It took a week longer than expected, but the Switzerland County FFA chapter held its annual ‘Queen of Hearts’ pageant on Sunday, March 1st, fighting off winter weather for the second week in a row.
There were 13 contestants in this year’s pageant, and Switzerland County High School junior McKenna Edwards was honored as this year’s winner.
A unique aspect of the pageant is that each contestant chooses a platform that addresses a social issue. During the pageant the contestant explains their platform and why it is important. The Switzerland County FFA chapter then adopts the platform of the winning contestant and raises both funding and awareness throughout the year.
Erika Coy, the 2014 Queen of Hearts, had the Special Olympics as her platform, and throughout this year funds were raised in a variety of ways, including holding a 5K Walk/Run.
This year, McKenna Edwards chose the Ronald McDonald House program as her platform.
The new Queen of Hearts is the daughter of Mike and Marla Edwards of Quercus Grove. She was sponsored in this year’s pageant by RS Home Sales.
She is a member of the National Honor Society; BPA; Pep Club; the Fellowship of Christian Athletes; student council; and Olive Branch Baptist Church youth group. She is a cheerleader and a member of the softball team; and was the 2103 Edelweiss Teen Princess.
The first runner up in Sunday’s pageant was Macy Barwick.
She is the daughter of Bryan and Carrie Barwick; and is a senior at Switzerland County High School. Her platform for this year’s pageant was Autism Awareness; and her sponsor was Weaver Farms.
She is Vice President of the Senior Class; was second runner up in the Homecoming court; is a member of the band, student council, National Honor Society, Drama Club, BPA, and Key Club. She was a delegate to Hoosier Girls State.
Adeli Kinne was honored as the second runner up in the pageant.
She was sponsored by Switzerland County Farm Bureau, Inc.; and is the daughter of Steve and Judy Kinne of near Vevay. Her platform for the contest was HOPPS, Inc. (Helping Our Pediatric Patients Smile).
She is active in FFA, where she serves as chapter President and District Vice President; and is a member of the cross country, track, archery, and cheerleading teams. She is a member of National Honor Society; Student Leadership Advisory Council; the Drama Club; and the Prom Committee.
Honored as the third runner up in the Queen of Hearts pageant was Jacqueline Hensley.
She is the daughter of Bobby and Monica Hensley of Vevay, and was sponsored in the pageant by Detraz Services. Her platform for the competition was ‘Your Vote, Your Voice’.
She is a member of the varsity volleyball and swim teams; and is a member of National Honor Society; BPA; Spanish Club; Pep Club; and Junior Historical Society. She is on the Student Leadership Advisory Council; and ranks third academically in her class.
The fourth runner up on Sunday was Audrey Kinne.
Her platform for this year’s pageant was the Dangers of Texting and Driving; and she was sponsored in the pageant by Nathan and Donna Hughes from the Switzerland County Sheriff’s Department. She is the daughter of Steve and Judy Kinne of near Vevay
She is a member of the cross country, track, and archery teams; is a member of the National Honor Society; Key Club; Drama Club; Outdoors Club; BPA; and FFA, where she has participated in the Indiana State FFA SOAR and Summer Challenge Camps and has participated in many other FFA activities.
Selected by her fellow contestants as Miss Congeniality was Mackenzie Covington.
She was sponsored in the pageant by Covington’s Towing and Recovery; and she is the daughter of Joe Covington. Her platform for the Queen of Hearts pageant was the American Cancer Society.
She is a member of BPA, student council, and the track and soccer teams. She volunteers at the Switzerland County Animal Shelter; and has worked gates at the Swiss Wine Festival.. She earned the ‘Outstanding Player’ award for soccer.
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Other contestants in this year’s pageant included: Summer Dickerson, Lauren Rose, Maggie Moore, Katlynn Papucci, Kassidy Phelps, Cameron Ray, and Hope Tankersley.
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Also honored during this year’s Queen of Hearts pageant was teacher Sharon Hansel. She was honored for her years of dedicated service to the pageant and helping make it a success.