Following the Teen Fairest pageant, a collection of girls ranging in age from 10 to 12 took the stage at the Clifford McClain Grandstands to compete for the title of Pre-Teen Fairest of the Fair. 

Thirty-seven young ladies were vying for the title which was eventually awarded to Nia Monroe Rich, the 10-year-old daughter of Kirstin King and Brandon Rich and a student at Bobby Ray Elementary.

After a walk-through from each contestant, judges selected a top 20 made up of Karlee Grace Matheney, Isabella Caroline Watts, Lily Dianne Graves, Claire Susannah Breedlove, Allie Brooke Newby-Hillis, Rich, Ava Quinn Willett, Sutton Claire Pearsall, Charlotte Roo McGregor, Josie Quinn Hertwig, Avani Baylyn Fults,       Elliott Danielle Sinks, Malaya Janessa Taylor, Caroline Rose Tanner, Clara Avery Francis Martin, Kelby ReAnn Nunley, Karigan Elizabeth Patrick, Aubriella Rain McClendon, Amaieah Grace Morrison and Nikkie Lilly Young.

After another look from the judges, the field was halved, with a top 10 of Graves, Breedlove, Rich, Willett, McGregor, Hertwig, Taylor, Nunley, Patrick and McClendon advancing. The remaining 10 contestants took center stage once agian, answering questions drawn from a fish bowl. 

It was at this point Rich may have separated herself from the field in the eyes of the judges with her answer to the question, "Who is someone you look up to and how have they inspired you?"

Rich calmly and confidently replied, "Someone I look up to is my mother because she is a hard-working mother and she is still able to take care of other people." 

After the question-and-answer session, the judges still weren't ready to finalize their decision, asking the top 10 to return to the stage. Following another round of discussions, the judges were ready to announce the Pre-Teen Fairest court, giving third runner-up to Patrick, second runner-up to Hertwig, first runner-up to Breedlove and the Pre-Teen Fairest title to Rich.