The events of the 2005 Swiss Wine Festival officially get underway this Sunday evening, August 7th, when the Edelweiss Prince and Princess Scholarship Program is held.
This year’s royalty will reign over the 2005 festival, which will be held August 25th-28th in the Paul Ogle Riverfront Park.
The scholarship program will be held in the Center Stage Showroom at Belterra Casino Resort and Spa, and will begin at 6:30 p.m. (slow time). Admission is $5, with children age 12 and under admitted free.
The scholarship program provides a $1,000 scholarship to the Princess and Prince; while the first runners up each receive $500; the second runners up receive $250; the third runners up receive $100; and the fourth runners up receive $50.
There are 10 young ladies vying for the title of Swiss Wine Festival Princess. This year’s contestants include:
— JESSICA LYNN AKINS. Jessica Akins will be a senior at Switzerland County High School this fall, and is being in the program by Richardson Industries. She is 17 years old, and is the daughter of Wendi Akins and Cliff Akins of McCreary’s Ridge. She is a member of the student council; was vice president of the junior class; and was a member of the prom committee. She worked on the yearbook staff, and is working toward an academic honors diploma.
Following graduation she plans on pursuing a career as an orthodontist.
— BRITTANY KAY COLE. Brittany Cole is 18 years old, and is being sponsored in this year’s program by Karrie’s Kuts and Kurls. She is the daughter of Duane and Tammy Cole of Beatty Ridge, and will be a freshman this fall at Indiana University in Bloomington. In high school she was a member of the varsity volleyball, basketball, and softball teams; National Honor Society; Prayer Group; Fellowship of Christian Athletes; and was a team leader for the school newspaper. She was first runner up for Homecoming Queen; and was the 2005 Prom Queen.
At Indiana University she plans on majoring in biology and will pursue a career in physical therapy.
— ELIZABETH NICOLE HON. Elizabeth Hon is the daughter of Danny and Jennifer Hon of Hominy Ridge, and is being sponsored in the program by Hon’s Dairy. She is 18 years old, and will be a freshman this fall at Missouri Valley College. While in high school she was a member of the varsity cheerleading squad; FFA; student council; Pep Club; and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She was the Homecoming Queen; and was voted as having the best laugh by her classmates. She will be a member of the Viking Cheer Squad in College.
She plans on majoring in marketing at Missouri Valley College.
— ABIGAIL FRANCES LANMAN. Abby Lanman is 18 years old and is the daughter of Pat and Jacquita Lanman of Vevay. She will be a freshman this fall at Purdue University, and is being sponsored in the program by the Schenck Mansion Bed and Breakfast. She was a four year varsity cheerleader in high school; a member of the FFA where she held chapter and district offices; was a member of the golf team; and was secretary of the senior class. She was a member of National Honor Society; Olive Branch Baptist Church; and volunteers at the Quercus Grove Food Pantry.
At Purdue she is pursuing a career as an elementary teacher, and hopes to become a principal.
— MEGAN MARIE LOHIDE. Megan Lohide is the daughter of Mark and Lee Jaye Lohide of near East Enterprise, and is being sponsored in the program by Vevay Newspapers, Inc. She will be a freshman this fall at Ball State University, and is 18 years old. While in high school she was a four year member of the varsity cheerleading team, serving as co-captain as a senior; and was a member of the National Honor Society. She participated in cross country, where she earned the ORVC Mental Attitude Award, and track. She was the 2004 Miss Switzerland County; and is a former Edelweiss Teen Princess.
At Ball State she is pursuing a degree in mathematical science, and plans to teach at the high school level.
— BRIANNE SARA-GRACE MARTIN. Brianne Martin is 18 years old and is being sponsored in the program by Danner’s Hardware. She is the daughter of Rebecca Martin of Vevay, and will be a freshman this fall at Indiana Wesleyan University. While in high school she was a class officer for four years, serving as class president as a senior; was a member of the student council; and was co-editor of the yearbook. She was the 2004 Queen of the Versailles Pumpkin Show; and was the Edelweiss Teen Princess. She was a member of the cheerleading squad, and served as co-captain.
Brianne plans on becoming a lawyer and have her own law firm; and also plans on having her own photography business.
— BRITTANY NICOLE WADDLE. Brittany Waddle is the daughter Philip and Sandy Waddle of Pleasant Ridge Road, and is being sponsored in the program this year by the Vevay Kiwanis Club. She is 19 years old, and will begin her sophomore year in the Indiana University School of Nursing this fall. Brittany is a member of the dean’s list; the IU College Republicans; the Indiana University Ski and Snowboard Club; and Circle K.
She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree at the IU School of Nursing, and plans on attaining her license as a nurse practitioner. She hopes to someday work on a pediatric hematology, oncology, and bone marrow transplant unit.
— MATTIE JEAN WADDLE. Mattie Waddle is 18 years old and is the daughter of Philip and Sandy Waddle of Pleasant Ridge Road. She is being sponsored in this year’s program by the Switzerland County High School Key Club; and will be a freshman this fall at Purdue University. She is a Community Foundation Lilly Endowment Scholar; and also earned the Eggleston Club Science Award. While in high school she was involved in the Key Club; student council; and the varsity soccer and track teams. She was a class officer; Fellowship of Christian Athletes; and was president of the National Honor Society.
