Kristina Neu is 2015 Miss Effingham County Fair

(2015 EFFINGHAM COUNTY FAIR QUEEN KRISTINA NEU)

Kristina Neu was crowned the 2015 Miss Effingham County Fair Queen Tuesday night.

The win by the 18-year-old Neu gives the Beecher City community a clean sweep where royalty is concerned this year, as Kailynn Moeller was named Effingham County Junior Miss on Saturday night.

Queen Kristina is the daughter of Fred and Phyllis Neu, and will be a freshman at Lake Land Community College. She plans to eventually transfer to Illinois State University and pursue a degree in Agribusiness.

Kristina was crowned by retiring queen Melissa Davis of Dieterich. She will reign over the balance of this year's fair, and will then compete in January in Springfield at the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs Convention. The winner there will reign over the 2016 Illinois State Fair and DuQuoin State Fair.

The first runner-up is Jodi Thoele, 18-year-old daughter of Tony and Susan Thoele and an incoming freshman at Lake Land. The second runner-up is Ashley Jamerson, 20-year-old daughter of Greg and Julie Jamerson and an incoming junior at the University of Illinois.

Another contestant, Anna Wines, had a good night, too. Wines won the Highest Ticket Sales, People's Choice and Biggest Fan Club awards. The Highest Ticket Sales award speaks for itself, the People's Choice Award is awarded to the contestant that collected the most money in an effort to help defray the cost of the new queen's state wardrobe costs.

The pageant also had its poignant moments, as longtime director Colleen Gephart announced she would not be returning as director next year. Gephart completed 15 years as director this year. Past fair queen Christin Niemerg will take over as pageant director.

There was also a moment of silence for Fair Treasurer Bill Jones, who died Saturday morning.