Congratulations to 2026 Miss Clinton County Fair Queen Carissa Litteken of Aviston. Litteken was pictured Saturday being crowned by retiring fair queen Amanda Brink and 2026 Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Krista Phillips.Carissa Litteken of Aviston was crowned 2026 Miss Clinton County Fair Queen this past Saturday, July 18.
The pageant was filled with entertainment, excitement and emotion as the 11 contestants vied for the crown.
Held at Kaskaskia College Auditorium in Centralia, the event began with the introduction from the Mistress of Ceremonies Candace Schomaker (2022 Miss Clinton County Fair Queen).
Following that, retiring Miss Clinton County Fair Queen Amanda Brink and the contestants — Drew Drummond of Keyesport, April Wilken of Germantown, Carissa Litteken of Aviston, Daisy Brammeier of Carlyle, Isabelle Gilomen of Damiansville, Makenna Reckling of Carlyle, Jacie Persing of Carlyle, Karleigh Twitchell of Carlyle, Samantha Heinzmann of Carlyle, Makenna Budde of Damiansville and Kylie Detmer of Aviston — performed a dance routine inspired by songs as part of the pageant theme, “An American Summer.”
The contestants took part in a series of competitions in pursuit of the 2026 Miss Clinton County Fair.
The categories of competition included beauty and physique in swimwear, formal speaking and evening gown. The judges hosted the interview portion of the competition prior to the pageant.
After a great deal of anticipation, the judges announced Litteken as 2026 Miss Clinton County Fair Queen.
Overwhelmed with emotion, the new queen embraced her fellow contestants and graciously accepted the crown from Brink and 2026 Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Krista Phillips of Effingham.
Eleven lovely ladies competed for the title of fair queen during the annual pageant held Saturday afternoon at Kaskaskia College Auditorium. Chosen as first runner-up was Makenna Budde of Damiansville. Karleigh Twitchell of Carlyle was chosen as second runner-up. Budde was also named “Miss Congeniality.”Carissa is the daughter of Mark and Jenny Litteken of Aviston. She is a 2023 graduate of Mater Dei Catholic High School and a 2026 graduate of Kaskaskia College, with a degree in nursing. She plans to continue her education with a four-year degree and pursue a career as an ER nurse while also serving in the local ambulance service.
In her free time, Litteken enjoys being outside in the barn with her animals.
When she has time to relax, she enjoys coloring and spending time with her family and friends.
Her 11 years of dedication to 4-H has led her to become an active member of the Young Leaders Farm Bureau, where she is proud to represent Clinton County. In high school, she was proud to achieve perfect attendance, was honored to be chosen prom queen, and was elected as the first FFA president at Mater Dei Catholic High School.
Litteken’s platform is agricultural safety, which is a “case close to her heart and the community” after losing a fair board member in a farming accident last year. She serves in her community through leadership with the Young Leaders Farm Bureau as well as a Eucharistic minister at her church.
Litteken said she is inspired most by her dad, as he never fails to make time for their family and involves himself heavily in the community to make sure Clinton County stays the great place we all know and love.
The new queen is sponsored by Greenville Livestock, Litteken Electric of Breese and Pawadise+ in Breese.
During her one-minute speech, Litteken centered around the color blue, signifying three important key roles in her life — blue scrubs, blue jeans and blue skies.
“Blue is the color of big skies, big dreams and even bigger possibilities,” she said, adding that blue is the color that follows her through every part of her life.
“Nurses are typically recognized by their blue scrubs,” she said. “Those scrubs represent kindness, compassion and those who wake up everyday to make a difference.”
Blue also is the shade of her best loved denim.
“Whether you are working all day on the farm, going to help the neighbor or showing pigs at the county fair, blue jeans are comfortable, dependable and have always achieved blue ribbon status,” she said.
In addition, as a proud daughter of a first generation farmer, Litteken said blue is the color of the skies above every field and every dream planted along the way.
First runner-up and “Miss Congeniality” Makenna Budde of Damiansville (left) is pictured with 2025 Miss Clinton County Amanda Brink (middle) and 2026 Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Krista Phillips.Each contestant also was given an impromptu question about the legacy of the new 618 Event Center building, or what do they hope to be remembered by.
Litteken said she wanted to be remembered for being kind and being determined to put her mind to anything.
As the new queen, Litteken received many gifts from local businesses and organizations, including an engraved glass vase, sash, scepter, floral bouquet, a $2,000 educational scholarship, state pageant sponsorship, and $1,000 state style scholarship from the Clinton County Fair Association; a crown from Miss Clinton County Fair 1986 Lori Kuhl Jansen; photo sessions and photos for the state pageant from Traditions Portrait Design in Carlyle; state pageant hair and makeup from Miss Clinton County Fair 1990 Sharilyn Criley Muench; a scholarship from Kaskaskia College in Centralia; and much more.
In addition to the crowning of the 2026 Miss Clinton County Fair, Makenna Budde of Damiansville was announced as first runner-up and Karleigh Twitchell of Carlyle was named as second runner-up. Budde was also voted for the title of “Miss Congeniality.”
