The 2011 Swiss Wine Festival activities got officially underway on Sunday evening as Andrea Brogan and Connor Osowski were crowned as this year’s Swiss Wine Festival Princess and Prince.
The scholarship program was again held at the CenterStage Showroom at Belterra Casino Resort and Spa, and saw a large crowd turn out to cheer on their favorite candidates.
Andrea Brogan won the honor of being this year’s Princess from a field of 10 contestants. She earned a $1,000 scholarship along with her title.
Andrea is the daughter of James and Rita Brogan of near Florence, and will be a freshman this fall at Northern Kentucky University. She was sponsored in the pageant by the Switzerland County Democratic Party.
She was a four-year varsity cheerleader; was the 2010 Miss Switzerland County; and the 2011 Queen of Hearts. She was voted “Future Farmer” by her senior classmates; and was President of the FFA chapter her senior year.
Her career plans are to obtain a bachelor’s degree in nursing or athletic training.
Prince Connor Osowski claimed his title from a field of five contestants, and also earned a $1,000 scholarship. He was also honored by his fellow contestants as “Mister Congeniality”.
Connor will be a freshman this fall at Wright State University; and is the son of Daniel and Mary Beth Osowski. He was sponsored in the program by Sheri’s Accounting Service.
In high school he competed in baseball, where he earned the All Conference Mental Attitude Award his senior season. He was the top student in the senior class in AP literature and AP U.S. History; and was a member of the National Honor Society. He also enjoys playing hockey.
At Wright State, Connor will pursue a career as a mechanical engineer.
The first runner up in the Princess competition was Jessie Ray.
She is the daughter of Troy Ray and Billie and Shane Jackson; and was sponsored in the pageant by The Ridge Winery Tasting Room. She will be a freshman this fall at Thomas More College.
In high school, she earned “The Pacer” Scholarship, the Kiwanis Scholarship, the Dr. Jackson Memorial Scholarship, the Lena Bish Award; and the Thomas More College Freshman Leadership Scholarship. She was President of her class for all four years of high school; was a two-year co-captain of the varsity cheerleading squad; and was the 2011 Prom Queen.
At Thomas More she plans on earning a bachelor of science degree in nursing and would like to continue working in the Northern Kentucky area.
She earned a $500 scholarship in the program.
Damon Robbins was the first runner up in the Prince program, also earning a $500 scholarship.
Damon was sponsored in the program by Homestead Realty, and is the son of Mark and Charity Robbins of Pleasant Grove Road. He will be a freshman this fall at Northern Kentucky University.
While in high school he was a delegate to Hoosier Boys State; was the third runner up in the 2010 Edelweiss Prince Program, and was a member of the high school’s Business Professionals of America organization his senior year. He enjoys basketball, playing video games, and movies.
His career ambition is to make a Super Bowl commercial.
Earning the title of second runner up in the Princess pageant was Kelly Jo Kincaid, who earned a $250 scholarship.
Kelly is the daughter of Gina Kincaid and Scotty Kincaid, and will be a senior this fall at Switzerland County High School. She was sponsored in the pageant by Swiss Caps.
In high school she earned the Speech Communication Award and the Microsoft Word Specialist Award; and is a member of the varsity basketball and track teams, where she earned All conference honors. She is a member of the FCA and FFA, and also the Olive Branch Baptist Church Youth Group.
Following graduation, Kelly plans on attending college and earning a degree in pharmacy or nursing.
The second runner up in the Prince program was Corey McFarland.
Corey was sponsored by the Switzerland County YMCA, and is the son of Brian and Tracey McFarland of near Center Square. He will be a sophomore this fall at Wabash College.
In high school he was a member of the cross country team, earning All Conference, All Sectional, and All Regional honors; and while running at Wabash College, he was named the Freshman Most Valuable Runner; the Most Improved Runner, the team MVP, and earned a Leadership Award. He also participates on the Wabash track team.
His career ambition is to work in conservation and the preservation of our natural resources. He also earned a $250 scholarship.
Kim Cox was honored as the third runner up in the Princess pageant.
Kim was sponsored in the pageant by CVS Pharmacy, and is the daughter of David and Debbie Cox of near Vevay. She will be a freshman this fall at Manchester College.
In high school she was the President of the National Honor Society; Vice President of the senior class and the Junior Historical Society; and was Class Valedictorian. She earned the Lilly Endowment Scholarship; and was a two year captain of the girls varsity soccer team, and was All Sectional in soccer in 2010. She was also a member of the Drama Club.
Her career ambition is to pursue a doctorate in pharmacy. She earned a $100 scholarship on Sunday night.
The third runner up, also earning a $100 scholarship, in the Prince program was Tim McAlister.
Tim was sponsored in the program by Back to Health Chiropractic, and will be a freshman this fall at Indiana University. He is the son of Terry and Jackie McAlister of Scotts Ridge.
In high school he was a member of the varsity soccer and baseball teams; was a member of the Business Professionals of America, where he earned titles at the district and state levels, and was a part of the National Leadership Academy. He was a member of student council, the History and Calculus Academic teams, and he currently works at The Links at Grand Victoria.
His career plan is to attend Indiana University and major in chemistry and a concentration in metallurgy and a minor in business. He would like to have a career as a metallurgist.
The fourth runner up in the Princess pageant, earning a $50 scholarship, was Lindsay Scott.
Lindsay will be a freshman at Ivy Tech Community College this fall, and is the daughter of Glenn Scott and Kristal Scott. She was sponsored in the pageant by Chandler Lawncare.
In high school she earned the National Guard Academic and Athletic Award; the Kenneth Booker Scholarship; the Nick Hart Scholarship; the Chad Valentine Scholarship; and the Fire Chiefs Scholarship. She serves on the board of directors of the United Fund of Switzerland County.
Lindsay is currently a sales associate at MainSource Bank; and will pursue a degree in nursing.
Evan Fisher was the fourth runner up in Sunday night’s program, also earning a $50 scholarship.
He is the son of Jerry and Lisa Fisher of Vevay, and was sponsored in the program by the Schenck Mansion Bed and Breakfast. This fall he will be a freshman at Northern Michigan College.
He earned the 20098 Culinary Award from the Southeastern Career Center; earned Advanced Microsoft Word certification; and was a stunt man on the Switzerland County High School varsity cheerleading squad his junior and senior years.
His career ambition is to be a chef.
Honored by her fellow competitors as Miss Congeniality was Emily Bush.
Emily will be a junior this fall at Switzerland County High School, and was sponsored by Sheets and Sons Enterprises. She is the daughter of Lee Ann Bush and Denton Bush and the step daughter of Jeff May.
In high school she has earned a choir award from ISSMA; and enjoys texting, working, babysitting, hanging out with her friends, and shopping.
Following high school her career plans are undecided, but she hopes to have a career in the medical field.
Other contestants in the Swiss Wine Festival Princess pageant included: Chelsea Duvall, Ashley Green, Moriah McFarland, and Hayley South.
This year’s 40th Swiss Wine Festival will be held August 25th-28th in the Paul Ogle Riverfront Park.