There are eight young men from Switzerland County who will be vying this Sunday evening for the title of Swiss Wine Festival Prince when the Swiss Wine Festival Scholarship Program takes place at the Center Stage Showroom at Belterra Casino Resort and Spa.
The program will begin at 6:30 p.m., and there is a $5 admission fee. The winner will preside over this year’s Swiss Wine Festival, which will be held August 21st-24th in the Paul Ogle Riverfront Park.
The eight candidates include:
– KYLE CURTIS GREEN: Kyle Green is the son of Joe and Kaulene Green of Popcorn Ridge, and he will be a senior this fall at Switzerland County High School. He is being sponsored in the program by the Switzerland County YMCA.
He participates in track and basketball, and was a member of the 2006 Sectional champion basketball squad. He was named All Conference in basketball in 2007 and 2008; and has won numerous awards in both basketball and track. He was All Sectional in 2008; and was a member of the Rivertown Classic All Tournament team in 2007 and 2008. He was a member of a 2008 AAU National Championship team.
He was president of the junior class; and is a member of the National Honor Society.
Following graduation he plans on attending college and has a career goal of being a lawyer.
– JACOB TYLER HASKELL: Jake Haskell is a 2008 graduate of Switzerland County High School, and will be a freshman this fall at Indiana University. He is being sponsored in the program by Vevay Shell; and is the son of Darlene Morton of near Center Square and John Haskell of Vevay.
In high school he was involved in FFA, where he was an officer and participated in extemporaneous public speaking. He was a member of the varsity soccer team, earning the Captain’s Award his senior year as well as the Most Improved Award. He received the “Mr. J” Scholarship; the Switzerland County Elementary School PTO Scholarship ; and the Pinnacle Entertainment Scholarship.
He also participated in golf in high school; and was active in the Switzerland County 4-H program.
At Indiana University he plans on pursuing a career as a surgical nurse.
– JORDAN PAUL HEWITT: Jordan Hewitt is being sponsored in this year’s program by Swiss Alps Printing, and will be a senior this fall at Switzerland County High School. He is the son of Paul and Sandee Hewitt of Lamb.
He is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes; the French Club; Business Professionals of America; and 4-H. He is a member of Switzerland Baptist Church; and is also a member of Boy Scout Troop #741.
He is a member of the soccer and baseball teams in high school, earning the Defense Award in soccer and the Most Improved Award in baseball. He has also earned several Champion and Grand Champion awards in 4-H.
Following graduation he plans on attending Indiana University in Bloomington and pursuing a major in computer science with a minor in computer information systems.
– NATHANIEL REID HICKMAN: Nathan Hickman is the son of David and Debbie Hickman of Vevay; and is being sponsored in the program by Vevay Newspapers, Inc. He is a 2008 graduate of Switzerland County High School, and will be a freshman this fall at Hanover College.
While in high school he participated in soccer and track, earning the Scholastic Award in soccer for three years and earning All Conference honors as a senior. He also earned the Defense Award as a junior and a senior. He was a conference champion in track as a junior and senior, and earned the conference’s Mental Attitude Award as a senior. He hold school records in the 110-meter hurdles and the 300-meter hurdles.
He is also involved in National Honor Society; FFA; Pep Club; Business Professionals of America; and was the 2008 Homecoming King.
His goal is to graduate from Hanover College with a degree in computer science and then become a computer programmer.
– ZACHARY M. MAGON: Zach Magon is the son of Michael and Marcia Magon of Fishing Worm Ridge; and is being sponsored in this year’s program by Custom Rewind. He will be a senior this fall in the Clonlara Home School program.
He has a high green belt in Shotokan karate; an orange belt in Aiki-ju-jitsu; and an orange belt in Taw Kwondo. He is involved with the Swiss Friends of Animals; and is also active in the Switzerland County Sportsman’s Club.
He enjoys martial arts, hunting, fishing, playing guitar, singing, weightlifting, being with friends, hiking, and animal rescuing.
His career ambitions include being a musician and a singer; entering politics; or the military.
– MARK ALLEN SHARP: Mark Sharp will be a senior this fall at Switzerland County High School, and is the son of Mark and Julee Sharp of Splinter’s Ridge. He is being sponsored in the program by the Schenck Mansion Bed and Breakfast.
He is an active member of the FFA; the Fellowship of Christian Athletes; and the French Club. He also participates in STATS; and is a member of the National Honor Society. He is a member of the varsity basketball team, where he earned All Conference honors for the 2007-2008 season.
He enjoys many sports, and is also an active Christian.
Following graduation he plans on attending college with a career goal of becoming an orthodontist.
– IAN MICHAEL SISSON: Ian Sisson of the son of Rick Sisson of Vevay and Tracy Schulz, and is being sponsored in this year’s program by Danner’s Hardware. He is a 2008 graduate of Switzerland County High School, and will be a freshman this fall at Indiana University in Bloomington.
In high school he was a member of the varsity soccer and baseball teams; and was nominated for the 2007 Student Athlete Award. He was also nominated for the honor of being Academic All State in baseball. He also enjoys fishing and camping in his spare time.
At Indiana University, he plans on working towards a career as a nurse practitioner.
– JUSTIN DEAN TRUITT: Justin Truitt is being sponsored in the program by the Kiwanis Club of Vevay; and he will be a junior this fall at Switzerland County High School. He is the son of Andy and Janet Truitt of near Vevay.
He is a member of the Switzerland County High School varsity soccer team; and his interests include being outdoors, especially playing soccer and basketball. He likes to spend his free time with his friends; and also enjoys playing video games. He enjoys meeting different people.
His career ambitions following high school are to attend college to be a lawyer; and have a career working with kids to teach the values of working hard and staying healthy.
*
For the profiles of this year’s Swiss Wine Festival Princess candidates, see page one of today’s edition.