Mary Streett was honored last Saturday night as the 2016 ‘Queen of Hearts’ from a field of eight candidates, highlighting an outstanding week of activities for FFA Week.
The pageant was held in the cafeteria of Switzerland County High School, and is one of the more unique pageants in the area. Each of the contestants is asked to present a platform that addresses a social issue in the school, the community, the country, or the world. Once the winning contestant is selected, the FFA chapter embraces that platform and works through the year to raise funds in support of that project.
This past year, the FFA worked in support of the Ronald McDonald House, which was the platform of 2015 Queen of Hearts McKenna Edwards. During this year’s pageant, McKenna gave a presentation on Ronald McDonald charities and the services it provides families.
At Saturday’s pageant, freshman Mary Streett was crowned as the new Queen of Hearts.
Mary is the daughter of Stacy and Tim Streett of Vevay; and at Saturday’s pageant her platform promoted Riley Children’s Hospital. She was sponsored by Hocker Law Office.
She is active in the FFA; Business Professionals of America; and is a Freshman class officer. She participates on the volleyball and swim teams; and is a member of the cheerleading squad. She is a member of the Switzerland Baptist Church youth group; and the National Junior Honor Society.
She has volunteered her time to help with the Veterans Day program at Switzerland County High School; and she also volunteers at the Switzerland County Food Pantry. She was honored as an 8th Grade Scholar by Congressman Luke Messer.
After graduation from high school, Mary plans to have a career as a trauma surgeon in the U.S. Army.
The first runner up in Saturday’s pageant was Calleigh Powell.
Calleigh is the daughter of Dawn and Larry ‘Tater’ Powell of near Allensville. She was sponsored in the pageant by Vevay Media Group and her platform was Holt International Children’s Services.
She participates in soccer, basketball, and track; and she is also a member of the Spanish Club; the Pep Club; Fellowship of Christian Athletes; and Business Professionals of America. She is a member of the Olive Branch Baptist Church youth group; and volunteers with Polar Plunge and the Food Pantry.
Following high school, Calleigh plans on attending the University of Alabama to study to be a genetic therapist.
Summer Dickerson was honored as the second runner up in the Queen of Hearts pageant.
She is the daughter of Bridgette Miller of Greendale and Mark Dickerson of Pleasant. Her platform in this year’s pageant was Riley Children’s Foundation; and her sponsor in the pageant was Cocoa Tan.
Summer is a member of the varsity softball team; the Business Professionals of American organization; Fellowship of Christian Athletes; the Pep Club; and student council. She is a member of the Kountry Kids 4-H Club; and the Switzerland Baptist Church youth group.
After graduation, she plans on attending college to become a neonatal nurse and work at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
The third runner up on Saturday night was Kelsey Kerkoff.
She championed a platform to assist the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in the pageant, and Kelsey is the daughter of Michele Kerkhoff near Patriot. She was sponsored by the Switzerland County Archery Team.
She has been a part of the FFA’s decorating program during Christmas and during the Fall; has helped with the Swiss Wine Festival grape stomp competition and at the Lions Club booth. She is a member of the FFA; the Archery Team; Dance; Pep Club; and the National Junior Honor Society.
Kelsey’s career plans after high school are to attend Stanford University and earn a degree in medical oncology.
Selected by her fellow contestants as Miss Congeniality was Alexandria Edwards.
She sponsored in the pageant by RS Homes, and is the daughter of Michael and Marla Edwards of near Quercus Grove. Her platform for the pageant was Central Kentucky Riding for Hope.
She is a member of the FFA; Business Professionals of America; Pep Club; and the softball team. She is active in the 412 youth group at Olive Branch Baptist Church; and is also active in the Switzerland County 4-H program, where she is a Junior Leader. She is in the National Junior Honor Society.
After high school, Alex plans on attending Purdue University to become a veterinarian.
Other contestants in this year’s pageant included: Caitlyn Staat, Kassidy Phelps, and Katlynn Papucci.
Former Queen of Hearts Sydney (Pike) Sefton served as the Mistress of Ceremonies.