The Switzerland County FFA chapter held its annual “Queen of Hearts” pageant on Sunday afternoon in the Switzerland County High School cafeteria, and freshman Carrie Truax was crowned as this year’s winner from a field of 16 contestants.
The pageant is unique in that each contestant is asked to select a charitable cause and present it as their platform during the contest. The platform of the winning contestant is then adopted by the Switzerland County FFA chapter, which holds fundraisers during the year to support that cause.
Carrie Truax’s platform in this year’s pageant was the Switzerland County YMCA and its programs.
Carrie Truax is the daughter of Larry and Julie Truax of Madison; and Candy and John Haskell of Florence. She was sponsored in the pageant by the Vevay Kiwanis Club.
She is a member of FFA; the Pep Club; Key Club; student council; and is a member of the junior varsity and varsity basketball teams. She is a member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church; is a member of the National Junior Honor Society; and served as a page at the Indiana General Assembly. She has earned inclusion on the “All A” Honor Roll.
Following graduation she plans on attending college and having a career as a high school math teacher and would like to coach girls basketball.
The first runner up in this year’s “Queen of Hearts” pageant was Emilee Waldron.
She is the daughter of Greg and Dorie Peelman of near East Enterprise and Tony Waldron; and was sponsored in this year’s pageant by Tom T’s Electric. Her platform for the contest was Global Warming Awareness.
She is treasurer of the FFA; and is also treasurer of the junior class. She is a varsity cheerleader; a member of the Pep Club; and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She is a member of the cross country, track and softball teams; and is involved in 4-H. She was third runner up in the 2006 Miss Switzerland County pageant; and second runner up in the Swiss Wine Festival Princess competition.
Following graduation she plans on attending the University of Evansville and majoring in pre-medicine; and pursue a career in plastic and reconstructive surgery.
Jessica Wolfe was selected as the second runner up in this year’s pageant.
She is the daughter of Brenda and Greg Vaughn of Seymour; and Phil and Christine Wolfe of near Pleasant. She was sponsored by Lone Wolfe Trucking; and her platform for the contest was Autism Awareness.
She is a member of the Pep Club, and plans on running track this spring. She is a member of the National Guard; and keeps busy with her military duties when not at school. She has volunteered in the preschool class at Jefferson-Craig Elementary School.
Her career plans are to attending Indiana University Southeast; and hopes to one day teach special needs children and special in autism.
The third runner up in this year’s “Queen of Hearts” pageant was Kylie Floyd.
Kylie is the daughter of Brandon and Kelly Floyd of Vevay; and was sponsored in this year’s pageant by Salon 56. Her pageant platform was the American Heart Association.
She is co-president of the show choir and a member of the drama club; and is also an Earth Day volunteer; and has helped with cleaning the Switzerland County Historical Museum. She has also helped decorate the Riley Childrens Hospital for Christmas.
Following graduation she will be attending the University of Indianapolis and will be majoring in psychology.
Jenna South was the fourth runner up in this year’s pageant.
She is the daughter of Mike and Volina South of near Vevay, and her platform for this year’s “Queen of Hearts” pageant was Alzheimer’s research. She was sponsored by Richardson Industries.
She is a three year member of the varsity cheerleading squad, and currently serves as the co-captain; and is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Pep Club. She is a member of the FFA chapter; and helps with the Special Olympics and with middle school cheerleading squads.
Following her graduation from Switzerland County High School, she plans on attending Ivy Tech Community College to pursue a career in nursing.
Selected by her fellow contestants as “Miss Congeniality” was Kara Hudson.
She was sponsored in this year’s pageant by Sheila’s Haircare and Uptown Pizza; and her platform was the United Fund of Switzerland County. She is the daughter of Tony and Cindy Hudson of near East Enterprise.
She is a varsity cheerleader; a member of the Pep Club, student council, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She is president of the junior class; is a member of the Business Professionals of America; is on the prom committee; is a member of the board of the United Fund of Switzerland County; and a member of Olive Branch Baptist Church.
Following graduation she plans on attending college and has a career goal of becoming a pediatrician and also study teen psychology. She would like to work in a childrens hospital.
Other contestants in this year’s “Queen of Hearts” pageant included: Beth Abbott, Brenna Green, Rachel Gurley, Brittany Hall, Jill Hazeldean, Kayla Keith, Morgan Nay, Heather Peacock, Ashley Thornton, and Ashley Turner.