Four outstanding candidates will be competing this summer for the title of 2025 Tama County Fair Queen including (clockwise from top left) Lauren Keller, Rhianna Murty, Rylee Ridout, and Belle Werner. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

GLADBROOK – The 2025 Tama County Fair Queen candidates were recently announced and this year include four outstanding candidates: Benton Community rising senior Belle Werner of Toledo; Class of 2025 homeschool graduate Lauren Keller of Gladbrook; South Tama rising senior Rylee Ridout of rural Vining; and GMG rising senior Rhianna Murty of Gladbrook.

Crowning of the 2025 Tama County Fair Queen and Princess is set for Tuesday, July 15, during the Opening Ceremony which begins at 7 p.m. at the Tama County Fairgrounds in Gladbrook.

Candidate biographies are printed below. Best of luck to all the candidates!

Lauren Keller

Lauren Keller, 18, is the daughter of Ryan and Melissa Keller of Gladbrook, and is a recent homeschool graduate.

Lauren Keller.

While in high school, Lauren’s activities included 4-H, softball, camera-corp, choir, vocal solos, speech competitions, and WHEP (Wildlife Habitat Educational Program). She was also named a Borlaug Scholar during Iowa/Global Youth Institute World Food Prize Events.

In her community, Lauren serves as president of the Tama County Young Guns 4-H Club. She was selected to attend National 4-H Conference in Washington D.C. as an Iowa delegate and enjoyed advocating for rural agriculture in Iowa. She is a current Iowa and National 4-H SESS Ambassador (Safety and Education in Shooting Sports), and competed nationally in air rifle, smallbore rifle, and muzzleloader. She has served as a Tama County Pork Ambassador and is the current Tama County Pork Queen.

Volunteering and giving back to her community is a of high importance to Lauren as she has logged hundred of volunteer hours reading to preschoolers, singing at nursing homes, sering as a horse handler for Equine Therapy and youth programs, and fundraising (through donations raised by baking pies, cinnamon rolls, etc) for non-profits that help families in need and help youth overcome trauma. Lauren is an active member of her church, enjoys singing, teaching in children’s programs, and serving on the hospitality committee.

Lauren plans to attend DMACC in the fall and double major in business administration/culinary arts. Lauren’s goal is to open her own bakery/farm to table restaurant and continue to raise livestock on her family’s farm.

Rhianna Murty

Rhianna Murty.

Rhianna Murty, 18, is the daughter of Erin and Steve Murty of Gladbrook and a rising senior at GMG High School.

While in High School Rhianna has been active in volleyball, track, golf, softball, FFA, and band. She served as the co-captain of her basketball team her junior year. She’s been very active in FFA serving as an officer for the last two years and currently is serving as president as she enters her senior year.

In her community she has held several offices in the Wolfcreek Whirlwinds 4-H Club over the past seven years. She is also an active member of the Mid Iowa Youth Beef Team and served as sentinel this past school year with intent to run for president for the upcoming year. Rhianna enjoys helping young people and helped coach the Junior High AAU volleyball team this past winter.

In her spare time, Rhianna helps her dad on the farm and spends time with her family. Rhianna’s future plans are to finish high school, after which she is looking forward to attending Iowa State University to possibly major in animal science.

Rylee Ridout

Rylee Ridout.

Rylee Ridout, 17, is the daughter of Ryan and Laura Ridout of rural Vining. Rylee is a rising senior at South Tama County High School. Throughout high school, Rylee has been involved in many activities that include volleyball, basketball, track and field, softball, FFA, 4-H, yearbook, iJAG, FCA, AAU volleyball and AAU basketball. In her spare time, she works part time at the Dysart Drive-in and loves riding horses and fishing. Rylee’s future plans are to attend a community college to become a vet assistant or major in equine science.

Belle Werner

Belle Werner, 17, is the daughter of Eric and Michelle Werner of Toledo and is a rising senior at Benton Community High School.

While in high school, Belle’s activities include football cheer, track and field, FFA, 4-H, show choir, and concert choir. Belle served as the vice president and is the current president of her FFA chapter as well as the South West Sub District Vice President. In her community, Belle was vice president and president during her seven year membership with the Toledo Techs 4-H Club. She is also part of Benton’s qualifying shuttle hurdle relay team for girls state track and field.

In her spare time, Belle works at Murph’s Creamery and Grill in Toledo, as well as runs three seasonal businesses throughout the school year. Belle’s future plans include attending Iowa State University where she plans to major in Ag Business and Marketing.

Belle Werner.