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Queen Kristen of Vernon Hills begins her reign
Kristen One just after being crowned the new Miss Lake County Fair Queen 2012. | Michael Schmidt~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: September 3, 2012 6:17AM
GRAYSLAKE — The newly crowned Miss Lake County Fair Queen is looking forward to funnel cake, the banana derby where monkey jockeys race atop dogs and hosting the county fair.
Kristen One, 20, of Vernon Hills beat 12 other contenders for the crown at the July 25 pageant.
“I actually did Miss Vernon Hills (2010 pageant) and just loved being a role model for everybody there. I got involved in this pageant (because) I knew a couple of the girls and I thought I would give it a try,” One (pronounced Oh-nay) said.
The county fair queen pageant was No. 2 for One — and she won the crown at both. She said it was important to stay relaxed and be genuine.
Part of the queen competition includes making a speech about yourself. One, of Vernon Hills, spoke about helping people in need.
“I personally support a girl in Kenya who is need. It’s close to my heart,” One said.
She first saw information about the need to support children in Africa at her church at age 7.
“I thought I could have a friend in Africa. Ever since then, we’ve been pen pals,” One said.
She continues to sponsor Tulel, now 16.
Fraternal triplets
One is a junior at the University of Iowa double-majoring in chemistry and physics. She hopes to teach high school after graduation.
She is part of a set of fraternal triplets. Her brother Justin is also at the University of Iowa and her sister Jennifer is at Yale. One said she is close with her siblings.
She is the vice president of her sorority, executive director of a tutoring program in Iowa and participates in intramural sports. She was a competitive gymnast for 10 years.
In her spare time, One said she does crafts and photography.
She said she loves going to the Lake County Fair and looking at the different attractions. “I know there a lot of new attractions ... This year we have the Ag Expo. Lake County used to have a lot of farms, so I think that will be ... cool to connect to Lake County’s old roots,” One said.
