This year’s Swiss Wine Festival will celebrate the 200th anniversary of commercial winemaking when it begins tonight (Thursday) in the Paul Ogle Riverfront Park, and among a variety of events going on tonight will be the crowning of this year’s Edelweiss Teen Princess.
There are 15 girls hoping for the chance to be this year’s Teen Princess; joining Princess Dru Morgan and Prince Daniel Welch in presiding over this year’s festival. This year’s winner will be crowned by Rachel Gurley, last year’s Teen Princess.
Here’s a look at this year’s candidates:
– ELIZABETH JANE ABBOTT: Beth Abbott is a junior at Switzerland County High School, and is the daughter of Tim and Jenny Abbott of Parks Ridge. She is being sponsored in this year’s pageant by Pam’s Scissor Talk.
She is a member of the National Honor Society; the FFA; the Fellowship of Christian Athletes; and Prince of Peace Catholic Church. She is on the varsity cross country and track teams, and is manager of the softball team.
Following graduation she plans on attending college and majoring in meteorology, and hopes one day to work at the National Hurricane Center.
– ANDREA NICOLE BROGAN: Andrea Brogan is a freshman at Switzerland County High School and is being sponsored in the pageant by Haskell and Morrison Funeral Home. She is the daughter of James and Rita Brogan of Florence.
She is a member of the American Legion Auxiliary; 4-H; the FFA; and also participates in cross country and track. She is a varsity cheerleader; and was voted by her classmates as having the “Most School Spirit” in the eighth grade.
Her career ambition is to attend college and study to become a paramedic.
- KIMBERLY ELIZABETH COX: Kim Cox is the daughter of David and Debbie Cox of near Vevay; and is a freshman this fall at Switzerland County High School. She is being sponsored in the pageant by Swiss Villa Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
She is a member of the National Junior Honor Society; the Spell Bowl team; the Academic Super Bowl team; and the Builders Club. She was a peer mediator; was president of the student council; and also participates in soccer and track.
She is undecided on her career plans, but is considering such areas as law, law enforcement, medical, and education.
– LACI ELIZABETH DAUGHERTY: Laci Daugherty is being sponsored in this year’s pageant by Danner’s Hardware; and is the daughter of Richard and Debbie Daugherty of Vevay. She is a junior this fall at Switzerland County High School.
She was the second runner up in the 2006 Edelweiss Teen Princess pageant; and is a member of the FFA; the varsity golf team; and the Key Club. She was the “Student Idol” winner; is a varsity cheerleader; and is a member of the varsity track team. She is a member of the National Honor Society; show choir; and Spring Branch Baptist Church
She plans on attending Purdue University to study for a career in pharmacy.
– ASHLEY NICOLE GREEN: Ashley Green is the daughter of Jenny and Greg Green of McCreary’s Ridge; and is a freshman this fall at Switzerland County High School. She is being sponsored in this year’s pageant by The Mustard Lady.
She was the 2004 4-H Princess in Ohio County; is a member of the 4-H program; and has earned inclusion on the All A Honor Roll. She tied for first place on the Rose-Hulman mathematics test; and earned academic achievement awards in math, science, reading, social studies, and language arts.
Following her graduation from high school, she plans on attending Purdue University to pursue a career as an athletic trainer.
– KAITLYN MARIE HALL: Katie Hall is a sophomore at Switzerland County High School; and is being sponsored in this year’s pageant by Keli’s Critter Care. She is the daughter of Shauna Wiley of near Vevay and Bruce Hall of near Vevay.
She is a member of the National Junior Honor Society; Fellowship of Christian Athletes; the 4-H program, where she has raised grand champion sheep and starter calves as well as earning showmanship honors; and is a member of Switzerland Baptist Church. She earned a mental attitude award in track; and participates in volleyball, track, softball, and basketball.
Her career ambition is to become a physical therapist.
– BAYLIE DANIELLE JUDY: Baylie Judy is the daughter of Shannon and Robert Judy of near Fairview. She is a sophomore this fall at Switzerland County High School; and is being sponsored in the pageant by Tolbert’s Car Wash.
She is a varsity cheerleader; a member of the National Junior Honor Society; and enjoys cooking, fishing, camping, gymnastics, playing softball, singing, and dancing.
Her career ambition after high school is to attend college and study fine arts and hopes to have a career in photography.
