The Switzerland County FFA Chapter will hold its annual “Queen of Hearts” pageant this Sunday afternoon at the Switzerland County High School cafeteria.
The pageant will begin at 2:30 p.m.
This year there are eight candidates vying for the title of “Queen of Hearts”. This pageant is different than many that contestants participate in, because each candidate is asked to identify a charitable cause that they are concerned with. The Switzerland County FFA chapter embraces the platform of the winning candidate, raising money throughout the coming year to help assist with the promotion of the platform.
The reigning “Queen of Hearts” is Carrie Truax. Her platform last year was the Switzerland County YMCA.
This year’s candidates include:
– ELIZABETH JANE ABBOTT. Beth Abbott is the daughter of Tim and Jenny Abbott of Parks Ridge. She is being sponsored in the pageant by Pam’s Scissor Talk, and is a junior at Switzerland County High School.
She is a member of the varsity cross country and track teams, and is the manager of the varsity softball team. She is chapter secretary of the Switzerland County FFA chapter, and is the District 12 Reporter. She is involved in the Business Professionals of America, the Pep Club, 4-H, and is a member of the Prince of Peace Catholic Church. She earned scholastic honors in cross country the last two years, and has also earned Grand Champion honors in the 4-H program.
Following graduation, she plans on attending Valparaiso University and major in meteorology.
– ANDREA BROGAN. Andrea Brogan is a freshman at Switzerland County High School, and is the daughter of James and Rita Brogan of Florence. She is being sponsored in this year’s pageant by Mary Kay Cosmetics.
She is a member of the varsity cross country and track teams, and is also a varsity cheerleader. She is involved in the Switzerland County FFA program, and is also involved in 4-H and helps out with the York Township Fire Department and the Florence Church of Christ. She was the fourth runner up in the Edelweiss Teen Princess pageant, is vice president of the freshman class, and was all conference in cross country this year.
After graduation, she plans on attending Purdue University and studying to become a nurse or a paramedic.
– LACI DAUGHERTY. Laci Daugherty is the daughter of Richard and Debbi Daugherty of Vevay, and is being sponsored in this year’s pageant by the Switzerland County High School French Club. She is a junior at Switzerland County High School.
She is a member of the varsity cheerleading squad, the varsity golf team, and the varsity track team. She is a member of the FFA chapter, the French Club, National Honor Society, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the Junior Historical Society. She was the “Student Idol” winner, volunteers at the nursing home, with the Special Olympics, and at the Quercus Grove Food Pantry.
After graduation she plans on attending Indiana University in the pre-optometry school and then going on to become an Optometrist.
– KARA RENAE HUDSON. Kara Hudson is the daughter of Cindy and Anthony Hudson of near East Enterprise, and is being sponsored in this year’s pageant by the Switzerland County High School Key Club. She is a senior at Switzerland County High School.
She is a board member of the Swiss Wine Festival and the United Fund of Switzerland County; and is president of the senior class. She is president of the National Honor Society, is a member of the Pep Club, and is also a member of Olive Branch Baptist Church. She was the second runner up for Homecoming Queen, was the 2007 Female Swiss Ambassador, and was Miss Congeniality in the 2007 Queen of Hearts pageant.
Following graduation she plans on attending Franklin College and then on to IU Medical School to pursue her dream of becoming a pediatrician and hopes one day to work at Childrens Hospital in Cincinnati.
– EMILY CHRISTINE LANMAN. Emily Lanman is a junior at Switzerland County High School, and is being sponsored in this year’s pageant by State Farm Insurance, Jeni Scudder. She is the daughter of Patrick and Jacquita Lanman of Vevay.
She is a member of the varsity cheerleading squad, the varsity golf team, and is the manager of the varsity track team. She is a member of the FFA chapter, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society, the Pep Club, and the Spanish Club. She is a member of the Relay for Life luminary committee, is a volunteer with the Swiss Wine Festival, and is a member of the Olive Branch Baptist Church Youth Group.
Following graduation she plans on attending college and pursuing a career as a wedding coordinator.
– HALIE THOMAS. Halie Thomas is a freshman at Switzerland County High School, and is the daughter of Harold and Tina Thomas of near Moorefield. She is being sponsored in this year’s pageant by Jackson Racing.
She is a member of the junior varsity cheerleading squad, the Switzerland County FFA chapter, the Key Club, and the Pep Club. She volunteers her time at the nursing home, helping with the Switzerland County Relay for Life event, and with the Special Olympics. She is a member of the National Junior Honor Society, and was voted as “Biggest Flirt” and “Best Eyes” in middle school last year.
Her career ambition is to become a pediatrician.
– ASHLEY TURNER. Ashley Turner is being sponsored in this year’s pageant by Mo’s Steakhouse, and is a senior at Switzerland County High School. She is the daughter of Patricia Turner and Robert Turner.
She is a member of the Business Professionals of America, the Key Club, student council, the conservation club, STATS, is an officer in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and is a team leader for the school newspaper. She is a varsity cheerleader, was a member of the Homecoming court, and volunteers her time at the nursing home, reading to elementary students, and performing water testing.
Following graduation she plans on attending the University of Central Florida and majoring in psychology.
– EMILEE WALDRON. Emilee Waldron is the daughter of Dorie and Greg Peelman of near East Enterprise, and Tony Waldron of Versailles. She is a senior at Switzerland County High School, and is being sponsored in this year’s pageant by Tom T’s Electric.
She is treasurer of the senior class, is treasurer of the Switzerland County FFA chapter, and is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She is a member of the math academic team, the conservation club, STATS, and National Honor Society. She is a member of the varsity softball team; and is a varsity cheerleader. She was the first runner up in the Miss Switzerland County pageant; and was second runner up in the Edelweiss Princess pageant.
Following graduation she plans on attending Purdue University and majoring in pre-pharmacy.