PHOTO BY STALZER PHOTOGRAPHY — Lily Fischer of Melbourne, the 2023 Central Iowa Fair Queen, will be competing beginning Aug. 8 for the Iowa State Fair Queen title.

A 16-year-old West Marshall High School student who first entered the arena as a kindergartner showing cattle in 4-H events is but several days away from being in the spotlight in one of Iowa’s premier events.

Lily Fischer of Melbourne will depart Tuesday for Des Moines not long after arrival, begin showcasing her talents in hopes of winning the coveted title of Iowa State Fair Queen.

She will be up against dozens of other talented young women like herself from across the state.

Fischer is going in with a positive attitude built on experience gleaned from dozens of 4-H and Future Farmers of America contests, melded with high school sports.

At West Marshall, she has been going up against other talented athletes in softball, volleyball, and wrestling.

To officially enter the 2023 Iowa State Fair Queen contest, Fischer won the title of this year’s Central Iowa Fair Queen at the Central Iowa Fair in Marshalltown last month.

There, she beat out four other talented young women.

It required submitting a written application followed by rigorous interviews conducted by judges.

After being announced as the winner, she immediately began promoting the fair during its four-day run.

In addition, she teamed up with her sister, Luella, to show cattle at CIF, again competing against other talented youth.

There was more.

An entry of photographs at CIF earned an award advancing it to the state fair in the Fine Art & Photography category.

Meanwhile, she found time to fulfill duties in her second year as 4-H chapter president, attend church, work-out in sports camps, help with farm chores, and importantly – prepare her application to state fair queen judges with the help of family, friends, and area businesses.

“My dad, Scott, my mom, Jaia, Luella, and Jodi Breniman of Marshalltown, president of the CIF board, have all been extremely helpful,” she said. “Stalzer Photography of Marshalltown and Jacobson Photography of State Center were gracious in providing photos free-of charge that are required for the application.”

But the written application is only one part of a protracted, detailed process.

Fischer said there will be appearances at fair events, numerous interviews with judges, including a “quick-fire” round where contestants must succinctly answer a variety of thought-provoking questions.

Contestants are judged on attitude, awareness, charm, citizenship, contributions to the community, overall appearance, and poise, according to the state fair website.

The winner is awarded a $500 scholarship from the state fair queen alumni.

Once the state fair concludes Fischer said she is dedicated to promoting agriculture, FFA, and 4-H.

She has a special place in her heart for 4-H.

“We learn while having a lot of fun in 4-H,” she said. “It is important that we pass on 4-H values to the next generation … they are the future,” she said. “We also have a lot of fun in 4-H.”

The junior-to-be said her post-high school plans currently include attending Iowa State University in Ames.

“I am interested in marketing or communications,” she said. “I served my FFA chapter as the reporter this last year and it sparked my interest. I created flyers for special events and updates, which I posted on social media.”

Despite a demanding academic and extra-curricular schedule, Fischer said she takes time to relax with family and friends which earlier this summer included a week of boating and recreation in the Iowa Great Lakes area.