News : Benton County Fair Queen Candidate: Kaitlyn Ballard

My name is Kaitlyn Ballard my parents are Martin and Missy Ballard.  I have three brothers, Kohl, Drew, and Bryce. I have lived outside of Marengo for my whole life on an acreage. On our acreage, we raise rabbits, chickens, ducks, and cattle.

I attend Benton Community and I will graduate next year. I am not sure what I want to do after graduation yet. I just know that I want to do something with agriculture, possibly working as a veterinarian or an agricultural biological engineer. 

I have been involved in 4H for 8 years. I have been a member of the Benton Community FFA Chapter for 3 years. I have also been a varsity cheerleader for 3 years. This year I was inducted into the Benton Community NHS Chapter. I have received many awards. I have lettered in academics and cheerleading. I have also received many honors through FFA. I have earned my Greenhand, Chapter, and Iowa Degrees. I have received multiple chapter proficiency awards as well as scholarships and leadership awards. Some other honors I have received are the Outstanding Record Book Award, 5th place for points, 4th place for fruit sales, and am a member of the Benton FFA Hall of Fame last year.

I had a seven-month-long battle with Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis which took away all my basic abilities like eating, talking, and walking.  I had a very long and difficult recovery process, but I fought hard and came out the other side.  I am now able to lead a normal life again. I missed 1 whole semester of school and school activities, so I have not been to accomplish a lot of things that I wanted to.

Despite this, I have overcome many challenges to get where I am today, and I am so proud of all the progress I have made. 

I would be honored to be your 2022 Benton County Fair Queen.