Switzerland County High School and the Switzerland County FFA chapter crowned Nicole Leap its “Queen of Hearts” during a pageant that was held last Wednesday, February 20th. The pageant is a yearly program of the FFA as a means of creating community service.
The difference between the “Queen of Hearts” pageant and other contest held throughout the year is that each contestant is asked to promote a platform of service that is important to them, and then discuss that platform as part of the pageant.
The Switzerland County FFA chapter will then take on the project and cause of the “Queen of Hearts” winner for the coming year.
Queen Nicole Leap is the daughter of Roy and Julie Leap, and was sponsored in the pageant by Chris Bolton Construction. She is the Community Chair of the FFA chapter; and is a member of the Pep Club; the Spanish Club; and participates in the Special Olympics “Polar Plunge”. She is a member of the varsity soccer team and a member of Fredonia Baptist Church. Her plans after high school include entering the radiology program at King’s Daughters’ Hospital.
Her platform for the pageant was the American Red Cross, so the FFA chapter will be adopting the Red Cross as its community service platform for the coming year.
Olivia Hewitt was named as the pageant’s first runner up, and she was also honored by her fellow contestant’s as Miss Congeniality.
She is the daughter of David Hewitt and Christy Cutter; and was sponsored in the “Queen of Hearts” pageant by Christy Cutter and River Ridge Realtors. She is a member of the varsity volleyball, swimming, and track teams; and is active in the FFA chapter. She is also active in the Key Club; Pep Club; and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Her career ambition is to graduate as valedictorian of her class, attend college, and earn a degree in physical therapy.
Her platform for the pageant was serving veterans and their families.
The second runner up in this year’s “Queen of Hearts” pageant was Lauren Haskell.
She is the daughter of Cindy Haskell and Eddie Haskell, and was sponsored in the pageant by Edelweiss Floral. She is a member of the FFA; outdoor club; the Fellowship of Christian Athletes; Pep Club; and the yearbook staff. She participates in soccer, cheerleading, and on the swim team. She is a member of the Olive Branch Baptist Church youth group; volunteers with the Little Swiss Polka Dancers; and is a nine-year member of 4-H. Her ambition after college is to pursue a career in the child care field helping special needs children.
Her platform for the pageant was the Special Olympics.
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Other contestants in this year’s pageant, including sponsors and platforms, included:
– Destiny Brown, sponsored in the pageant by Bowling Farm Equipment. Her platform was Riley Children’s Hospital.
– Kelsey Bush, sponsored in the pageant by Sheets and Sons Enterprise. Her platform was the ‘Make a Wish’ Foundation.
– Jacqueline Hensley, sponsored in the pageant by Detraz Services. Her platform was the Switzerland County Animal Shelter.
– Elizabeth Nibarger, sponsored in the pageant by the Switzerland County YMCA. Her platform for the pageant was the Switzerland County Animal Shelter.
– Stephanie Smith, sponsored in the pageant by Golden Shear Barber Shop. Her platform for the pageant was child abuse prevention and awareness.
– Korah Taylor, sponsored in the pageant by Waiback Forty Farms. Her platform for the pageant was the Vevay Recycling Program.
– Kassandra Woodward, sponsored in the pageant by her parents. Her platform of the pageant was the Switzerland County Animal Shelter.