2025 Saline County Senior Queen Ashtyn Johnson (left) and Junior Queen Bailey Yokely (right), both of Sweet Springs (photos courtesy of the Saline County Fair Board)
Two Sweet Springs students claimed top honors Saturday, June 7 in the 2025 Saline County Queen Contest.
Ashtyn Johnson received the nod for Senior Queen among a field of three contestants. Johnson is a member of the Liberty 4-H Club and will be a senior at Sweet Springs High School this fall. In addition to her officer roles with the Sweet Springs FFA Chapter, Johnson competed on the chapter’s livestock judging team, and has also played for the Greyhounds’ volleyball, softball, basketball and track teams. The 16-year old daughter of Marc and Kristy Johnson was previously named a Saline County Junior Queen.
A crowded field of nine contestants for Junior Queen saw Bailey Yokely claim the tiara. Yokely is a member of the Sweet Springs FFA chapter and helps her family out on the farm with the cows and fixing fences. She’s also active with the Sweet Springs cheerleading squad, placing seventh in state, and also competes on the volleyball team. The incoming junior is also active in FCA, FBLA, and student council. Yokely is the 15-year-old daughter of Jon and Amber Yokely.
A total of 46 girls competed in this year’s contest in seven age groups. The contest took place Saturday night on the Saline County Courthouse lawn as part of the 68th annual Saline County Barbecue, benefiting the Saline County Fair and area 4-H and FFA organizations. This year’s winners include:
Senior Queen
1st Place: Ashtyn Johnson
2nd Place: Andrea Gooden
3rd Place: Karlea Bolser
Junior Queen
1st Place: Bailey Yokely
2nd Place: Charlot Thornton
3rd Place: Aleigha Thomas
Princess
1st Place: Kylie King
2nd Place: Natlie Van Hook
3rd Place: Braelyn Johnson
Royal
1st Place: Creedence O’Bryan
2nd Place: Anastasia Ziegler
3rd Place: Ellah Meyer
Fairy
o 1st Place: Aaley Wilson
o 2nd Place: Jaiden King
o 3rd Place: Renleigh McCorkle
Sugar Plum
1st Place: Ettah Meyer
2nd Place: Haven Jenkins
3rd Place: Ali Campbell
Pixie
1st Place: Addyson Taylor Rader
2nd Place: Avery Chamberlin
3rd Place: Adaline Dowden