– PAIGE M. KELLY: Paige Kelly is a freshman this fall at Switzerland County High School; and is being sponsored in the pageant by Twisted Ends. She is the daughter of Kevin and Lana Kelly of Bennington.
She is a six-year member of the Switzerland County 4-H program, and showed the champion doe in 2004 and also has shown the reserve champion doe. She participates in basketball and softball; and her classmates in eighth grade voted her as a “Best Friend” and also as having the “Best Hair”.
Once she finishes high school, she plans on attending college with a career ambition of becoming an elementary school teacher.
- KAYLA MARIE NAY: Kayla Nay is the daughter of Roger and Luann Nay of Vevay; and is being sponsored in this year’s pageant by the Switzerland County High School Key Club. She is a junior this year at Switzerland County High School.
She is a member of the Key Club; the National Honor Society; and the Junior Historical Society. She also participates in choir; and enjoys swimming, taking pictures, listening to music, and shopping.
She is unsure of her career plans following high school, but some of her interests include nursing and architecture.
- ASHLEY NICOLE POLING: Ashley Poling is a sophomore this fall at Switzerland County High School; and is being sponsored in the pageant by Errol Judy Construction. She is the daughter of Wesley and Ragina Poling of near Vevay.
She is a member of the FFA; the Pep Club; and the National Junior Honor Society. She was nominated to attend the National Young Leaders State Conference; and has earned inclusion in the Honor Roll. She is also a member of the junior varsity softball and volleyball teams.
Her career ambition following high school is to attend college and study to become a physical therapist.
- KAITLYNN MICHELLE RAYLS: Katie Rayls is the granddaughter of Darrell and Jeannie Thurnall of Moorefield; and is being sponsored in this year’s pageant by Total Tan. She is a junior this fall at Switzerland County High School.
She was the third runner up in the 2005 Edelweiss Teen Princess pageant; and is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes; FFA; and Brushy Fork Baptist Church, where she is active in her youth group. She earned the “Most Improved” award in volleyball in 2005.
Following graduation she would like to attend Asbury College, where she will major in sports management and communications.
– HAILEE RENEA SMITH: Hailee Smith is the daughter of Roger and Tonia Smith of near Fairview; and is a sophomore this fall at Switzerland County High School. She is being sponsored in this year’s pageant by Richardson Industries.
She is a member of the volleyball, basketball, and softball teams, and earned the coach’s award in junior varsity softball last year. She was also named the “Most Valuable Sprinter”, and is a member of the Switzerland County 4-H program.
Following graduation she plans on attending Indiana University and majoring in veterinary science, and plans on being a veterinarian.
– HAYLEY ANN SOUTH: Hayley South is an eighth grader at Switzerland County Middle School; and is being sponsored in this year’s pageant by Coates and Associates. She is the daughter of Carol Smith of Vevay and Jim South.
She was named “Camper of the Week” at Hanover Basketball Camp; earned high honors in language arts and social studies. She participates in track, where she holds the middle school record in the 800-meter run; and is a member of Switzerland Baptist Church. She participates in cross country, basketball, softball, and track.
Her career ambition is to attend Indiana University and study nursing.
– MARY CARRINGTON TRUAX: Carrie Truax is a sophomore at Switzerland County High School; and is being sponsored in the pageant by the Vevay Kiwanis Club. She is the daughter of Candy and John Haskell of Vevay; and Larry and Julie Truax of Madison.
She is a member of the FFA; Key Club; student council; and the junior varsity and varsity basketball teams. She was the fourth runner up in the 2005 Edelweiss Teen Princess pageant; and is the reigning Queen of Hearts at Switzerland County High School. She is a member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church; and the National Junior Honor Society.
Following graduation she plans on attending Clemson University and work toward a degree in broadcast journalism; and one day hopes to be a news anchor at a major television network.
- BRIDGETT MARIE WASHNOCK: Bridgett Washnock is a junior at Switzerland County High School, and is the daughter of Larry and Paula Washnock of East Enterprise. She is being sponsored in this year’s pageant by L&L Tree Service.
She is a member of student council; is treasurer of her class; and is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the National Honor Society. She is a varsity cheerleader; and is involved in the 4-H program and in gymnastics.
Following graduation she plans on attending Indiana University and pursue a career in fashion merchandising.