The 40th Swiss Wine Festival will crown its Edelweiss Teen Princess tonight (Thursday), with the pageant getting underway at 8 p.m. on the Main Stage. The winner and her court will then reign over this year’s festival, along with Princess Andrea Brogan and Prince Connor Osowski.
Here is a look at this year’s candidates:
– CAYLI HANNAH CHASE: Cayli is the daughter of Todd and Angie Chase of Fairview Road; and is a sophomore this year at Switzerland County High School. She is being sponsored in the pageant by New Beginnings Bridal.
She is active in cheerleading, the French Club, SADD, and Student Council. She enjoys tumbling, running, watching TV, and doing volunteer work.
After graduation her career plans are to attend Indiana University and become an obstetrician.
– AMANDA JO CHATHAM: Amanda is being sponsored in the pageant by Jeanne Richards Photography; and is a sophomore this fall at Switzerland County High School. She is the daughter of Michelle and Matt May of Levi Bliss Road.
She is a member of the track team; and participates in SADD, the Pep Club, and the French Club. She earned inclusion on the A-B Honor Roll, and also enjoys scrapbooking and photography.
Following graduation she plans on attending college and majoring in pharmacy or criminal law.
– EMILY NICOLE CATHLEEN EVANS: Emily is the daughter of Michael and Cristina Evans, and is being sponsored in the pageant by the Vevay-Switzerland County Foundation. She is a sophomore at Switzerland County High School.
She was the second runner up in the 2010 Edelweiss Teen Pageant; is a member of the 4-H program; and is a varsity cheerleader. She is a member of the varsity track team; the Pep Club; and the French Club.
Emily plans on earning her cosmetology license while in high school, and then go on to college to be a neonatal nurse or doctor.
– LAUREN NICOLE HASKELL: Lauren is the daughter of Cindy Haskell and Eddie Haskell, and is being sponsored in the pageant by Karrie’s Kuts and Kurls. She is a sophomore at Switzerland County High School.
She is a member of the varsity soccer team; is a varsity cheerleader; and is also active in FFA, Outdoors Club, French Club, and Pep Club. She is a member of Olive Branch Baptist Church and the youth group; and is also active in the 4-H program.
She is currently undecided on a career direction, but would like to have a career working with children because she enjoys being around infants and toddlers.
- OLIVIA JANE HEWITT: Olivia is being sponsored in the pageant by Coldwell Banker River Ridge Realtors, and is a junior at Switzerland County High School. She is the daughter of David Hewitt and Christy Cutter.
She is a member of the National Honor Society; participated in the sophomore leadership program; and is active in FFA, where she served as treasurer, vice president, and will serve as president this year. She is also active in 4-H; SADD; the Pep Club; and is on the volleyball, swimming, and track teams.
Following graduation she plans on attending Purdue University and study to become an orthopedic surgeon or rehabilitation doctor.
- LENSI ANNE PARHAM: Lensi is the daughter of Joe and Crystal Parham of near Vevay, and is a junior this fall at Switzerland County High School. She is being sponsored in the pageant by Parham Excavating.
She is a member of the National Honor Society; is treasurer of the Key Club; and is active in FFA, FCA, SADD, Pep Club, and Drama Club. She is the student representative to the Swiss Wine Festival board; and is the captain of the soccer team. She also volunteers at the animal shelter.
Her career ambition is to attend college and pursue a career at a prosecuting attorney.
– TYLER LOUISE PEELMAN: Tyler is a sophomore at Switzerland County High School, and is the daughter of Archie Peelman and Nicole Purnell. She is being sponsored in the pageant by Vevay Subway.
She is a member of the Switzerland County High School Marching Band, Pep Band, and Concert Band; and is a member of the high school’s Fine Arts Academic Team. She earned the National English Merit Award; and enjoys poetry, playing the flute, and waitressing.
After finishing high school, she plans on attending college, then medical school; and plans one day to have a career as a pediatrician.
– SHYLA RENEE PRINCE: Shyla is being sponsored in the pageant by the Schenck Mansion Bed and Breakfast, and is the daughter of Roseann and Robert Owens and Frankie Prince. She is a sophomore at Switzerland County High School.
She is a member of Markland Baptist Church; and in school is a member of the Pep Club; Spanish Club; and is a cheerleader. She earned the Most Improved Award in cheerleading; and also an award for excellence in Spanish. She enjoys reading, drawing, and riding four-wheelers.
Following graduation, Shyla plans on attending college and studying to be a pediatric nurse; and would one day like to start her own clinic.
– HANNAH MARIE SLOVER: Hannah is a junior this fall at the Indiana Academy in Muncie, Indiana; and is the daughter of Addam and Jenny Slover of Markland Pike. She is being sponsored in the pageant by Twisted Ends Massage.
She is a member of the National Honor Society; and while here at Switzerland County High School she was a member of Key Club, FFA, FCA, the swim team; and the volleyball team. She is also active in the Switzerland County 4-H program; and was crowned as the 2001 Little Miss.
Following her graduation from high school, Hannah plans on attending college in order to pursue her dream of being a high school math teacher.
– STEPHANIE HALEY SMITH: Stephanie is a freshman at Switzerland County High School, and is being sponsored by Golden Shears Barber Shop. She is the daughter of Susan Smith and Paul Smith.
She is a member of the National Junior Honor Society; was treasurer of her sixth grade class; and is active with her 4-H club. She participates in volleyball, cheerleading, and is also on the soccer and track teams. She enjoys playing the flute and racing four-wheelers and dirtbikes.
Stephanie’s career goal after high school is to attend Indiana University and study to become a children’s psychologist.
– MORGAN RENEE STAMPER: Morgan is being sponsored in this year’s pageant by Los Bandido’s Restaurant, and is the daughter of Melissa and Mike Stamper of near Moorefield. She is a freshman this fall at Switzerland County High School.
She is a member of the volleyball team; and is also a member of the Switzerland County High School Marching Band, Pep Band, and Concert Band. She participates in Student Council, and is a member of the National Junior Honor Society and the A-B Honor Roll. She also enjoys writing and playing golf.
Morgan’s career ambition is to attend college and become a nurse.
– KORAH ANNE TAYLOR: Korah is a sophomore at Switzerland County High School, and is the daughter of Andi and Joey Wainscott of near Fairview. She is being sponsored in the pageant by Wai Back Forty Farms.
She is a member of the varsity swim team, where she earned Most Improved honors last year; and also holds the school record in three swim events. She is active in FFA, BPA, the Key Club, 4-H, and the Junior Historical Society; and is involved in student council, Spanish Club, and cheerleading. She is President of her 4-H club.
Following graduation, Korah plans on pursuing a career in law enforcement or as a science teacher.