CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, IL (Chambana Today) – This year’s Miss Champaign County Fair, Sophia Hartkey, is celebrating more than a crown—she’s celebrating growth, confidence, and a deeper connection to her community. Hartkey, an 18-year-old from Mahomet, was named Miss Champaign County Fair 2025 after standing out among contestants through her interviews, stage presence, and personal character. A recent high school graduate, she plans to attend college in the fall and has been active in 4-H, FFA, and local community service projects.
At the Champaign County Fair, pageant contestants go through a series of interviews with judges and model in fashion shows—showcasing not only their poise but also their personalities and ambitions. For Hartkey, the pageant was a chance to represent young women in agriculture and leadership, and an opportunity to grow her public speaking skills and self-confidence.
For Jamie Ulrey, Vice President and General Manager of Illini Media Group, pageants like this one are more than just tradition—they’re transformative. Ulrey, a former pageant competitor herself, said the experience gave her valuable life tools.
“I learned how to carry myself with confidence, how to speak respectfully, and how to present myself in high-pressure situations,” Ulrey said. “Those skills helped guide me from competing in pageants to training in camo—they helped pave the way for my next step in life, joining the Marine Corps.”
Ulrey said the discipline and grace learned through pageants taught her more than public speaking and fashion sense. “It’s about responsibility, professionalism, and learning how to represent something bigger than yourself,” she added.
The Champaign County Fair kicks off Friday and runs through July 26, with events ranging from the Rodeo and Demolition Derby to the Draft Horse Show and Horse Pull. For a full schedule and event details, visit the fair’s official website.