Prior to 2025 Miss Clinton County Fair Amanda Brink taking her last walk on stage, she gave her farewell address to the crowd, thanking the Fair Board, Clinton County and everyone for their help.
She said the first time she stepped on the stage to try for the Miss Clinton County Fair (in 2023), she was a shy, nervous and “very blonde” 17-year-old girl who had no idea what this program had waiting for her.
2026 Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Krista Phillips (left) and 2025 Miss Clinton County Fair Queen Amanda Brink (right) are pictured with second runner-up Karleigh Twitchell of Carlyle.
“Being crowned Miss Clinton Fair was a dream I carried in my heart for so long,” Brink said.
After her second year of trying for Miss Clinton County Fair, Brink said she was filled with doubt and questioned if this was truly the path for her. She prayed the following months for clarity, direction and peace. After attending the state fair pageant, Brink said she continued going back and forth about going for one more try for Miss Clinton County.
“It was in those quiet, uncertain moments that I was reminded of this verse, Psalm 138:8, ‘The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me,’ and that verse became the anchor for this journey,” she said.
When she was called as the 2025 Miss Clinton County Fair Queen last year, everyone in the room understood what it meant to her; that it wasn’t just a crown or a sash, but it was confirmation, the goodness of God’s plan made visible, every prayer answered and every doubt silenced.
She said over the last 364 days, she had the privilege of attending so many events across the community — each one a reminder of why this title matters and why the people of Clinton County are unlike any others.
“I have waved in parades down busy streets, cheered on livestock shows at the fairgrounds, visited school events and local gatherings, and at every single one of those places, I was reminded that a county fair queen is so much more than a crown and a sash — she is a servant, she is a representative, she is a neighbor,” Brink said.
She said the highlight was leading the 11 contestants this past week, including the magic of showing them how wonderful the community is.
A group photo of the Miss Clinton County contestants — Drew Drummond of Keyesport; April Wilken of Germantown; Carissa Litteken of Aviston; Daisy Brammeier of Carlyle; Isabelle Gilomen of Damiansville; Makenna Reckling of Carlyle; 2025 Miss Clinton County Fair Amanda Brink; contestants Jacie Persing of Carlyle; Karleigh Twitchell of Carlyle; Samantha Heinzmann of Carlyle; Makenna Budde of Damiansville; and Kylie Detmer of Aviston.Brink also thanked the visiting queens and past queens for their help, the 11 contestants vying for Miss Clinton County, the Clinton County Fair Board, the directors, and her family and friends, adding that she was truly blessed, and eternally grateful for the opportunity.
She also thanked the program for seeing something in her (in the beginning) as a 17-year-old girl that she had not seen in herself yet.
She said to the next person who wears the crown, know that it carries weight.
“Wear it with grace, lead with your whole heart and trust the plan, even when it’s not clear. The Lord will fulfill His purpose for you too. Remember your why and never let anyone dull your sparkle,” she said. “So for every moment, take the picture, drink the lemon shake-up, put those heels on and enjoy the ride. Because before you know it, it will all be just a memory.”
Brink thanked Clinton County, and hopes that she made the county proud this past year for her run as queen.
A group photo of the Little Miss Clinton County participants! In addition to the crowning of Miss Clinton County Fair Queen, there also were 21 Little Miss participants who were given a sash and scepter, and crowned by Queen Amanda Brink.
The Little Misses were Layla Albers of Trenton; Maya Baro of Aviston; Khaliah Bryant of Carlyle; Sicily Draege of Carlyle; Clare Faust of Aviston; Layla Gebke of Carlyle; Ella Gilbreth of Bartelso; Haiven Gill of Breese; Aubree Huegen of Albers; Briley Kannall of Aviston; Paisley King of Carlyle; Kinley Malcomb of Beckemeyer; Eliza Pollmann of Aviston; Scarlett Schaubert of Shattuc; Blake Schwierjohn of Aviston; Ivy Seelhoeffer of Bartelso; Jaxsun Smith of Carlyle; Rosie Spicer of Breese; Paislee Snyder of Carlyle; Josie Varel of Bartelso; and Hardin Winkeler of Bartelso.
This year’s pageant wasn’t just about high heels and hairspray. The queen contestants and Little Miss participants learned about the importance of fitness and becoming service leaders. They hosted a Who’s the Fairest 5K Run/Walk on July 11 to kick off the 2026 Clinton County Fair and raised money for the pageant program. Each contestant and Little Miss were challenged to assemble a team of walkers/runners to help achieve the goal.
The Little Miss participants with the largest race team was Kinley Malcomb. She was named the “Little Miss Fairest 5K Princess” and received a gift. Kinley also gets to choose a parade to ride in with the newly crowned fair queen.
Litteken, Brink, and the entire Fair Board would like to thank everyone who supported the 2026 Miss (and Little Miss) Clinton County Fair.
