PHOTOS BY BRENNA WHITE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
2025 PAGEANT … The Bryan City Queens and their runner-ups; (left to right) Allyson Davis, Kenlee Vansteenkiste, Calyin Brenneman, Mabel Rice, Sally Elzey, Kinlee Yoder, Ariana Shartzer, and Zoey Gillett.
PARTICIPANTS … The participants of this year’s Fountain City Pageant and their five judges
By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The 2025 Fountain City Pageant took place on Saturday, May 17th, at the Quality Inn & Suburban Studios located in Montpelier, Ohio. Doors welcomed guests at 4:30 p.m., with the pageant commencing promptly at 5:00 p.m.
This annual event celebrates poise, talent, and community spirit from the young women from the region, providing them an opportunity to shine on stage and engage with their local audience.
The pageant offered a wide variety of options for the ladies to excel. This ranged from a summer wear competition, a community concentration, and even a talent show.
The Fountain City Pageant is more than just a beauty contest; it’s a platform that empowers young women, fosters personal growth, and encourages community involvement.
Starring as the only participant in the Little Miss category, Mabel Rice, kindergartener, swept the board with the awards; highest interview score, most photogenic, congeniality award, and finally crowded with the Little Miss award.
In the Junior Miss potion, contestants consisted of Sally Elzey (4th grade), Liberty Butler (3rd grade), Josalynn Lovejoy (3rd grade), and Arianah Shartzer (4th grade). Ariana Shartzer won all three specialty awards.
Named first runner up, and who shall fill in if the crowned winner is unable to fulfill her duties, was Sally Elzey. Ariana Shartzer took home the crown and was named Junior Miss Fountain City.
Next was the Teen Miss awards. Participating were Kenlee Vansteenkiste (7th grade), Kinlee Yoder (6th grade), and Sabrin Daughtery-Herrick (6th grade).
The highest interview award went to Kenlee Vansteenkiste, with Kinlee Yoder awarded most photogenic and the congeniality award. Kinlee Yoder went on to be crowned Teen Miss Fountain City, with the first runner-up being Kenlee Vansteekiste.
The Miss Fountain City contenders consisted of only two young ladies this year; Caylin Brenneman (10th grade) and Allyson Davis (11th grade).
Both girls participated in the talent portion of the event, with Caylin demonstrating her painting techniques and Allyson shocking the audience with an erupting volcano explosion.
Winning all three awards was Caylin Brenneman, with Allyson being awarded first runner-up. Caylin was crowned the official Miss Fountain City of 2025.
Joining the ladies were the 2024 Fountain City Queens; Miss Bryan Zoey Gillett, Teen Miss Bryan Addison Witte, Junior Miss Bryan Keira Gomez-Carill, and Little Miss Bryan Kimber Dava Hillman. Ultimate Miss Bryan 2024, Kenlee Vansteenkiste, was also in attendance and once again participating in this year’s pageant.
Ultimate Miss Bryan was crowned based off of these young girls and their volunteer work they have been focusing on throughout the year.
Being named a Fountain City Queen isn’t easy work – lots of hard work and dedication come before and afterwards! Zoey Gillett was awarded the title of Ultimate Miss Bryan 2025.
Each of the winning girls received a “Miss Bryan” scholarship, the younger queens securing a $100 scholarship a piece, while Miss Bryan, or Miss Fountain City, received a $500 scholarship to the school of her choice!
This year’s event was a memorable evening, showcasing the talents and aspirations of the contestants.
Community members are encouraged to attend and support these young women as they vie for the coveted title of Fountain City Queen.
This means more than just being a beauty queen – but a queen of her community! Through supporting and volunteering at local projects, these young girls help shape the future of what it means to be a Bryan City Queen.