ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) – Though the Rockingham County Fair is over a week away, one event this weekend will have friendly competition filling the Exhibit Hall.
The Rockingham County Fair Scholarship Pageant is more than just putting on a show, it’s also made an impact on those who have won. All of the queens from 2025’s competition plan to use the scholarship money they won for classes.
Junior Miss Rockingham County Fair 2025 Ryleigh Sheaves will use it for cosmetology schoolMiss Rockingham County Fair 2025 Mary Cyzick will use it to transfer to JMU this fallMrs. Rockingham County Fair 2025 Jessica Monger will use it for courses in medical billing to further her career
However, Ryleigh Sheaves said the impacts of winning were more than the money for education.
“It has helped me build my platform and decide that I want to keep doing pageants and come back,” Sheaves said.
Sheaves said she wants to come back to compete for the Miss title and “represent the best fair.” When Sheaves won the Junior Miss title, she said she cried with happiness.
“It truly just meant the world to me,” Sheaves said.
The queens will dance with other competitors for this year’s titles. Then, they will crown a new queen.
“It’s bittersweet also with having to give up the crown, but also my year’s done,” Monger said. ”I’m ready but not ready.”
For Monger, winning the crown was not just for herself, but for her daughter who died in 2023. Monger said her daughter was really into pageants.
“She always would say I wanted to be Melissa’s queen, a fair queen,” Monger said. “She never got to be a fair queen.”
Though there is only one winner for each category, Cyzick said had a piece of wisdom for those who don’t win.
“You’ll take home the memories and make the most of it,” Cyzick said.
The pageant’s director, Melissa Stum reflected on the girlhood and connection that is made throughout the year.
“Our 3 reigning queens have been amazing girls,” Stum said. “It will be a very emotional night, but we get through it.”
The pageant will give out four scholarships totaling over $3,500 and $1,050 in cash awards. Stum said there is amazing competition this year. You can see who earns the crown at 5 p.m. Saturday, August 1 at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds.
Copyright 2026 WHSV. All rights reserved.