By LOU WHEELAND

Special to The Press

Four contestants — Olivia Wisser, 17, of New Tripoli, Cyani Gonzalez, 18, of Bethlehem, Atong Madok, 18, of Allentown, and Zoie Jones, 17, of Kutztown, vied for the titled of The Great Allentown Fair Queen on Aug. 28.

Each was judged on their academic skills, extracurricular activities and ties to farming.

They were tasked with presenting a speech explaining the importance of farming and the importance of The Great Allentown Fair and they were asked an impromptu question regarding the fair.

When the votes were tallied, taking home the queen’s crown for 2024, was Zoie Jones.

Zoie is the daughter of Heather Chapkovitch and Eric Jones of Kutztown.

A senior at Kutztown Area High School, she is involved in wildlife sciences through the FFA program at Kutztown.

She received first place for Wildlife CDEs and also on the Envirothon Team, which received first place and went on to the state competition and she received third place for public speaking.

Zoie is also the recipient of the Small Animal Manager Award, Greenhand Degree, Chapter Scholarship Award, Chapter Leadership Award, Chapter Degree and Creed Speaking Contest.

She is involved with the swim team, track and field, cross-country, volleyball, and fishing club.

She loves insects and has a beehive that she just started harvesting honey from. Upon graduation she plans on attending a four-year college majoring in wildlife biology.

2019 Great Allentown Fair Queen Ayla Blatt served as master of ceremonies for the contest.

Judges included Lehigh County Sheriff Joseph Hanna, Paula Davis of Gratz, a health care provider and queen coordinator for the Gratz Fair, Margarita Dewalt, 2011 The Great Allentown Fair Queen and owner of Margarita Dewalt Photography, Walnutport.

Following much consideration by the judges, Atong was awarded the William J. Albert Award and named first runner-up.

Both Olivia and Cyani were feted as Fair Ambassadors.

And, the Nancy Decker Melaney Community Service Award went to Cyani.