The 2009 Swiss Wine Festival will be held from August 27th-30th, but a month filled with activities kicks off this Sunday night when the Prince and Princess Scholarship Program is held in the CenterStage Showroom at Belterra Casino Resort and Spa.
The program is set to begin at 6:30 p.m.; and there is a $5 charge at the door.
This year there are 11 young ladies vying for the title of Princess of the Swiss Wine Festival, and winning the program also means a $1,000 scholarship. The first runner up in the program will receive a $500 scholarship; the second runner up will receive a $250 scholarship; the third runner up will receive a $100 scholarship; and the fourth runner up will receive a $50 scholarship.
This year’s contestants include:
– ASHLEY MICHELE BRIGHT: Ashley Bright is the daughter of Georganna Chambers of Vevay; and is being sponsored in the program by Heritage Hill Farms.
She will be a junior this fall at Manchester College, where is has been a member of the Psychological Society for the past two years. She was the 2006 Edelweiss Teen Princess; and the first runner up in the 2005 Edelweiss Teen Princess pageant.
In high school she was a member of the varsity basketball team; where she was All Conference in 2006 and 2007; was the second runner up for Homecoming Queen; and was a member of the Prom court.
Her career plans are to work in a psychological setting where she can help people overcome stressful issues.
– KIMBERLY ELIZABETH COX: Kim Cox is being sponsored in this year’s pageant by Danner’s Hardware; and is the daughter of David and Debbie Cox of Vevay. She will be a junior this fall at Switzerland County High School.
She is a member of the National Honor Society; is President of the French Club; and is also the treasurer of the Junior Historical Society. She maintains a perfect 4.0 grade point average. She is a member of the varsity soccer team; the junior varsity softball team; and is a volunteer for the SAY Soccer Association.
Following graduation she plans on attending college and pursuing a career as a teacher.
– ASHLEY NICOLE GREEN: Ashley Green is the daughter of Greg and Jenny Green of McCreary’s Ridge; and is being sponsored in the pageant by The Mustard Lady. She will be a junior this fall at Switzerland County High School.
She has earned ‘All A’ awards in Spanish, science, and geography; is a member of the National Honor Society; was the second runner up in the 2008 Edelweiss Teen Princess pageant; and was the first runner up in the Ohio County 4-H Ambassador Contest.
She is a member of the soccer and softball teams at the high school; and enjoys spending time with her friends.
Following graduation she plans on attending Purdue University and pursue a career in physical therapy.
– KAITLYNN MARIE HALL: Katie Hall is the daughter of Shauna Wiley of near Vevay and Bruce Hall of Vevay, and is being sponsored in this year’s pageant by the River House Bar and Grill. She will be a senior this fall at Switzerland County High School.
She is a member of the track team, where she earned the Mental Attitude award her freshman year; and was Miss Congeniality of the 2007 Swiss Wine Festival Edelweiss Teen Princess Pageant. She is a member of the Switzerland County FFA; French Club; Pep Club; and was also Miss Congeniality of the 2009 Switzerland County 4-H Fair pageant.
Following graduation from high school she plans on attending college to become an anesthesiologist.
– BAYLIE D. JUDY: Baylie Judy will be a senior this fall at Switzerland County High School; and she is the daughter of Rob and Shannon Judy of Shiloh Road. She is being sponsored in the pageant by West Main Supply.
She is the co-captain of the varsity cheerleading squad; and is also the Vice President of the student council. She is a four year member of the French Club; a four year member of the Pep Club; and is a member of the National Honor Society.
After graduation from Switzerland County High School, she plans on attending the University of Southern Indiana to pursue a career as a sound technician.
– ALLEISHA GAYLE PALASTRO: Alleisha Palastro is being sponsored in this year’s pageant by Belle River Lodge #327; and will be a senior this fall at Switzerland County High School. She is the daughter of Gary and Tina Reynolds of Scotts Ridge.
