The annual Queen and Teen pageants at the Howard County Fair will take place at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Howard County Fairgrounds. The Prince and Princess contest starts at 6 p.m. 

Queen Contestants 

Melissa Innes

Melissa Innes is the 18-year-old daughter of Mike and Carrie Cross and Eddie Innes Jr. She was a member of the Fayette FFA, where she served as the chapter secretary, treasurer, president, and area 4 treasurer. In FFA, she received her Greenhand, Chapter, Area, and State FFA degrees, the star greenhand and star farmer awards, the chapter proficiency award, and the state leadership award. She competed on the Swine Facility Management team, which placed third overall at state, and competed at the state level for livestock judging.

Melissa was also a member of SkillsUSA for two years, where she served as VP. She was also active in the National Technical Honor Society for two years, where she placed top 1st year and top 2nd year student and received the breaking traditions award. Melissa graduated from Fayette High School in 2025 and plans on attending the College of the Ozarks at Point Lookout, Missouri, for nursing and agriculture. She wants to pursue either CRNA, NP, or EMT while also running a beef cattle operation and supporting young future agriculturalists.

Kinsley  Washburn

Kinsley Washburn is the 18-year-old daughter of Melissa and Frank Washburn. She graduated from New Franklin High School in 2025. She is currently taking real estate classes online and will be attending the University of Central Missouri in the fall to study business sales. In high school, she was active in National Honor Society, and served as the secretary for the New Franklin FFA chapter. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family. 

Browyn Eubanks

A third contestant for the Howard County Fair Queen contest was announced after the Advertiser had gone to press on Tuesday. Browyn Eubanks is the 17-year-old daughter of Kayla McGuire. She will be a senior next fall at Fayette High School, where she was elected President of the junior class and has been a member of the student council for three years.

An outstanding athlete, Eubanks won the state title in the Class 2 300-meter hurdles as a sophomore at the Class 2 State Track & Field Meet. She has qualified for state track all three years, earning state medals in several events. 

Eubanks has been a member of the Lady Falcons basketball team for three years, helping to lead her team to a district championship in 2024. She played softball as a freshman and is returning for her senior season this fall.

After high school, Eubanks plans to pursue a track scholarship and study sonography or medical forensics in college. 

Teen Contestants 

Cecilia Saylor

Cecilia Saylor is the 13-year-old daughter of Aron and Heidi Saylor. She enjoys playing softball and cheerleading. She is also a member of the National Juniors Honor Society, a member of student council, and plays three instruments in band. In softball, she plays right field. 

Her future plans are to have good grades throughout school and attend college. She wants to go to Stanford University and earn a master’s degree in business so she can own her own boutique in Fayette one day.

Kadence Sulltrop

Kadence Sulltrop is the 15-year-old daughter of Troy and Amber Overfelt and the late Chad Sulltrop. She will be a sophomore this fall at Fayette High School. Her future plans are to go to nursing school and work in labor and delivery. Currently, she is an active member of Fayette’s FFA chapter where she has been awarded Academic Excellence Award for Ag 1, the Star Greenhand Award, Creed Speaker, SAE Award Program, and is serving as the chapter’s reporter. She is also a member of the chapter’s Livestock and Dairy Cattle judging teams. Kadence is involved in FHS Softball and is a renaissance gold card holder. In her spare time, she likes setting up photo shoots and petting zoos for Sulltrop Livestock.

Molly Wies

Molly Wies is the daughter of Blake and Sarah Wies of Fayette. She has two younger siblings, Scott and Jenna. Molly will be a junior at Fayette High School this fall, where she will serve as the FFA President for the 2025-2026 school year. In her free time, she enjoys baking and spending time with her friends and family.