Parker crowned GCTF queen

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When she was a little girl Emily Parker sometimes dreamed of being crowned the festival queen in her hometown. That dream came true Thursday night when Parker was named queen of the 2017 Greene Countrie Towne Festival.

“Growing up I was always at the pageant and I was like, man, I’d really like to be that when I get older,” the McClain High School senior-to-be said. “Last year I didn’t get anything, but I didn’t let that stop me and this year I got it.”

Parker was also named Miss Congeniality. Madeline Davis from Paint Valley High School was the first attendant and Taylor Boggs of Chillicothe High School was the second attendant.

Until last year, Parker had not competed in a queen pageant for several years. But a year ago she competed at the Greene Countrie Towne Festival, then finished as first runner-up in the Highland County Fair Queen Contest.

“I did them when I was younger, but then I got more into sports and things,” Parker said. “But in our queen pageant, if you win you get a scholarship, and I was interested in that, and I wanted to represent Greenfield.”

For winning the pageant Parker received a $500 scholarship, a one-time travel expense bonus for numerous festivals she is required to attend, a crown, a sash and a gift basket donated by the Greenfield Women’s Queen Association.

There were five girls in the pageant. At it’s conclusion, the second runner-up was announced followed by the first runner-up. Parker said when her name was not called for either of those positions, she didn’t think she was going to be named queen.

“My sister (Heather Parker, who will be a sophomore at McClain) was in it so I was thinking that if I didn’t get it, at least I hope she gets it. And the other girl (Kiersten Davis, the sister of the first runner-up) was in the pageant with me last year and didn’t get anything, so I would have been happy for her, too. And if I didn’t get anything at least it was a good experience and I was happy I got to meet the girls in it,” Emily Parker said.

But then Emily heard her named announced as queen.

“I was really surprised because I didn’t think I’d get it. But I was really happy, especially since I was being crowned by my best friend, last year’s queen Natalie Cunningham,” Emily said.

The daughter of Chris and Sherry Parker, Emily is a member of the Future Business Leaders of America, Hi-Y, drama club, Tigerettes, participates in school plays and musicals, and is also in 4-H, Girls Scouts and plays the piano.

She said her future plans are to attend a four-year university and go into the medical field.

But first she plans to enjoy her year as festival queen.

“I’m looking forward to meeting other royalty and attending other festivals, making new memories, getting to know my court members better, and representing where I grew up my whole life,” Emily said. “I’m just excited for this year to come. It should be fun.”

Reach Jeff Gilliland at 937-402-2522 or [email protected].

Emily Parker, the 2017 Greene Countrie Towne Festival queen, is flanked after Thursday night’s pageant by first attendant Madeline Davis, right, and second attendant Taylor Boggs, left.
http://www.timesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2017/07/web1_Queens-pic1.jpgEmily Parker, the 2017 Greene Countrie Towne Festival queen, is flanked after Thursday night’s pageant by first attendant Madeline Davis, right, and second attendant Taylor Boggs, left.
Davis, Boggs selected as attendants

By Jeff Gilliland

[email protected]

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