Published: March 28, 2008 12:19 am            

Former Walker County Fair queen helping new generation

Stephanie Brock has brought both instruction and inspiration to this year’s festivities, along with a bright Texas smile.

Brock, who was the 1997 county fair queen, serves on the Queen’s Committee for the 2008 fair and she has taken on the responsibility of teaching the seven contestants seeking the title — and the 2007 queen — a dance routine they will perform during opening ceremonies Saturday, starting at 1 p.m. at the county fairgrounds.

“I just felt like I needed to, because if there aren’t people willing to fill those shoes, then there’s no one there to do it,” said Brock, who is a physical education teacher at New Waverly Elementary School.

Brock was crowned fair queen in 1997, but she initially competed for the title in 1995 and 1996 and came in third.

This provides her with a unique experience to share with the teenage girls as they prepare for the crowning following Saturday’s opening ceremonies.

“A lot of girls sometimes want to give up if they don’t win the first year or the second year,” Brock said. “So, what I tell them is, ‘You know, if you really want to do it, don’t give up. You have plenty of years to run.’”

Utilizing her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, and her background in cheerleading, Brock both choreographed and taught the contestants the 1950s-themed dance routine they will perform Saturday.

“I kept it real simple so that the girls could just have fun,” Brock said. “They are responsible for so much right now.”

Among other things, each queen contestant was required to design and deliver an 8- to 10-minute presentation on varying topics related to the fair when they were judged March 22.

Also, they were interviewed by a panel of judges and participate in the fair and the parade, as well as other activities throughout the week.

In addition, they were judged on their overall appearance and personality.

To help the girls shine, Brock taught them how to properly model their clothing and demonstrate poise while onstage.

Brock especially enjoys working with the queen contestants because she is familiar with most of them after serving as Huntsville High School’s Cheer Coach for four years.

“It’s just so fun,” Brock said. “I really enjoy working with the girls, getting to know them and help them, and then seeing them all interact and help each other out.”

Brock plans to continue in her role at New Waverly in hopes that her 3-year-old daughter Bethany might be exposed to the same kind of life she was.

“As I got older, I thought, ‘You know, Huntsville’s a good place to be,’” Brock said.

        

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