St. Mary’s Ryken High School student Megan Hane is the new Queen of Tolerance at the St. Mary’s County Fair. Hane was crowned by Patuxent River NAS Commander Capt. Benjamin Stevchuk in a ceremony to mark the opening of the 67th county fair. The Queen of Tolerance is named after the Maryland Toleration Act of 1649 passed by the Maryland General Assembly at St. Mary’s City, an act that established religious freedom in the new colony.

Ten contestants vied for the title and the winner and two runners-up were chosen during an earlier contest but the names withheld until the opening ceremony. First runner-up was Chopticon H.S. student Ellie Brookbank and second runner-up was St. Mary’s Ryken H.S. student Emily Grace.

Hane’s parents are Christina and Thomas Hane of Tall Timbers. Megan plays field hockey and lacrosse and is president of her class. She is a member of the Student Activities Council and the National Honor Society. She volunteers in the emergency room at MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital.

Master of Ceremonies for the event, as he has been for many years, was State Sen. Roy Dyson. Fair President John Richard presented awards to the winners of the fair catalog cover contest, including the co-winners for the combined cover art chosen: Cassie Aud of Little Flower School (cow and truck) and Sean Detrick of Father Andrew White School (“It’s Awesome” lettering).

Capt. Shevchuk harkened back to the tragic events at the Washington Navy Yard and said the brave men and women who work at military bases “will take us to a more secure future” just as the queen contestants were making a new beginning for their futures.

The fair runs through Sunday, with Friday School Day and free admission for the kids who are off from school. Saturday features the fair parade and Sunday is billed as Family Day. For a complete schedule go to an earlier Bay Net Story: http://www.thebaynet.com/news/index.cfm/fa/viewstory/story_ID/33720

Judging from the large crowds packing the fairgrounds Thursday night and anticipated good weather this could be a record fair attendance. The opening events included several 4-H events and of course the carnival rides, food and exhibit buildings.