Miss Warren County Hannah Fisher Reflects on Miss Virginia Experience and Plans for the Year Ahead

Hannah Fisher, the reigning Miss Warren County Fair Queen, recently returned from an unforgettable weekend representing her community at the Miss Virginia Association of Fairs (VAF) pageant in Williamsburg.

In a recent interview in the Royal Examiner studio, Fisher shared her thoughts on the experience, what she’s learned, and what’s next during her reign. Competing for the first time at the state level, Fisher joined 30 other contestants for a weekend filled with interviews, rehearsals, and formal presentations.

“I went down Thursday night and came back Sunday afternoon,” Fisher said. “It was a very eventful weekend — interviews, fun fashion, evening gown — all of it.”

Though she didn’t take the crown, Fisher says she walked away with something just as valuable. “It’s my first fair title, and my first time competing at Miss VAF,” she said. “Being able to experience that while still so new to pageantry was really cool.”

Fisher, a 19-year-old nursing student at James Madison University, says she was proud to represent Warren County on the state stage. She described how just a year ago, she was watching others compete — and this year, it was finally her turn.

“I was talking to my mom about how last year I knew girls who were competing,” she said. “Then suddenly, it was me going to sleep and waking up the next day, heading down there. It was surreal.”

She also credits her rapid growth in pageantry to strong support from family and community members.

“My mom was my biggest support,” Fisher shared. “Every day she had a new outfit planned or a new idea — my dad joked she was more excited about it than I was!”

Pageantry isn’t the only area where Fisher excels. She’s an FFA alumna (Future Farmers of America) and recently received the organization’s American FFA Degree — the highest honor FFA offers. “You can still continue with your SAE [Supervised Agricultural Experience] even after high school,” she said. “I got my American FFA Degree in Indianapolis this past November.”

Although Fisher no longer shows animals, she still embraces her agricultural roots. “We call it our little barn,” she said of her family’s small farm. “You don’t have to grow up on a farm to be fair queen — just have a passion for the fair and your community.”

During her reign, Fisher has already appeared in the Front Royal Christmas Parade and plans to continue engaging with the public leading up to the 2024 Warren County Fair in late July.

She also hopes to bring special attention to her platform, “Stand for Service,” with a focus on honoring veterans during America’s upcoming 250th birthday celebration.

As a nursing major, Fisher said her experience speaking publicly and connecting with people across generations will serve her well in her future career. “I actually just applied to the nursing school,” she said. “I’m excited — it’s a skill you can take anywhere.”

Looking ahead, Fisher is considering another run at Miss VAF next year. Contestants can compete through age 22. “I’ve learned so much in such a short amount of time,” she said. “I definitely want to go back and see how much more I can improve.”

Fisher also praised her local directors, Savannah McNay and Johanna Pearson, for keeping her calm and prepared during the pageant. “They were by my side all weekend, helping me plan my outfits, keeping stress low — I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Even though she didn’t win the state crown, Fisher said the experience, the friendships, and the growth made it a rewarding journey.

“You learn a lot through these kinds of things,” she said. “It’s not just about looking the part — it’s about being able to speak, connect with people, and inspire the next generation. I’m proud to have done that for Warren County.”