The 2005 edition of the Swiss Wine Festival kicks off its four days in the Paul Ogle Riverfront Park tonight (Thursday) with the Edelweiss Teen Princess pageant.
This year’s teen princess will join Princess Katie Wright and Prince Kaleb Adams in overseeing this year’s festival, which will run through Sunday.
There are 16 entrants in the Teen Princess pageant, and the event will get underway 8 p.m. on the Main Stage. The evening begins with the Community Grape Stomp and the “4-Paws” doggie pageant; and the Little Swiss Polka Dancers and the Edelweiss Dancers will make their first appearances of the festival.
Last year’s Teen Princess Sydney Pike will be on hand to crown the new princess.
Contestants for this year’s Teen Princess pageant include:
— BETHANY NICOLE BRAGG. Bethany Bragg is the daughter of Russ and Jeanne Bragg of near Vevay. She is a freshman at Switzerland County High School, and is being sponsored in the pageant by the German Corner. She is a varsity cheerleader, was a peer mediator in middle school, and participates in gymnastics. She is a member of Markland Baptist Church, and following high school she plans on attending college, but is unsure of a career choice at this time.
— ASHLEY MICHELE BRIGHT. Ashley Bright is a junior at Switzerland County High School, and is sponsored in this year’s pageant by Heritage Hill Farms, Inc. She is the daughter of Georganna Chambers of Vevay, and in high school she is a member of the varsity cross country, basketball, and softball teams. She is a member of the National Honor Society, and was vice president of the sophomore class. Following graduation she plans on attending college and studying child psychology.
— LACI ELIZABETH DAUGHERTY. Laci Daugherty is the daughter of Rick and Debbie Daugherty of Vevay, and is being sponsored in the pageant by Danner’s Gifts. She is a freshman at Switzerland County High School, and is participating on the golf team and is captain of the freshman cheerleading squad. She won the Swiss Wine Festival talent show in 2000; and is a member of the high school show choir. She is in FFA, takes gymnastics, and plays softball. She plans on attending college, where she would like to study pre-law.
— JILLIAN MAY HAZELDEAN. Jill Hazeldean is a junior at Switzerland County High School, and is being sponsored in the pageant by the Schenck Mansion Bed and Breakfast. She is the daughter of Jerry and Jan Hazeldean of Tapps Ridge, and was the third runner up in the 2004 Teen Princess pageant. She is a varsity cheerleader, a member of FFA, Prayer Group, and the Markland Baptist Church Youth Group. Following high school she plans on being a fashion model and designer.
— CRYSTAL LYNN JACKSON. Crystal Jackson is the daughter of Barbara Jackson of Vevay and Leon Jackson of Rising Sun. She is a freshman at Switzerland County High School, and is being sponsored by Rayburn’s Service Center. She is a member of FFA, serving as president of the middle school FFA chapter; and likes to swim, fish, and take walks. Following graduation from high school, Crystal Jackson plans on pursuing a career as a wedding consultant.
— EMILY CHRISTINE LANMAN. Emily Lanman is sponsored in this year’s pageant by State Farm Insurance. She is the daughter of Pat and Jacquita Lanman of Vevay, and is a freshman at Switzerland County High School. She a member of National Junior Honor Society; and is a freshman cheerleader. She is a seven-year member of the 4-H program, and is a member of the Olive Branch Baptist Church Youth Group. Following graduation she would like to be an elementary teacher or a pediatric audiologist.
— SARAH BETH MORGAN. Sarah Morgan is a sophomore at Switzerland County High School, and is being sponsored by the Switzerland County Key Club. She is the daughter of Christy and Daniel Morgan of Green Valley Road; and is a member of student council; band and pep band; and is a member of choir and show choir. She is a member of Union Baptist Church; and volunteers at the Visitors Center. Following graduation she would like to attend college and pursue a career in nursing.