At Purdue she will pursue a career in pharmacy.
— KATIE EILEENE WRIGHT. Katie Wright is the daughter of B. J. Wright of near Five Points and the late Dr. Jerry Wright. She is 17 years old and will be a senior this fall at Switzerland County High School. She is being sponsored in the program by Swiss Alps Printing, and is involved in 4-H, having earned numerous 4-H awards. She was the first runner up in the Miss Switzerland County pageant in both 2004 and 2005; and was the first runner up in the 2004 Edelweiss Teen Princess pageant. She is a member of the FFA; Pep Club; Pride Club; the Prom Committee; and is a volunteer with the Special Olympics.
She is unsure of her career choice after high school; but plans on attending college.
— LINDSEY ELIZABETH WRIGHT. Lindsey Wright is 20 years old and is being sponsored in the program by the Warsaw Dairy Queen in Kentucky. She is the daughter of B. J. Wright of near Five Points and the late Dr. Jerry Wright; and will be a sophomore this fall at Ivy Tech State College. She was a 10-year member of the 4-H program, and served as president of her 4-H club for six years. During high school she was involved with the yearbook committee and the soccer team; and during the spring semester she earned inclusion on the dean’s list at Ivy Tech.
She is unsure of her career path at this time, but following graduation she hopes to own her own business.
*
There are eight men who are competing for the title of Prince of the Swiss Wine Festival. Candidates include:
— KALEB ROSS ADAMS. Kaleb Adams is 18 years old and is the son of Bucky Adams and Pallas Meeks. He will be a freshman at Ivy Tech State College this fall; and is being sponsored in the program by the Julia Knox House Gift Shop. He is a member of the National Rifle Association and the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association; and also participated in the 4-H program; FFA; and the National Historical Society.
He plans one day to become a fitness trainer; and also hopes pursue a career in culinary arts.
— ERIC A. BRICHTO. Eric Brichto is the son of Herschel and Sarah Brichto of near Mount Sterling. He is 18 years old, and will be a freshman this fall at George Washington University. He is sponsored in the program by Helt Floors, and following graduation he earned the Jefferson County Tri Kappa Scholarship and the Jefferson County Rotary Award. He also participated in soccer during high school.
After completing his college education, Eric plans on pursuing a career as a history professor and a writer.
— MATHEW DAVID DEATON. Mat Deaton is the son of Sheri Deaton of near Vevay and Todd Deaton of Vevay. He is 17 years old, and will be a senior this fall at Switzerland County High School. He is sponsored in the program by West Main Supply. He is a member of the varsity basketball team, and earned the award for freethrow shooting last year. He has also been a class officer and a member of student council.
Following graduation he plans on pursuing a career in civil engineering by attending either Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology or Tri-State University.
— COREY WAYNE DUNAWAY. Corey Dunaway is being sponsored in the program by the Schenck Mansion Bed and Breakfast, and is the son of Martin and Chris Westerkamm of near East Enterprise. He is 19 years old, and will be a sophomore at Vincennes University this fall. He was the first runner up in the 2003 Swiss Wine Festival Scholarship Program; and the second runner up in the 2004 program. While in high school he was a member of the basketball team and FFA.
Following his graduation from Vincennes, he will begin his career working with Morton Construction.
— ZACHARY JAMES GETZ. Zach Getz is the son of James and Daphne Getz of near Center Square. He is 17 years old, and is being sponsored in the program by Joe Getz Construction, Septic, Excavating. He will be a senior this fall at Switzerland County High School, and he is a member of the varsity basketball team and baseball team; and is the chapter reporter for the Switzerland County High School FFA.
Following graduation he is considering attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to become an aircraft pilot.
— SHANE ALAN GRIFFIN. Shane Griffin is 19 years old and is being sponsored in the program by Switzerland County Tourism. He will be a sophomore this fall at Marian College in Indianapolis, and is the son of Dana and Rhonda Griffin of Vevay. At college he is a member of the business club; and has earned the U.P. Schenck Scholarship, the Bosaw Scholarship, the Wahl Scholarship, the Marian College Alumni Scholarship, and the Scott Welch Scholarship.
After completing his education at Marian in accounting, he plans on pursuing a career as a CPA.
— CHANCEY TYLER MAY. Chancey May is 17 years old and is the son of Kathy and Reno May of near Pleasant. He will be a senior this fall at Switzerland County High School, and is being sponsored in the program by the Front Porch Coffee Shop in Madison. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Prayer Club; and the varsity basketball and baseball teams. He is a member of the Brushy Fork Baptist Church Youth Group.
Following graduation he plans on attending college, and although he hopes to play baseball in college, his college major is undecided.
— RYAN WESLEY OWINGS. Ryan Owings is 18 years old and is the son Bob and Kathy Owings of near Bennington. He is being sponsored in the program by the Vevay Kiwanis Club, and will be a freshman this fall at Indiana University in Bloomington. In high school he was the captain of the varsity soccer team and the varsity basketball team, earning the mental attitude award in both as a senior. He was the first runner up in the Versailles Pumpkin Show King Contest; and was the 2005 Prom King.
He will attend IU to pursue a career in the medical field.