe Matthews, of Kennett; Mackenzie Angel, of Campbell; Rylee Corlew, of Essex; Kelsey Wilson, of Holcomb; AnnaBeth Vancil, of Campbell; Logan Holman, of Essex; Chloe Edmonston, of Hornersville; Maddie Reeves, of Piggott, Ark.; Hailey Thompson, of Campbell; Addie Buchanan, of Malden; Cherish Hankins, of Campbell; and Paige Young, of Campbell.

After the ladies completed the Casual Wear Competition, there was an intermission before getting on to the Evening Gown Competition. Immediately following the Evening Gown Competition, there was another intermission in order for the judges to narrow the competition down to the top twelve finalists.

At that time, the top twelve finalists were called back out onto the stage, and in no particular order, they were: No. 16 - Maddie Reeves, of Piggott, Ark.; No. 8 - Charly Johnson, of Qulin; No. 17 - Hailey Thompson, of Campbell; No. 11 - Rylee Corlew, of Essex; No. 5 - Morgan Bullock, of Holcomb; No. 2 - Adiley Powers, of Campbell; No. 4 - Avery Smith, of Gobler; No. 13 - AnnaBeth Vancil, of Campbell; No. 15 - Chloe Edmonston, of Hornersville; No. 1 - Natalie Holloway, of Campbell; No. 19 - Cherish Hankins, of Campbell, and No. 3 - Elyssa Schatz, of Campbell.

After the announcement of the top twelve finalists, there was an Evening Gown Competition for the top twelve contestants. Once this was concluded, the judges narrowed the competition down to the top five finalists. They were, in no particular order, Hailey Thompson, Avery Smith, Cherish Hankins, Natalie Holloway, and Rylee Corlew.

At this time, the Judges and Auditors were recognized, as the top five finalists prepared for the final walk and the introduction of Miss Delayni Smith, the 2021 Miss Missouri Peach Fair Pageant Queen. Smith came on stage to crown the winner of the 2022 competition.

Prior to announcing the winner and the fourth, third, second, and first runner-ups, the People’s Choice Award was announced, as well as, the Miss Congeniality Award, which is selected amongst the pageant contestants themselves.

The People’s Choice Award went to Amy Kemp, of Holcomb. Elyssa Schatz, of Campbell, was named as the 2022 Miss Congeniality Award recipient.

And finally, the moment everyone had waited for, the announcement of the 2022 Miss Missouri Peach Fair Court. The 4th Runner-up was Rylee Corlew, of Essex; the 3rd Runner-up was Hailey Thompson, of Campbell; the 2nd Runner-up was Natalie Holloway, of Campbell; the 1st Runner-up was Avery Smith, of Gobler; which left Miss Cherish Hankins, who was crowned the 2022 Miss Missouri Peach Fair Pageant Queen.

The crowns, trophies, and cash awards are provided by The Missouri Peach Fair.

The Peach Fair carnival is set to begin Wednesday evening, Aug. 17th.