The 2015 Swiss Wine Festival gets started this Sunday night, August 9th, when the festival crowns its Princess who will preside over the four-day event.
This year’s festival will be held in the Paul Ogle Riverfront Park from Thursday, August 27th through Sunday, August 30th.
The Edelweiss Princess pageant will be held this year in the cafeteria at Switzerland County High School, and will begin at 7 p.m. There is a $5 admission charge, with one parent of each contestant being admitted free; and children under 12 will be admitted free.
Here’s a look at this year’s Princess contestants:
MACY EVELYN BARWICK is the daughter of Bryan and Carrie Barwick of near Vevay; and she will be a freshman this fall at Hanover College. She is being sponsored in the pageant by Golden Shear Barber Shop.
She was the co-Valedictorian of her graduating class; was a delegate to Hoosier Girls State; and was the 2015 Switzerland County High School Prom Queen. She was a member of the marching band; was a member of the Homecoming Court, and represented her class at the Aurora Farmer’s Fair.
Her goals are to attend Hanover College this fall with a double major in English and Spanish and a minor in business; and then pursue a career in international business.
ERIKA DANIELLE COY is being sponsored in the pageant by the American Legion Auxiliary; and she will be a sophomore this fall at Indiana University in Bloomington. She is the daughter of Greg and Barb Coy of near Vevay.
She is a member of Olive Branch Baptist Church; the American Legion Auxiliary; and the American Red Cross Club at IU. She is active in IU’s Business Professionals of America; is on the Collins Living Learning Center Philanthropy board; and is a member of the Sigma Alpha Lambda honors organization.
Her goal is to obtain a doctorate in neuroscience and then work for a research team at a hospital to find cures for neurological diseases and disorders.
McKENNA LEIGH EDWARDS will be a senior this fall at Switzerland County High School, and she is the daughter of Michael and Marla Edwards of near Quercus Grove. She is being sponsored in the pageant by RS Home Sales.
She is the reigning Edelweiss Teen Princess; was the FFA Queen of Hearts; and the Glencoe Frontier Days Princess. She is a varsity cheerleader; a member of the softball team; and was a delegate to Hoosier Girls State. She is co-President of the FCA; and is a member of Olive Branch Baptist Church, where she is active in the 412 Youth Group Ministry.
Her career goal is to attend IUPUI and major in accounting and eventually earn her MBA.
JACLYN VIRGINIA HART is the daughter of Dan and Trina Hart of near Pleasant. She is being sponsored in the pageant by Edelweiss Floral, and will be a freshman this fall at IUPU Columbus.
She served as President of her senior class; is President of her 4-H club; was co-President of the student council; and was the first runner up in the Versailles Pumpkin Show Queen contest. She is the 2015 Miss Switzerland County 4-H Fair; and was a member of Key Club, BPA, and the bowling team.
Her career goal is to attend IUPUC and pursue a master’s degree in business; and hopes to one day become the CEO of an American company.
JACQUELINE DETRAZ HENSLEY will be a freshman this fall at Hanover College, and she is the daughter of Robert and Monica Hensley of Vevay. She is being sponsored in the pageant by Detraz Services.
She was the first runner up in the 2014 Edelweiss Princess pageant; was the third runner up in the 2015 Queen of Hearts pageant; and was the fourth runner up in the 2013 Edelweiss Teen Princess pageant. She was the salutatorian of the Class of 2015; participated in swimming and volleyball; and was a member of the National Honor Society and BPA.
Her career goal is to earn a degree in political science; and then attend law school and become an attorney.
PAIGE ALLISON MARIE RIDENER will be a sophomore this fall at Indiana University, Southeast. She is being sponsored in the pageant by Roxano’s Restaurant, and is the daughter of Lisa and Dobbie Ridener of near Vevay.
In high school she ranked in the top 10-percent of her class and was a member of the National Honor Society; and in college she was a member of the Academic Tutoring Club and was the top Math Student. She also earned first place in the beginner ceramics show.
Her career goal is to earn a bachelor’s degree in secondary education in mathematics; and then plans on starting her teaching career at her alma mater, Switzerland County High School.
BAYLIE ANN SCUDDER is the daughter of Jennifer and Allen Scudder of near Fairview; and she is being sponsored in this year’s pageant by Schuler Farms. She will be a senior this fall at Switzerland County High School.
She is a member of the volleyball team, where she earned All Sectional honors last year; and is also a member of the softball team. She has also earned certification in Microsoft Office.
Her career goal is to study radiology and have a career as a radiologist.
KORAH ANNE TAYLOR is being sponsored in this year’s pageant by WaiBack Forty Farms; and she will be a junior this fall at Indiana State University. She is the daughter of Andi Wainscott of near Fairview.
She was a finalist in the Kentucky Festival Pageant; was first runner up in the Miss Switzerland County 4-H Fair pageant; and is an honor student. She was the recipient of the Linda Bennitt Scholarship and the Mike McClure Scholarship.
Her career goal is to graduate from college and pursue a career as a criminal profiler for the FBI.