Bailey Heller crowned 2026 Miss Adams County
Published 5:16 pm Thursday, July 30, 2026
QUINCY — Bailey Heller, 16, of Liberty was crowned the 2026 Miss Adams County during the Miss Adams County Fair Pageant on Wednesday, part of the 84th Adams County Fair.
Heller, the daughter of Jared and Laci Heller, will graduate from Liberty High School in May 2027. She plans to attend a four-year university to pursue a bachelor’s degree in secondary mathematics education, with the goal of becoming a high school math teacher. She currently works at Tri State Sno Biz, Revival Coffeehouse, and Eighth Avenue Villager, and was sponsored in the pageant by Farmers Insurance agent Gerad Curry.
Heller is the 61st Adams County Fair Queen crowned since the pageant began in 1965. She receives a $2,000 scholarship from the Adams County Fair Board, along with additional prizes from local sponsors, and will reign over the fair through Tuesday, Aug. 4. She was also voted Miss Congeniality by her fellow contestants.
Chloe Shaffer, 19, of Mendon was named first runner-up. The daughter of Curtis and Shannon Shaffer, she graduated from Unity High School in 2025 and is now a double major in business administration and marketing at Culver-Stockton College, with plans to pursue entrepreneurship. She works at The Daily Grind and was sponsored by Renegade Repair. Shaffer also received the Don Russell Memorial Award for best interview.
Sierra Miller, 20, of Quincy was named second runner-up. The daughter of Toby and Amanda Miller, she graduated from Quincy Senior High School in 2024 and is double majoring in music education and music therapy at Western Illinois University, with plans to teach elementary general music. She works at WIU, the Quincy Park District, and Sheridan Swim Club, and was sponsored by Liberty Bank and Cole and Jake Liesen with CAJIN Farms.
Other pageant honors included the Non-Finalist Swimsuit Award, won by Lily Baker, 18, of Quincy, daughter of Bobby and Kelly Baker; the Non-Finalist Evening Gown Award, won by Brinley Hackamack, 16, of Fowler, daughter of Adam and Melissa Hackamack; and the Top Speech Award, sponsored by the Gem City Toastmasters and won by Cloe Owens, 19, of Liberty, daughter of Bill and Theresa Owens.
Additional contestants included Claire Norsworthy of Mendon, Audrey McKinney of Liberty, and Rebekkah Waterkotte of Coatsburg. All contestants received scholarship money for their participation.
The outgoing Miss Adams County, Andrea Schaffnit, 20, of Mendon, is the daughter of Kevin and Nicole Schaffnit. Schaffnit attends Southern Illinois University Carbondale, studying health care management, and plans to pursue a master’s degree in hospital administration.
The Adams County Fair continues through Tuesday, Aug. 4.
