Antioch resident selected as 2010 fair queen

By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times

As a young girl, Meghan Wristen saw the Contra Costa County Fair queen strolling the fairgrounds during fair week and thought someday that would be her.

When Wristen turned 18 this year and became eligible for the contest, she took her chance and won.
"I'm so excited to get my chance to walk along the fairgrounds and be a role model for young girls," Wristen said. "I hope to encourage other girls to take the chance and do this."

Wristen isn't a stranger to taking on leadership roles. As a Deer Valley High School student, she has held the position of freshman class secretary, secretary of the entire student body in her sophomore year, student body vice-president her junior year, and senior class president this year.
She enjoys talking with others and making her school the best it can be. She also enjoys being part of the Deer Valley swimming and water polo teams.

When she is not at school, she works at her church, Golden Hills in Brentwood, where she is a youth small group leader with the church choir.

Wristen and her family have lived in Antioch her whole life, and she has enjoyed attending many Contra Costa County fairs as a spectator. Now in her new role as the 2010 fair queen, she will represent the county at the fair itself, which takes place June 3-6. She also will represent the county in parades, festivals and other public engagements throughout the year.

"I've already had my first official service by helping at a face-painting booth at Prewett Water Park earlier this month," Wristen said. "All the little girls liked getting their face painted by the queen."

As the winner of the fair queen contest, Wristen was awarded a small scholarship, which she plans to use next year as she attends Los Medonas College to begin getting her general education classes out of the way. She plans to attend San Diego Christian College in a couple of years to study education, with hopes to become a kindergarten teacher.

"I've wanted to become a kindergarten teacher my whole life," she said.

Wristen said she is honored to be the 2010 queen and represent Contra Costa County. "It is my passion to embrace every moment while fulfilling my duties with a smile and cheerful hello. I am looking forward to a year full of unforgettable memories and friends that will be made," she said.

The theme for the 2010 fair is "Old Fashion Fun," and this year will feature a separate concert with MC Hammer. "Hammertime" is 7 p.m. June 4. Tickets for the fair and special concert are available on the fair's Web site at www.contracostafair.com.