This year’s Swiss Wine Festival kicks off for the 43rd time tonight (Thursday) when activities begin at the Paul Ogle Riverfront Park.
One of the highlights of the festival’s opening night is the crowning of the Edelweiss Teen Princess. The pageant features 13 young ladies, and will be held on the Main Stage beginning at 8:10 p.m.
This year’s contestants include:
RACHEL LEE ARD: Rachel Ard is the daughter of Shannon and Larry Ard; and she is a junior this fall at Switzerland County High School. She is being sponsored in this year’s pageant by S&S Grocery #2.
She was the second runner up in the 2013 Edelweiss Teen Princess pageant; was Vice President of her freshman and sophomore classes; and is a member of student council. She is in National Honor Society; BPA; FFA; and is on the varsity soccer, softball, and swim teams. She is also a varsity cheerleader.
Her career ambition is to go to college and study to be a pediatrician.
CHANTEL MARIE BAATZ: Chantel Baatz is being sponsored in the pageant by Uptown Pizza; and is a junior this fall at Switzerland County High School. She is the daughter of Brenda and Chris Baatz.
She is a member of the Switzerland County High School Marching Band Color Guard, and she marched in the Indianapolis 500 Parade last year. She is also plays in the pep band and concert band; and is on the dance team; and enjoys playing the flute.
Her career ambition is to pursue a career in social services.
ARIANA DAVAE BRIGHT: Ariana Bright is a sophomore this fall at Switzerland County High School, and is the daughter of Georganna Chambers and David Bright. She is being sponsored in the pageant by Heritage Hills Farms, Inc.
She is a member of the varsity cheerleading squad; is on the jayvee volleyball team; and is a member of the National Junior Honor Society. She is also a member of Switzerland Baptist Church; and enjoys running, tumbling, and traveling to Panama City Beach, Florida, to attend Bigstuf Camp.
After graduation, she plans on pursuing a career in dermatology at the University of North Carolina.
KYLIE JO CARFIELD: Kylie Carfield is the daughter of Joe and Michelle Carfield; and is being sponsored in the pageant by Vevay Media Group. She is a junior this fall at Switzerland County High School.
She is a member of the National Honor Society; the Outdoor Club; and student council. She is in band, where she is the drum major; the sophomore leadership team; and has been the treasurer of the freshman, sophomore, and junior classes. She is a member of the Olive Branch Baptist Church Youth Group.
After graduation, she plans on attending college and pursuing a degree in elementary education.
SUMMER JEWELL DICKERSON: Summer Dickerson is being sponsored in the pageant by Cocoa Tan, and is a sophomore at Switzerland County High School. She is the daughter of Bridgette Miller and Mark Dickerson.
She was secretary of the freshman class; is a member of student council and is secretary of BPA. She received the Executive Torch Award from BPA; and is a member of FCA, the Pleasant Outlaws 4-H club; and the softball team. She enjoys barrel racing, gymnastics, hunting, fishing, and shooting sports.
Her career ambition is to attend college and major in Behavior Analysis and minor in psychology; and wants to work for the FBI.
EMMA LOUISE GIGLIO: Emma Giglio is the daughter of Kimberly and Frank Giglio; and is a freshman this fall at Switzerland County High School. She is being sponsored in the pageant by State Farm Insurance, Jeni Scudder, agent.
She is active in cheerleading, soccer, and track, where she earned Most Valuable Sprinter honors and was also a part of the Conference Championship track team. She is also active in FCA; and is a member of the choir. She also enjoys riding four wheelers and horseback riding. She is also an avid reader.
In the future she plans to attend Northern Kentucky University and major in special education.
KAITLYN MARIE LACK: Kaitlyn Lack is a freshman this fall at Switzerland County High School; and is being sponsored in the pageant by the Patriot Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary. She is the daughter of Amanda Vernon and Paul Lack.
In school she is active in cheerleading; track, where she has earned numerous awards; and also the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She enjoys running, listening to music, tumbling, and cheerleading.
Her career ambition after she finishes high school is to attend college and pursue a career as an ultrasound technician.
KATLYNN MARIE PAPUCCI: Katlynn Papucci is the daughter of Daniel and Kelly Papucci, and is being sponsored in this year’s pageant by AJ’s Diner. She is a freshman this fall at Switzerland County High School.
She is a member of the Business Professionals of America; volunteers her time with ‘Northern Kentucky Hates Heroin’; and she enjoys hunting and fishing. She is also a member of the Flag Corps, where she enjoys flag twirling and flipping.
Her career ambition after high school is to attend college and have a career as a substance abuse counselor.
COURTNEY JO PEDRAZA: Courtney Pedraza is being sponsored in this year’s pageant by Old Dirt Road Candles; and is a junior this fall at Switzerland County High School. She is the daughter of Tracie Pedraza.
She is a member of student council; FCA; BPA; and choir. She is a member of the Switzerland County High School varsity girls basketball team; is a member of the track team; and volunteers with the Angel Tree program. She enjoys writing and watching love stories; and reading.
Following high school she plans on attending the University of Evansville and play basketball; and pursue a degree in neonatal nursing.
KELBY DANIELLE ROGERS: Kelby Rogers is a sophomore at Switzerland County High School; and is the daughter of Laura Wentworth and Charles Rogers. She is being sponsored in the pageant by Larry’s Auto.
She is a member of Vevay Assembly Church and Youth Group; volunteers as a cheer coach for the little league football cheerleaders; and was voted as ‘Most Musical’ in her class. She participates in cheerleading; softball; and enjoys playing the flute riding four wheelers; and reading.
After high school she plans on attending Indiana University and plans on studying either nursing or marine biology.
BAYLIE ANN SCUDDER: Baylie Scudder is the daughter of Allen and Jennifer Scudder; and is being sponsored in this year’s pageant by Schuler Farms. She is a junior this fall at Switzerland County High School.
She participates on the Switzerland County High School volleyball, basketball, and softball teams; and she is also active with the Business Professionals of America. As a member of BPA she has earned many community awards.
After finishing high school, she plans on attending Indiana University Southeast and pursue a career in nursing.
McKAYLI ALAINE SCUDDER: McKayli Scudder is being sponsored in the pageant this year by Danner’s Hardware; and she is the daughter of Devin and Chastity Scudder. She is a sophomore this fall at Switzerland County High School.
She participates on the soccer, basketball, and track teams, and in track she has earned the Conference MVP award. She is a member of the National Junior Honor Society; FCA; Checkers Club; the Student Leadership Advisory Committee; and is a member of the Switzerland Baptist Church Youth Group. She volunteers her time at the food pantry.
Her career ambition is to attend Indiana University and major in business, and hopes one day to own her own insurance office.
KARA ABIGAIL WALCOTT: Kara Walcott is a sophomore this fall at Switzerland County High School; and is the daughter of Aaron Walcott and Katee Goodpaster. She is being sponsored in the pageant by Bob’s Tack Shop.
She is a member of the National Junior Honor Society; is active in the Switzerland County 4-H program; and in 4-H she is a member of the Junior Leader program. She is also active in the Switzerland County High School Marching Band and the choir.
Following her graduation from high school; she plans on attending college to pursue a career as a nurse.