Northfield Grad Named Miss Indiana

This year the young woman wearing the Miss Indiana crown at the Indiana State Fair is MSDWC's own Alyssa McKillip. Alyssa is a 2020 graduate of Northfield High School and we are incredibly proud of her accomplishment. After being named Miss Wabash County in 2020, Alyssa competed against over 100 county winners to earn the title of Indiana State Fair Queen. We caught up with Alyssa this week to learn more about her experience. 

How did it feel to be announced as the Indiana State Fair Queen?

When I made Top 16, I was already beyond excited and so incredibly honored. When competing with over 100 contestants, there was not a single young woman who was less than outstanding. I felt calm and confident the entire day. Then, hearing my name called as Miss Indiana State Fair was such a surreal moment. I was instantly overwhelmed with emotions. I remember meeting Miss Indiana State Fair in 2013, and from that point, it was always my dream to one day reign over the Indiana State Fair. It meant so much to me to see my family excited and to be congratulated by fellow contestants that I had bonded with that day. I knew it was the beginning of an exciting adventure!

What has been included in your role as State Fair Queen?

This summer, I traveled to 43 counties in the state of Indiana and documented over 8,000 miles. I attended interviews and stage presence workshops to help county queen contestants prepare for their contests, pageants to watch the county contestants compete, and several county fairs. At every visit, I promoted the Indiana State Fair and its various entertainment attractions, foods, and exhibits being featured this year. Currently, I am reigning over the Indiana State Fair. I have enjoyed judging the USA Mullet Championships, trying the Taste of the Fair foods, spending time with family and past Indiana State Fair Queens, interacting with fair visitors, completing media interviews, and spending time at a fair that I have made so many memories at over the years.

Are there any experiences you had during high school that you feel helped prepare you for earning the State Fair Queen title?

In 2020, I found inspiration to start my own organization, Fill the Wagon, to raise money for pediatric cancer research at Riley Hospital for Children. In all, the fundraiser brought in over $10,000 in fundraising in one year’s time, and this was especially meaningful given my passion to become a pediatric oncologist. I felt that this experience helped me to network and become more engaged in my community, and it also taught me that no goal was unattainable. Also, in 2020, I was honored to be named as Miss Wabash County 4-H Fair. I had the wonderful opportunity to be the ambassador for my local county fair, and I met many new people while I made many new experiences. Having the honor of representing as Miss Wabash County opened the door for me to compete at the Miss Indiana State Fair Pageant. Becoming Miss Indiana State Fair has always been a dream of mine.

What has life been like for you after high school?

I attend Butler University, and in the fall, I will return as a junior-level undergraduate student to continue pursuing my major in Psychology while completing minors in Biology, Chemistry, and Neuroscience. I am concentrating on the Pre-Medicine track. At Butler, I found great passions in Butler University Dance Marathon, Panhellenic Association, being a Biology student mentor for undergraduate students, and being a member of the Alpha Phi Fraternity. Following graduation, I plan to attend medical school to pursue my dream career as a pediatric oncologist.