7 girls competing for Peony Fest crown

Van Wert independent/Peony Festival information

Seven area seniors will be competing this coming Friday for the title of Queen Jubilee XXXVII during the annual Peony Festival held at The Marsh Foundation Auditorium. The pageant will begin at 7:30 that evening.

Candidates for the title of 2012 Peony Festival queen include the following:

Alex Burchfield is a senior at Van Wert High School and the daughter of Marty and Susan Burchfield.

She enjoys competitive dancing, laughing, and spending time with family and friends.  Alex is a member of First United Methodist Church in Van Wert. She is also involved in several other activities, including student body president, editor of the high school newspaper, choir, Beta Club, Student Council, Globally Active People, Service Pack and is also involved with Blessings in a Backpack.

After graduation Alex plans on attending the University of Dayton majoring in public relations.

Jenna Gasser is a senior at Paulding High School and the daughter of Roger and Susan Gasser. She has five other siblings: Brad, Greg, Trent, Mindy and Christa Gasser.

Jenna enjoys volleyball, piano, playing the violin, shopping at boutiques and reading.  Jenna is vice president of the National Honor Society and is on the school honor roll. She is also very active in choir, Varsity Quartet and theater. Jenna is also taking post secondary classes at Defiance College.

After graduation, she plans to attend Akron University majoring in music therapy and minoring in sign language.

Ashley Goeltzenleuchter is a senior at Wayne Trace High School and the daughter of Chad and Lisa Goeltzenleuchter. She has one sibling, Ruger.

She enjoys golfing, hunting and fishing. Ashley is involved in FFA, the Wayne Trace Academic Team, and is a youth group leader at Divine Mercy.

After graduation Ashley plans on attending the University of Northwest Ohio, majoring in sports marketing and obtaining her dream job of working with the Cleveland Indians.

Rachel Miller is a senior at Parkway High School and the daughter of Mark and Sally Cox. Rachel has two siblings, Derek and Alisha Cox.

Rachel enjoys hanging out with her friends and family, scrapbooking and going to the movies. Rachel is involved in the choir, Friends of Rachel volunteer group, Scholastic Bowl, National Honor Society and Science Club.

After graduation she plans on attending Baldwin-Wallace College to study pre-physical therapy, then onto graduate school to get her doctorate in physical therapy.

Rachael Gent is a senior at Crestview High School and the daughter of Matt and Storm Mercer and Rick and Melissa Gent. Rachael has five siblings, Kennis Mercer, Kylee Gent, Alyssa Gent, Elizabeth Gent and Rhyan Gent.

Rachael enjoys playing soccer, cheerleading, baking, hanging with her friends, and blogging about beauty and lifestyles. She is a member of the National Honor Society, is on the school honor roll, FCCLA, SADD, Blue Club, is a junior curator for the Van Wert County Historical Society and has been recognized for being a scholar athlete.

After graduation, Rachael plans to attend Ball State University and major in speech-language pathology.

Elizabeth Thompson is a senior at Delphos Jefferson High School and the daughter of Trevor and Angie Thompson. Elizabeth has four siblings, Destiny, Arielle, Taylor and Brayden Thompson.

Elizabeth loves to sing, family movie nights, school musical and spending time with friends. She is involved in several activities, including choir, marching band, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and SADD, and she is employed at Arby’s. Elizabeth attends church at Christian Union Church in Delphos.

After graduation, she plans to attend Ohio State University’s Lima branch and major in elementary education.

Becca Adam is a senior at Lincolnview High School and the daughter Brian and Janis Adam. Becca has four siblings, Jennifer Adam, Ryan Adam, Melissa Fallis and Stephanie Priest. Becca is involved in several activities, including volleyball, piano, writing, National Honor Society, Beta Club, Spanish Club, Science Club and she is also president of the Student Council.

She is actively involved in her church, First Baptist, and is employed at Derry Drugs. After graduation she plans to attend The Ohio State University and double majoring in finance and business administration.