Fifteen girls will vie for the 49th annual Fall Festival Leaves of Queens crown when the annual queen contest is held Thursday in Bainbridge.
The pageant helps kick off the festival. There are ribbon-cutting ceremonies at 7 p.m. Thursday at the intersection of Main and Maple streets followed by the parade of queen contestants down Main Street. The contestants are dropped off at the Paxton Theatre where the pageant will begin at 8 p.m.
The festival then runs the following three days, Oct. 14-16.
The queen contestants are: Whitney Blazer, McClain H.S.; Taylor Boggs, Chillicothe H.S.; Hannah Carter, Paint Valley H.S.; Kirsten Davis, Paint Valley H.S.; Madeline Davis, Paint Valley H.S.; Chelsie Johnson, Paint Valley H.S.; Jenna Lawson, McClain H.S.; Emily Parker, McClain H.S.; Mikala Peters, Paint Valley H.S.; Kendall Pollard, McClain H.S.; Cassandra Rohrer, Zane Trace H.S.; Jordan Starcher, Adena H.S.; Kalee Wolfe, Adena/Connection Academy; Jade Hammer, Chillicothe H.S.; and Electa Seymour, Southeastern H.S.
If sufficient funds are raised, the queen receives a $1,000 scholarship and the four runners-up receive $500, $400, $300 and $200 scholarships, respectively.
“I think the girls really enjoy it,” Vicky Mettler, a pageant co-chairman, said. “They’re very prepared because we have a photo shoot and three rehearsals to make sure the contestants are prepared. I think they enjoy that camaraderie. We try to go to special lengths to make sure they feel comfortable.”
The pageant theme is Chicago: The Roaring ’20s. Tickets are $5 with those age 3 and under admitted free. Presale tickets are available at Paint Valley High School and The Lloyd Company in Bainbridge and She Said Yes Bridal in Chillicothe.
Following is a brief bio on each of the contestants:
Whitney Blazer, 17, the daughter of Richard and Sarah Blazer and Amber and Brian Iseman. Her interests and activities include band, FFA, agriculture and equine management.
Taylor Boggs, 17, the daughter of Chasity Blakeslee and Chad Boggs. She is currently a member of Beta Club, Cavalites and symphonic choir; plays softball; and runs her own cupcake business.
Hannah Carter, 15, the daughter of Jan and Lawana Chaney. She is a 10-year 4-H member, member of the Happy Valley Chapel Youth Group, and enjoys singing, drawing, horseback riding, and pet training or interaction.
Kirsten Davis, 17, the daughter of Dustin and Dustina Davis. She participates in track (pole vault regional medalist), basketball, volleyball, Cadet Corps and Color Guard, and is a member of 4-H.
Madaline “Maddy” Davis, 17, the daughter of Dustin and Dustina Davis. She participates in volleyball, Cadet Corps, marching band and is a pole vaulter. She also is a 4-H member.
Jade Hammer, 15, the daughter of Jennifer Dollarhide. She is a member of the Chillicothe High School Thespians Club and Choirs, and loves hanging out with her little sister and friends.
Chelsie Johnson, 17, the daughter of Don and Katrina Johnson. She participates in track, concert band, and enjoys writing and spending time with family and friends.
Jenna Lawson, 16, the daughter of Wayne and Christina Lawson. She participates in symphonic choir, band, competitive dance and with the baton in the McClain Majorettes.
Emily Parker, 16, the daughter of Chris and Sherry Parker. She is a member of student council, Hi-Y, Spanish club, symphonic choir, annual staff, swim team (district qualifier and second-team All-South Central Ohio League since ninth grade), track, 4-H, Girl Scouts, SALT and FCS.
Mikala Peters, 17, the daughter of John and Tina Peters. She plays volleyball, basketball, runs track and is a cheerleader. She is a member of science club and Drug Made Free Group, is treasurer for the Paint Valley FFA Chapter, and is involved in 4-H, having shown hogs for five years.
Kendall Elaine Ann Pollard, 16, the daughter of Tobby and Niki Pollard. She is involved in golf, cheerleading, softball, Spanish club, Hi-Y and student council; is a member of FFA where she currently holds the sentinel position; is in 4-H; attends the Greenfield First United Methodist Church; and is a Project Trust camp counselor.
Cassandra Rohrer, 17, the daughter of Jason and Tonya Rohrer. She is a member of drama club; enjoys music, tutoring and history; and wants to become a nurse.
Electa Seymour, 17, the daughter of Jerry and Amanda Seymour. Her activities include track, secretary in FFA, 4-H, 4-H camp counselor, and she is involved in youth group.
Jordyn Starcher, 17, the daughter of Autumn and Josh Dunn. She is in College Credit Plus at Ohio Christian University, precollegiate program in the summer at William and Mary, and enjoys Civil War history, European history, Cold War history, reading and quilting.
Calee Wolfe, 17, the daughter of Jason and Angalee England. She enjoys 4-H; reading and writing stories; loves sports, horseback riding and babysitting; participates in pageants; and loves being with family and friends. She is studying to be a zoologist.
Reach Jeff Gilliland at 937-402-2522 or on Twitter @13gillilandj.