— ASHLEE RENEE RANDOLPH. Ashlee Randolph is a freshman at Switzerland County High School, and is the daughter of Steve and Margie Randolph of Vevay and Robby Thomas of Fairview. She is being sponsored in the pageant by Edelweiss Floral, and is a member of Key Club; is secretary of the student council; and is a member of National Junior Society. She is a member of Switzerland Baptist Church; and she would like to attend college and study Spanish and French, and hopes to be an interpreter.
— KAITLYNN M. RAYLS. Katie Rayls is being sponsored in the pageant by Brown’s Farm Implement, and is a freshman at Switzerland County High School. She is the granddaughter of Darrell and Jeannie Thurnall of Moorefield; and earned the middle school superlative as “Most Athletic”. She was an All American Scholar with the United States Achievement Academy; and participates in basketball. She plans on attending the University of Kentucky, where she hopes to play basketball; and wants to be a photographer.
— SAMANTHA JO SMITH. Sammi Smith is being sponsored in this year’s pageant by Turner Construction, and is the daughter of Greg Smith of Rising Sun and Greg and Terri Grove of Posey Township. She is a junior at Switzerland County High School, was voted Miss Congeniality at the 2005 Queen of Hearts pageant; and is active in prayer group. She is a member of Mount Sterling Baptist Church; and following graduation she plans on attending Indiana University to study nursing.
— JENNA MARIE SOUTH. Jenna South is a junior at Switzerland County High School, and is being sponsored by Richardson Industries. She is the daughter of Mike and Volina South of near Vevay, and is a member of the varsity cheerleading squad. She plays on the varsity softball team; and is a member of prayer group, FCA, and lettermans club. She enjoys hanging out with her friends, and her career plans following high school are undecided at this time.
— HEATHER MARIE THOMAS. Heather Thomas is being sponsored in this year’s pageant by Dawson’s Construction, and is the daughter of Harold and Tina Thomas of Brushy Fork Road. She is a freshman at Switzerland County High School, and participates in basketball. She was voted as having the “best eyes” in middle school superlatives; and enjoys swimming and riding four wheelers. Following graduation she plans on pursuing a career as a cosmetologist.
— MARY CARRINGTON TRUAX. Carrie Truax is an eighth grader at Switzerland County Middle School, and is being sponsored in the pageant by Pam’s Scissor Talk. She is the daughter of Candy and John Haskell of near Florence and Larry and Julie Truax of Madison. Carrie participates in basketball, is a peer mediator, and is a member of the 4-H program. She is on the All A Honor Roll, and is a member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church. She wants to major in secondary education after high school, and plans on being a girls basketball coach.
— KIMBERLY DAWN VANN. Kim Vann is the daughter of Roger and Sharon Vann of Long Run. She is a sophomore at Switzerland County High School, and is being sponsored by Twisted Ends Beauty Salon. She has been president of her 4-H club for two years; was voted “most cheerful” by her classmates; and enjoys dancing, singing, and collecting Teddy Bears. Following graduation she plans on pursuing a career as a hair dresser and makeup artist.
— EMILEE RENELL WALDRON. Emilee Waldron is being sponsored in this year’s pageant by Tom T’s Electric, and is the daughter of Tony Waldron of Versailles and Dorie and Greg Peelman of East Enterprise. She is a sophomore at Switzerland County High School, where she is a member of the cheerleading squad; FFA; National Junior Honor Society; and All A Honor Roll. Following high school she plans on pursuing a career as a plastic and reconstructive surgeon.
— KARISTA ANN WENGERT. Karista Wengert is a freshman at Switzerland County High School, and is the daughter of Rosie Rohmann of Vevay. She is being sponsored in this year’s pageant by Big Top Tent Rental. She earned the field event award in middle school track; was voted “most athletic” by her classmates; and participates in volleyball, basketball, and track. She also is a member of the FFA; and following graduation she plans on attending college to pursue a career as a photographer with her own business.