She was a contestant in the 2009 “Queen of Hearts” pageant and the 2009 Miss Switzerland County pageant; and is active in FFA; 4-H; the Fellowship of Christian Athletes; and the Pep Club. She currently works as a cashier at the Vevay SuperValu; and she enjoys photography and scrapbooking.
Following graduation from Switzerland County High School, she plans on attending college and will pursue a career in nursing.
– ASHLEY NICOLE POLING: Ashley Poling is the daughter of Wesley and Ragina Poling of Vevay; and is being sponsored in this year’s contest by Errol Judy Construction. She will be a senior this fall at Switzerland County High School.
She is the reigning Edelweiss Teen Princess; and at school she is a four year member of the FFA; a four year member of the Pep Club; and a two year member of the Yearbook staff. She assists with the FFA’s “Homeless Project”; serves on the Prom Committee; and is a member of the varsity volleyball and softball teams. She is a member of the National Junior Honor Society.
Following graduation she plans on attending Indiana University Southeast with a career goal of either elementary education or as a physical therapist assistant working with children.
– KAITLYNN MICHELLE RAYLS: Katie Rayls is being sponsored in this year’s pageant by Brown’s Farm Equipment; and is the granddaughter of Darrell and Jeannie Thurnall of Moorefield. She is a 2009 graduate of Switzerland County High School; and will be a freshman this fall at the College of Mount St. Joseph.
She is a member of the Olive Branch Baptist Church youth group; and in high school she was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes; FFA; Prayer Club; and Business Professionals of America. She participated on the varsity volleyball, basketball, and track teams while in high school; and was the third runner up in the 2005 Edelweiss Teen Princess pageant; the second runner up in the 2007 Edelweiss Teen Princess pageant; and the second runner up in the 2008 Edelweiss Princess pageant.
She is attending the College of Mount St. Joseph to pursue a degree in elementary education with an emphasis in coaching.
– SHAYLA SMITH: Shayla Smith is the daughter of Betty and Steve Gifford of Pleasant Grove Road, and Troy Smith; and will be a senior this fall at Switzerland County High School. She is being sponsored in the pageant by Gifford Farms.
She was the first runner up in the 2009 Miss Switzerland County pageant; is President of Student Council; and served as the secretary of the junior class. She is a member of the cheerleading squad; the volleyball team; Pep Club; Business Professionals of America; student council; FFA; and National Honor Society. She has earned certificates of appreciation from Extendicare and Swiss Villa; and also a community service award from Swiss Villa and the high school.
Following graduation she plans on attending The Ohio State University and major in communication technology.
– JENNA MARIE SOUTH: Jenna South is being sponsored in this year’s pageant by Richardson Industries; and is the daughter of Mike and Volina South of Vevay. She is a sophomore at Ivy Tech Community College.
She was the fourth runner up in the 2006 Swiss Wine Festival Princess Scholarship pageant; and was the fourth runner up in the 2005 “Queen of Hearts” pageant at Switzerland County High School. She enjoys making homemade scrapbooks and playing with her niece and nephew.
At Ivy Tech Community College she is pursuing a degree in business.
– MARY CARRINGTON TRUAX: Carrie Truax is the daughter of Larry and Julie Truax of Madison and Candy and John Haskell of Vevay. She will be a senior this fall at Switzerland County High School, and is being sponsored in the pageant by the Kiwanis Club of Vevay.
She is active in the FFA, where she will serve as Vice President of the chapter this year, as well as the District 12 Reporter. She was a presenter when the chapter won the National “Models of Innovation” award; and was a participant in the Brazilian Exchange program. She is active in the Key Club, serving as President this year; and is the treasurer of the National Honor Society. She is a member of the varsity basketball team.
She was the 2007 Edelweiss Teen Princess; the first runner up in the 2008 Edelweiss Princess pageant; and was a delegate to Hoosier Girls State.
Following graduation she plans on attending college to pursue a career in communications with a minor in political science.