FAIREST OF THE FAIR ALUMNI
If you or someone you know once served as Columbia County’s Fairest of the Fair, Please reach out to us , we’d love to add you to this page. For more information please click here.
Corrina Larson ~ 2025
I graduated from Columbus High School in 2021, where I was active in Columbus FFA and the Astico Perseverance 4-H Club. I then earned a bachelor's degree in Marketing from the University of Wisconsin–Platteville, where I participated in Campus Programming and Activities, the Association of American Marketers, and the Platteville Women's Rugby Club.
I currently work as a Senior Event Specialist at Steak Shop Catering in Winona, Minnesota, coordinating weddings, corporate events, and community celebrations. I am especially grateful to my parents, Josh and Charlene Larson, for their unwavering support throughout my time as the 2025 Columbia County Fairest.
ISABELLE MCREATH ~ 2024
Isabelle served as the 2020 Junior Fairest of the Fair and later went on to become the 2024 Columbia County Fairest of the Fair.
She attended the University of Platteville, majoring in Agricultural Education.
Isabelle’s involvement: Portage FFA Alumni leadership team, Columbia County Fair Board, superintendent of the Clover Bud and Exploring Departments for the Columbia County Fair Board.
She is the daughter of Troy & Brandie McReath of Portage Wisconsin.
MARIN STAFFACHER~2023
Marin served as the Fairest of the Fair for the year of 2023. She is a 2020 graduate of Beaver Dam High School and majored in Occupational Therapy at Madison College. She is the daughter of Rodney & Jaclyn Stauffacher of rural Columbus.
MAYA SCHROEDER~2022
Maya served as our Fairest of the Fair for the year of 2022. Maya graduated from Portage High School in 2022. She is the daughter of Joan McConochie and Tom Staveness.
Emily McReath~2019
Emily served as the Fairest in 2019. She graduated from Portage High School in 2019. Upon graduating high school she enlisted in the Army National Guard. Emily’s younger sister is the 2024 Columbia County Fairest of the Fair. Emily is currently working in an emergency department as an EMT. She is the daughter of Troy & Brandie McReath of Portage.
SARAH DAENTL~2018
Sarah served as Fairest in 2018. Sarah graduated from Portage High School in 2016 and went on to earn her Bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin- La Crosse. Sarah recently earned her Master's degree from Mount Mary University in Art Therapy and Mental Health Counseling. Sarah works in the Madison area as an Art Therapist. Sarah's parents are Bill and Cathy Daentl of Portage, WI.
Stephanie Hagedorn ~ 2008
After earning her Associate Degree in Nursing, she completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay in 2013. She currently serves as a Senior Clinical Care Transition Specialist with Option Care Health, where she has worked for nearly 10 years.
She and her husband, Donald, have been married for almost 10 years and are raising their three children, along with their dog, Nitro. The family resides in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
In her free time, she enjoys staying active, reading, learning, and baking. Although she no longer exhibits at the fair, attending the Columbia County Fair remains a cherished family tradition each summer.
LORI (ATTOE) BONGERT~2002
Lori (Attoe) Bongert served as Fairest in the year of 2002. Lori graduated from Poynette High School in 2003 and continued her education at the University of Wisconsin - Platteville majoring in Elementary Education. In 2011 received her masters degree in Administration. Lori is currently an elementary teacher for the Rio School District. Lori is married with two children who are actively involved in 4-H and show at both Columbia County Fair and Lodi Fair. Lori is the daughter of Jim and Barb Attoe of rural Poynette.
PEGGY (GAY) HAMELE ~ 1968
Peggy Gay (1968) Columbia County Fairest of the Fair graduated from Portage High School in 1966. She played Maria in the PHS musical production of The Sound of Music and went on to be a very successful teacher and elementary principal, retiring in 2003 as Randall Elementary Principal in Madison. She also served as the Wisconsin State Fair Fairest of the Fair in 1969. She currently lives in Ft. Atkinson with her husband of 55 years, Gene Hamele, who played Capt. VonTrap in the 1966 musical with Peggy. They have three children and eight grandchildren.