The Switzerland County High School FFA chapter will hold its annual “Queen of Hearts” pageant this Sunday afternoon, February 25th, in the cafeteria at the high school. The pageant will begin at 2:30 p.m., and is open to the public.
One of the unique aspects of the “Queen of Hearts” pageant is that each candidate is asked to present a charitable platform that they would like to support. The Switzerland County FFA chapter then takes on the platform project of the winning contestant, raising money during the year to help with the cause.
This year there are 16 young ladies competing for the title of “Queen of Hearts”:
– BETH ABBOTT: Beth Abbott is the daughter of Tim and Jenny Abbott of Parks Ridge, and is being sponsored in the pageant by Pam’s Scissor Talk. Her platform is the Christopher Reeves Foundation.
She is a member of the varsity cross country and varsity track teams, and is the manager of the varsity softball team. She is a member of the jayvee basketball team; and also participates in FFA, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the Pep Club.
Following graduation she plans on attending college and majoring in meteorology and hopes one day to become a storm chaser.
- KYLIE FLOYD: Kylie Floyd is the daughter of Brandon and Kelly Floyd of Vevay; and is being sponsored in this year’s pageant by Salon 56. Her pageant platform is the American Heart Association.
She is co-president of the show choir and a member of the drama club; and is also an Earth Day volunteer; and has helped with cleaning the Switzerland County Historical Museum. She has also helped decorate the Riley Childrens Hospital for Christmas.
Following graduation she will be attending the University of Indianapolis and will be majoring in psychology.
– BRENNA GREEN: Brenna Green is the daughter of Joe and Kaulene Green of Popcorn Ridge; and her platform in this year’s pageant is Big Brothers/Big Sisters. She is being sponsored in the contest by Switzerland Wholesale Supply.
She is a member of the varsity cheerleading squad; the varsity soccer team; and is a member of the Pep Club. She is president of the National Honor Society; and is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, drama club, show choir, and is a writer for the “Pacer Post” newspaper.
Following graduation she will be attending IUPUI to study pre-pharmacy.
– RACHEL GURLEY: Rachel Gurley’s platform in this year’s “Queen of Hearts” pageant is Shriners of Indiana. She is the daughter of James Gurley and Jennifer Miller of near Pleasant; and is being sponsored in the pageant by Quality Homes of Madison.
She is a member of the Pep Club, the dance team, and student council; and is also a member of FFA. She was the chairperson of the “Red Ribbon Week” observance; and volunteered by working gates at the 4-H Fair and participating in the homeless project. She is the 2006 Edelweiss Teen Princess.
When she finishes her high school career, she plans on attending college and studying to become a nurse practitioner.
– BRITTANY HALL: Brittany Hall is the daughter of Shannon Hoffman of Florence and Kenny Hall of Madison. Her platform in the pageant is the Special Olympics; and she is being sponsored by Total Tan.
She is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the FFA, and the Pep Club; and is also a member of the varsity volleyball, basketball, and track teams. She participated in the Belterra Beautification project; and has earned leadership awards in both the FFA and in volleyball.
After graduation she plans on attending Ivy Tech Community College and begin a career in business and marketing; and then transferring to the University of Southern Indiana to finish her education.
– JILLIAN HAZELDEAN: Jill Hazeldean is the daughter of Jerry and Jan Hazeldean of Tapps Ridge; and her platform for this year’s pageant is Big Stuf 2007. She is being sponsored in the contest by the Switzerland County YMCA.
She is a three-year member of the varsity cheerleading squad, and currently is a co-captain. She is a member of the Pep Club, FFA, and the yearbook staff. She was the second runner up for Miss Switzerland County in 2006; was second runner up in the 2005 Edelweiss Teen Princess pageant, and was also Miss Congeniality.
Her career ambition following graduation is to attend college and become a nurse.
– KARA HUDSON: Kara Hudson is being sponsored in this year’s pageant by Sheila’s Haircare and Uptown Pizza; and her platform is the United Fund of Switzerland County. She is the daughter of Tony and Cindy Hudson of near East Enterprise.
She is a varsity cheerleader; a member of the Pep Club, student council, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She is president of the junior class; is a member of the Business Professionals of America; is on the prom committee; is a member of the board of the United Fund of Switzerland County; and a member of Olive Branch Baptist Church.
Following graduation she plans on attending college and has a career goal of becoming a pediatrician and also study teen psychology. She would like to work in a childrens hospital.
– KAYLA KEITH: Kayla Keith is the daughter of Steve and Carla Keith of near East Enterprise. Her platform is the Switzerland County “Relay for Life”, and she is being sponsored in this year’s contest by MainSource Bank.
She is a member of FFA; the Spanish Club; the Pep Club; and is a member of the Switzerland County Marching Band Flag Corps. Her community activities include the Salvation Army and the FFA food drive; and she is a member of the National Junior Honor Society and the Honor Roll.
