Kadence Elizabeth Ledbetter was radiant on the runway Monday night to emerge from a field of 31 lovely ladies and be crowned Warren County Fairest of the Fair.

Ledbetter, an 18-year-old freshman at Motlow, was glamourous in a full-length, V-neck sequin gown. The dress accentuated the color of her flowing blond hair.

“It was nerve-racking,” said Ledbetter, who let out a slight scream when she was announced as the winner. “I thought I blew it on Sunday with my interview, but I felt like I did better tonight.”

Contestants interviewed with judges the day before the pageant with that interview representing a portion of their score. On Monday night, girls in the top 10 were asked one on-stage question and Ledbetter was asked, “Who is your role model and why?”

She said, “My role model would have to be my stepdad because he took us in and he treats us like we’re one of his own.”

Asked about any platform she might have during her reign as Fairest of the Fair, Ledbetter said, “With COVID the way it is, I definitely want to help out in the community any way that I can.”

The Fairest of the Fair court includes first runner-up Lauren Mansfield, second runner-up Arden Cummins, third runner-up Hallie Jo Pennington, and Miss Congeniality Alondra Parada.

Mansfield, 16, is a pageant veteran and junior at Warren County High School. She is the youngest member of a court that includes three college students.

“I was in my first pageant at 4 so it’s been 12 years,” said Mansfield, who still has four more years to vie for the Fairest of the Fair crown. She works at Evelyn Taylor Avenue and enjoys playing piano.

When asked if she might enter the pageant again, Mansfield said, “Maybe, I’ll just have to wait and see.”

Cummins, 19, is a sophomore at MTSU majoring in criminal justice.

“I guess the old people did well,” said Cummins when asked about the three college students on the court. She won Miss Congeniality two years ago in the last fair pageant.

Pennington, 19, is a sophomore at Lipscomb who wants to become a nurse and specialize in neonatal care.

“Not being able to do it last year because they didn’t have a pageant is really why I wanted to enter this year,” said Pennington.

Parada is a Warren County High School senior who is a member of the Lady Pioneer soccer team. When not on a soccer field, she enjoys staying active and going on hikes.

“I wasn’t expecting this,” said Parada. “I guess other people must think I’m a very friendly girl.”

By virtue of her win, Ledbetter gets to represent Warren County in the state Fairest of the Fair competition, which is typically held in Nashville in January.

Rounding out the top 10 are Shelbey Hale, Marcie Pope, Grace Sparkman, Savannah Winfree, Addison Myers, and Reagan Miller.