The 2010 Swiss Wine Festival will kick off a month filled with activities this Sunday evening as the Princess and Prince of this year’s festival are crowned. The Princess and Prince Scholarship Pageant will be held in the CenterStage Showroom at Belterra Casino Resort and Spa, and will begin at 6:30 p.m.
There is a $5 admission charge.
This year there are 11 young women and four young men competing in the program, with the winners each receiving a $1,000 scholarship. The first runners up will receive $500 scholarships; with the second runners up earning $250; the third runners up receiving $100; and the fourth runners up earning $50 each.
Here are this year’s candidates for Festival Princess:
– STEPHANIE ADAMS: Stephanie Le’Anne Adams is the daughter of George and Connie Adams of Green Valley. She will be a senior this fall at Franklin College, and is being sponsored in the program by Brown’s Farm Implements.
At Franklin she is in the School of Education; and is also a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority and the Tau Alpha Kappa Religious Honor Society. She is a Franklin College Ambassador; and a member of the Rho Lambda National Leadership Society. She was second runner up and Miss Congeniality in the Miss Switzerland County pageant in 2007; and was Miss Switzerland County in 2008.
After completing her degree, she plans on pursuing a career as an elementary school teacher; and also has plans to work as a youth pastor or at Walt Disney World.
- ANDREA BROGAN: Andrea Nicole Brogan is being sponsored in the program by the Switzerland County Democratic Party, and will be a senior this fall at Switzerland County High School. She is the daughter of James and Rita Brogan of Florence.
She is the reigning Miss Switzerland County, and also serves as President of the Switzerland County FFA chapter. She is involved in track, where she earned the “Most Valuable Sprinter” award; and was the first runner up in the 2009 Edelweiss Teen Princess pageant. She has been a varsity cheerleader for four years; and is involved in the county 4-H program, where she has earned many Grand Champion honors.
Following graduation she plans on attending Ball State University to major in nursing. She plans one day to work on Air Care Services.
- KIMBERLY COX: Kimberly Elizabeth Cox will be a senior this fall at Switzerland County High School; and is the daughter of David and Debbie Cox of Vevay. She is being sponsored in the program by Danner’s Hardware.
In school she is a member of the French Club, where she serves as President; and is also a member of the National Honor Society, where she currently serves as its President. She is a member of the history, math, and interdisciplinary academic teams at the high school; and currently maintains a 4.0 grade point average. She is also a member of the Switzerland County High School girls varsity soccer team.
Her plans following graduation aren’t finalized, but she is looking at careers in the medical of education fields.
– JENNA DAUGHERTY: Jenna Renee Daugherty is the daughter of Rob and Kathy Daugherty of Vevay; and will be a sophomore this fall at Franklin College. She is being sponsored in the program by Pam’s Scissor Talk.
She is a member of the Franklin College art club and Optimist Club; and is also a member of the Franklin College womens golf team. She is a 2009 graduate of Switzerland County High School, where she was valedictorian of the class; and is a member of Switzerland Baptist Church. She was voted Miss Congeniality of the 2008 Edelweiss Princess Scholarship Program.
Her career plans are to graduate from Franklin College and then pursue a career in either quantitative analysis or computer engineering.
- ASHLEY GREEN: Ashley Nicole Green will be a senior this fall at Switzerland County High School; and is being sponsored in the program by Howard Hazeldean Construction. She is the daughter of Greg and Jenny Green of near East Enterprise.
She has earned inclusion on the All A Honor Roll; and is a member of the National Honor Society. She participates as a member of the Switzerland County High School varsity soccer team, where she earned the Mental Attitude Award; and is the 2010 Queen of the Ohio County 4-H Fair.
Following graduation, she plans on attending Purdue University, where she plans on majoring in veterinary medicine or animal science.
– RACHEL GURLEY: Rachel Lynn Gurley is the daughter of James Gurley and Jennifer Miller; and is being sponsored in this year’s program by the Schenck Mansion Bed and Breakfast. She will be a sophomore this fall at Butler University.
At Butler, she is an active member of the Lilly Scholars Network; Campus Crusade for Christ; and the Epsilon Beta chapter of the Alpha Phi sorority. She was a Lilly Scholar for the Switzerland County High School Class of 2009; and was crowned Miss Switzerland County in 2009; was the 2009 Queen of Hearts; and was the 2006 Edelweiss Teen Princess.
Her career plan is to graduate from Butler University with a major in communication studies and a minor in psychology and then work her way through graduate school with a goal of being a human resources manager or school counselor.
– ASHLEY POLING: Ashley Nicole Poling is a 2010 graduate of Switzerland County High School, and will be a freshman this fall at Indiana University Southeast. She is the daughter of Wesley and Ragina Poling of near Vevay; and is being sponsored by Errol Judy Construction.
In high school she was a member of the FFA for four years and SADD for four years, serving as the organization’s president her senior year. She was also a member of the Conservation Club; the Pep Club; and participated in volleyball and softball. She was the 2008 Edelweiss Teen Princess; and was the third runner up in the 2009 Swiss Wine Festival Princess Scholarship Program.