After she finishes her studies at Switzerland County High School, she plans on attending Indiana University and studying to become a psychologist.
– MORGAN NAY: Morgan Nay is being sponsored in the “Queen of Hearts” pageant by Karrie’s Kuts and Kurls; and is the daughter of Rodney and Sally Nay of Vevay. Her platform in the pageant is the Switzerland County 4-H program.
She is a member of the French Club; the Pep Club; and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes; and is a member of the Key Club. She is a member of the show choir; the National Junior Honor Society; FFA; and is a junior varsity cheerleader. She was the second runner up in the 2006 “Queen of Hearts” pageant; and is involved in 4-H.
Following graduation she plans on attending college and then medical school.
– HEATHER PEACOCK: Heather Peacock is the daughter of Brigitte Peacock of Big Doe Run and Darin Peacock. She is being sponsored in the contest by the Schenck Mansion Bed and Breakfast; and her platform for the pageant is “Wildlife Warriors”.
She is a four-year member of the varsity soccer team; is a varsity cheerleader; and is a member of the Pep Club. She also in involved in the school’s cooperative school/work program; and is a SAY soccer referee and a volunteer youth soccer coach.
Her career ambition following graduation is to become a surgical technologist at a childrens hospital.
– JENNA SOUTH: Jenna South’s platform for this year’s “Queen of Hearts” pageant is Alzheimer’s research. She is the daughter of Mike and Volina South of near Vevay, and is being sponsored by Richardson Industries.
She is a three year member of the varsity cheerleading squad, and currently serves as the co-captain; and is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Pep Club. She is a member of the FFA chapter; and helps with the Special Olympics and with middle school cheerleading squads.
Following her graduation from Switzerland County High School, she plans on attending Ivy Tech Community College to pursue a career in nursing.
– ASHLEY THORNTON: Ashley Thornton is the daughter of Renee Dixon of Vevay and Greg Thornton of Vevay. She is being sponsored in this year’s pageant by Thornton’s Garage; and her platform for the contest is the Shriners Childrens Burn Center of Cincinnati.
She is a member of the Business Professionals of America; and is a member of the junior class’s prom committee. She has helped as a volunteer with the Special Olympics; and she is also active in the Switzerland County 4-H program. She is a member of the National Honor Society; the honor roll; and “Who’s Who Among American High School Students”.
Following graduation she plans on pursuing a career in the funeral home business and also work with computers, and plans on attending Vincennes University.
– CARRIE TRUAX: Carrie Truax is the daughter of Larry and Julie Truax of Madison; and Candy and John Haskell of Florence. She is being sponsored in the pageant by the Vevay Kiwanis Club; and her platform is the Switzerland County YMCA.
She is a member of FFA; the Pep Club; Key Club; student council; and is a member of the junior varsity and varsity basketball teams. She is a member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church; is a member of the National Junior Honor Society; and served as a page at the Indiana General Assembly. She has earned inclusion on the “All A” Honor Roll.
Following graduation she plans on attending college and having a career as a high school math teacher and would like to coach girls basketball.
– ASHLEY TURNER: Ashley Turner is being sponsored in this year’s pageant by Total Tan; and her platform is St. Jude’s Childrens Research Hospital. She is the daughter of Sherrie and Brian Turner of Daytona Beach, Florida; and resides on Beatty Ridge.
She is a varsity cheerleader; a member of FFA; and is also a member of Pep Club. She is involved in the Business Professionals of America, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes; and has volunteered with projects for the Junior Historical Society and the Salvation Army. She is a member of the Switzerland County Community Church youth group.
Following graduation she would like to attend either Hanover College or Ball State University to major in dentistry and minor in psychology.
– EMILEE WALDRON: Emilee Waldron is the daughter of Greg and Dorie Peelman of near East Enterprise and Tony Waldron; and is being sponsored in this year’s pageant by Tom T’s Electric. Her platform for the contest is Global Warming Awareness.
She is treasurer of the FFA; and is also treasurer of the junior class. She is a varsity cheerleader; a member of the Pep Club; and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She is a member of the cross country, track and softball teams; and is involved in 4-H. She was third runner up in the 2006 Miss Switzerland County pageant; and second runner up in the Swiss Wine Festival Princess competition.
Following graduation she plans on attending the University of Evansville and majoring in pre-medicine; and pursue a career in plastic and reconstructive surgery.
– JESSICA WOLFE: Jessica Wolfe is the daughter of Brenda and Greg Vaughn of Seymour; and Phil and Christine Wolfe of near Pleasant. She is being sponsored by Lone Wolfe Trucking; and her platform for the contest is Autism Awareness.
She is a member of the Pep Club, and plans on running track this spring. She is a member of the National Guard; and keeps busy with her military duties when not at school. She has volunteered in the preschool class at Jefferson-Craig Elementary School.
Her career plans are to attending Indiana University Southeast; and hopes to one day teach special needs children and special in autism.