Royalton native wins state fair crown

Addisyn Calloni, the 2021 Miss Perry County and a native of Royalton, was named Miss Illinois County Fair 2022 on Sunday, beating out a statewide group of candidates for the honor.

The Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs held its 111th annual convention at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield Jan. 14 to 16.

Calloni, 19, became the 61st Miss Illinois County Fair Queen.

She is currently a biological sciences major at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and hopes to enter a physician assistant program.

Calloni will be a summer employee of the Illinois Department of Agriculture, traveling to about 30 county fairs and being the official hostess of the Illinois State Fair in Springfield and the Du Quoin State Fair.

As queen, Calloni's main duty is to emphasize the importance of agriculture and county fairs to Illinois.

Grace Markovitz of McHenry County was named the first runner up.

Kaylee Phillips of Effingham County is second runner-up, Rachel Williams of Warren County is third runner-up, and Katie Noyd of Henry County is fourth runner- up.

"I'm excited to learn more about agriculture," Calloni said. "There are no farmers in my family, but we're surrounded by cornfields."

Calloni had to pinch herself when her name was announced as the winner.

"I feel great, but I know anyone up there would have been deserving," she said.

"This has been such a great experience, even if I wouldn't have won."

Calloni is a barista at Penny's Perks on Route 51 in Dowell.

She enjoys golfing, baking and spending time with family and friends. She plays the ukulele and the electric guitar for her church.

Another southern Illinois contestant, Laney Renth of Washington County, was the People's Choice Award Winner.