Chesnee Miller of Akron, center, won the 2024 Miss Fulton County pageant on Saturday, July 6, at Rochester High School. She was also named Miss Congeniality. Her court included first runner-up Alexa Finke, left, and second runner-up Darah Strasser.

Text and Photos
By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

ROCHESTER — Chesnee Miller isn’t the only one in her family to be pageant royalty.

Her mother, Kim Miller, won the Miss Fulton County queen pageant back in 1999.

Chesnee, of Akron, beat out six other girls for the 2024 Miss Fulton County title on Saturday night, July 6, at the Rochester High School auditorium.

“It’s the greatest honor that I’ve ever received,” she said after getting the crown.

Chesnee, 18, wasn’t the only one from her family who won a title Saturday night either. Her younger sister, Chaney Miller, won the Teen Miss Fulton County pageant held at the same time.

Chesnee, also the daughter of Blake Miller and a recent Tippecanoe Valley High School graduate, won the title after being the  first runner-up for both the 2023 Miss Fulton County and Miss Akron 4th of July pageants.

She earned the respect of her peers Saturday by also being named Miss Congeniality.

To earn the Miss Fulton County title, Chesnee answered several onstage questions, gave a prepared speech, did an off-stage interview with the judges and modeled several outfits.

For one of her onstage questions, Chesnee was asked: “What is a childhood experience you wish every kid could have?”

“The childhood experience that I wish every kid had is having an older brother. My older brother is my role model and my biggest fan and I appreciate him each and every day,” she said.

Chesnee also talked about the fair midway as the answer to a less serious question.

Her third question was: “Why do you want to be Miss Fulton County 2024?”

“I would love to be Miss Fulton County 2024 due to all the skills I have obtained being a 10-year 4-H member. I would love to take these skills and apply them to being Miss Fulton County and making my county even better,” said Chesnee.

Her speech was on supporting women’s sports.

She referenced that current Indiana Fever player Caitlin Clark “has inspired and encouraged women all over the world in the act of putting women’s sports on the map.”

“This became specifically important to me due to the involvement that I had with sports throughout high school as well as a continuation of sports through college. Growing up, the stigma against women’s sports was very evident as in the sense of them never being as important or popular as men’s sports, but like I mentioned women’s sports are on the rise,” she said.

“This past March, the skyrocketing views regarding the women’s March Madness versus the men’s March Madness were very evident,” continued Chesnee. “I hope women’s sports continue to grow and develop in the best way in hopes of showing girls or even boys all over the world the importance of leadership, character and love for the game.”

For her evening wear, Chesnee wore a fitted iridescent gown, earning the best evening gown award. Her professional wear included a black and white houndstooth patterned ensemble with a peplum top.

For her initial outfit to showcase her personality and interests, she wore a Manchester University T-shirt, jeans, running shoes and her National Honor Society medal and carried her large water bottle.

Chesnee plans to study health sciences at Manchester University, where she will run cross-country and track.

Her court included first runner-up Alexa Finke. The 17-year-old daughter of Matthew and Renell Finke also won the Top Sponsor award and the best interview award.

Second runner-up was 18-year-old Darah Strasser, the daughter of Andy and Laneia Strasser. She also won the best prepared speech award.

Other contestants included the People’s Choice winner Macee Hinderlider, best professional wear winner Madison Heinzmann, Emma Bays and Abbigayle Darling.

Chaney Miller also got the best interview award for the teen pageant.

Her court included first runner-up Ellie Straeter, who got the People’s Choice award and best evening wear award; and second runner-up Avarie Montel, who won the best professional wear award.

As there were a large number of contestants, Sophia Baker and Jayden Yarian were named to an Honor Court. KayLea McCarty won the Top Sponsor award.

The winner of the Junior Miss Fulton County pageant earlier on Saturday was Ellison Burton. Her court included first runner-up Ella Roe and second runner-up Bailey Koebcke.

Roe also won the Top Sponsor award, with Samantha Jacobs getting the People’s Choice award.

Blakelee Herrold won the Little Miss Fulton County contest, with Maelee Jones the first runner-up, and Aleyna Ranstead the second runner-up.

Honor Court members were Sawyer Jones, Brynlee Baker, Blakely Hass and Kinsley Barcus.

Brooklyn Ridenour won the Top Sponsor award, and Ali Utter won the People’s Choice award.