FAIRBORN — Lila Malcolm and Matthew Haines of Fairborn were crowned the Fairborn Fourth of July Lil Miss and Lil Mr. Fairborn during the contest on July 3.
Connie Thompson is a Fourth of July Committee member who has been running the competition for local youth ages 6-9, alongside Ruth Strasser and Judy Bentley for the last eight years.
“What I always find interesting is you see these kids that come back every year and you see how much growth they’ve done in their ability to talk and present themselves — their confidence level grows,” Thompson said.
The competition took place during the annual Block Party July 3. The pageant focuses on the participants personality, confidence, poise, knowledge concerning the Fourth of July and ability to speak in full sentences in front of a crowd. Asked one-to-three questions relating to the Fourth of July, their school, family, talents and/or sports the youth have approximately 30-40 seconds of addressing the crowd.
Three local judges choose this year’s winners who received a plaque, sash and crown and will have the opportunity to ride in Fairborn’s Fourth of July parade on July 4.