Her career goals are to graduate from Indiana University Southeast, where she is majoring in elementary education; and would like to someday be a first grade teacher.
- JESSIE RAY: Jessie Clarice Ray will be a senior this fall at Switzerland County High School; and is being sponsored in the program by Shell’s Ice Cream and Grill. She is the daughter of Troy Ray; and Shane and Billie Jackson.
She is a member of the National Honor Society; is President of the Senior Class; and is co-President of the Student Council. She is a varsity cheerleader, serving as co-captain this year; and was the 2009 Edelweiss Teen Princess and Miss Congeniality. She is the 2010 Swiss Ambassador candidate representing her senior class; and is a student member of the Swiss Wine Festival board. She is a member of FFA; SADD; and the volleyball team.
Following graduation, she plans on furthering her education at Northern Kentucky University; studying either business or nursing.
– ALLEISHA REYNOLDS: Alleisha Gayle Reynolds is the daughter of Gary and Tina Reynolds of Scotts Ridge; and is being sponsored in the program by Final Grade and Swift Construction. She is a 2010 graduate of Switzerland County High School.
She is a 10-year member of the Switzerland County 4-H program; and was a member of the Switzerland County FFA chapter, where she served as an officer. She was voted as “Miss Carhartt” by classmates; and was an officer in the Pep Club.
She will be attending Ivy Tech Community College in Madison this fall; and will be pursuing a career in nursing.
- KELSI SOUTH: Kelsi Beth South will be a sophomore this fall at Indiana University Southeast, and is being sponsored in the program by Jennifer Scudder, State Farm Insurance. She is the daughter of Jerry and Dianna South of Vevay.
She earned an Academic Honors diploma while at Switzerland County High School; and was also a member of the varsity volleyball; varsity golf; and varsity softball teams while in high school. She enjoys spending time with her family, riding bikes, and working with children.
At Indiana University Southeast, she is pursuing a degree in elementary education, and plans a career in teaching.
– ANGELA SWANSON: Angela Marie Swanson is the daughter of Belinda Swanson and Dana Swanson; and is a 2010 graduate of Switzerland County High School and will attend the University of Indianapolis this fall. She is being sponsored by Edelweiss Floral Shoppe.
While in high school she earned the “Courage Award” in volleyball; and was a member of the National Honor Society. She served as the Vice President of her senior class. In addition to being a member of the volleyball team; she also served as the public address announcer for Lady Pacer softball games.
Her career plans are to finish her degree at the University of Indianapolis, pursuing a career in radiology.
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There are four candidates for the title of Festival Prince:
– BRENNAN BRAGG: Brennan R. Bragg is the son of Russ and Jeanne Bragg of near Vevay. He is a 2010 graduate of Switzerland County High School, and will be a freshman this fall at Transylvania University. He is being sponsored by The German Corner.
He earned a spot in the “Indiana Top 100 Showcase” for basketball; and in basketball earned the field goal percentage award, the rebound award, and was the MVP of the Union County Tournament. He earned inclusion on the All Sectional team; the B. Merritt All Tourney team; and the Rivertown Classic All Tourney team. He was a part of the Adidas “Top 150 Phenom” camp; and was judged as one of the top 60 senior basketball players in Indiana this season.
Attending Transylvania, he will study pre-law with a goal of earning a law degree at either Indiana University or IUPUI.
– JORDAN HEWITT: Jordan Paul Hewitt will be a sophomore this fall at Indiana University Southeast, and is being sponsored in the program by Danner’s Hardware. He is the son of Paul and Sandee Hewitt of Lamb.
He is a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity; was a 10-year member of the Switzerland County 4-H program; and is a member of Switzerland Baptist Church. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout; and in high school played on the soccer and baseball teams.
At Indiana University Southeast he is pursuing a degree in computer science; and plans a career in the information technology field.
– JEFF MULLINS: Jeff John Mullins is a 2010 graduate of Switzerland County High School; and is being sponsored in the program by the Schenck Mansion Bed and Breakfast. He is the son of Jeff and Jessica Mullins of Jackson Lane.
He has been active in the Switzerland County 4-H program, earning champion honors in entomology, Reserve Grand Champion in plant science; and a blue ribbon in wildlife. He is involved in the Indian Creek Watershed Project; participated in FFA and French Club; and was a member of the varsity soccer and golf teams while in high school.
Capitalizing on his interest in science, he plans to pursue a career in geophysics or physics.
- DAMON ROBBINS: Damon Allen Robbins will be a senior this fall at Switzerland County High School, and is being sponsored in the program by Mo’s Steakhouse. He is the son of Mark and Charity Robbins of near Pleasant.
He is the President of the Spanish Club and a member of the Pep Club; was a member of the Prom Committee; and attended Hoosier Boys State this summer. As a sophomore he was selected to be a part of a Sophomore Leadership Conference; earned his Microsoft Certification in Powerpoint; and is a member of the basketball and cross country teams.
His career ambition is to be a sports radio personality on ESPN radio.