10 girls seeking Queen Jubilee XLI title

VW independent/submitted information

The 2016 Van Wert Peony Festival Pageant will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, April 1, at The Marsh Auditorium, 1229 Lincoln Highway in Van Wert.

This year, senior girls from 10 area schools, Antwerp, Crestview, Delphos Jefferson, Delphos St. John’s, Lincolnview, Parkway, Paulding, Van Wert, and Wayne Trace high schools, and Vantage Career Center, will seek the title of Queen Jubilee XLI.

Tickets for the event are still on sale at Once I Was, 121 S. Washington St. in Van Wert, and will be on sale through the afternoon of April 1. All seats are reserved and any remaining tickets will be on sale at the door the night of the pageant.

Biographies of this year’s candidates are as follows:

Makayla Ryan is a senior at Vantage Career Center. She is the daughter of Lance and Misty Ryan, and the sister of Delaney and Sidney.

She is a Junior Rotarian, student ambassador, and a member of the Vantage honor society. Makayla enjoys spending time with her family, camping and going shopping. After high school, she plans to attend Rhodes State College and major in nursing.

Tianna Rager is a senior at Crestview High School. She is the daughter of Curt and Denise Rager, and the sister of Alisha, David, Daniel, Jesse, and Isaac.

She plays volleyball and softball for the Knights and is also involved in several other extracurricular activities, including FCA, Art Club, Student Council, and FCCLA. Outside school, she participates in the youth group at Lifehouse Church in Van Wert and spends time with her family and friends. After high school, she plans to attend Indiana University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne, Indiana (IPFW), and major in interior design.

Ashton Bowersock is a senior at Lincolnview High School. She is the daughter of Troy and Tonya Bowersock and the sister of Alek and Evan.

She plays volleyball, basketball, and runs track for the Lancers, and is involved in several clubs at the school: Beta Club, National Honor Society, Agents of Change, FCA, Benefit Council, Spanish and Science clubs, and concert band. Out school, she attends Calvary Evangelical Church in Van Wert and spends time with her family. After high school, she plans to attend Calvin College in Michigan majoring in speech pathology.

Maddie Pohlman is a senior at Delphos St. John’s High School. She is the daughter of Paul and Donna Pohlman, and the sister of Joel, Chris and Kelsey.

Maddie competes in volleyball and basketball for the Blue Jays and is very involved in other school activities. She is president of the Mission Society, is a Junior Optimist, a member of the National Honor Society, and CRESP. She is also very involved in 4-H and is president of the Delphos Pathfinders 4-H club. She loves shopping and spending time with her family. After high school, she plans to major in exercise science.

Victoria Meadows is a senior at Paulding High School. She is the daughter of Larry and Bernice Meadows, and the sister of Josh and Josiah.

She is in the marching band, Science Club and an Olympiad at Paulding. She attends Paulding United Methodist Church and is a member of the Happy Bunch 4-H club. She loves to take pictures in her spare time. After high school, she plans to attend Huntington University majoring in mathematics education, while minoring in music theory.

Brooke Ludwig is a senior at Wayne Trace High School. She is the daughter of Eric and Sandy Ludwig, and the sister of Brittany, Holly, Andrew, and Blair.

She is involved with the Raiders Spirit Club and also cheers for the Celina Lakers All-Star Cheer and dances at Kim Hohman’s DanceWorks. She also works as a lifeguard. After high school, she will attend IPFW to purse a degree in dental assisting.

Shelbe Eddington is a senior at Parkway High School. She is the daughter of Neil (Karen) Eddington and Shannon (Andy) Wagner. Shelbe has four siblings: Chase Eddington, and Jack, Drew, and Derrick Wagner.

She runs track and plays basketball for the Panthers. She is also involved with the marching and pep bands, show choir, FTA, FFA, and Student Council. Outside school, she is active with 4-H and loves spending time with her friends. After high school, she plans to purse a degree in criminal justice.

Kiersten Teman is a senior at Delphos Jefferson High School. She is the daughter of Dan and Maureen Teman and the sister of Logan.

She is a Junior Optimist, is on the yearbook staff, in musical theatre, and the FCA at Parkway. Kiersten dances for Kim Hohman’s DanceWorks and is involved in the all-star cheer squad as well. Kiersten volunteers her time as a coach for Upwards Basketball. After high school, she will attend Bowling Green State University and major in product development in apparel.

Mikayla Boesch is a senior at Antwerp High School. She is the daughter of James and Laura Boesch, and the sister of Madison and Morgan.

Mikayla is a three-year letter winner in cheerleading and also runs cross country for the Archers. She is also involved with the yearbook, Student Council, the school musical, show choir, and is a member of the National Honor Society. Mikayla dances at Dance Doll studio in Antwerp and works at the local root beer stand. After high school, she plans to attend Ohio State University and major in nursing.

Katelyn Welch is a senior at Van Wert High School. She is the daughter of Rob and Jacque Welch, and the sister of Kyra, Kaiven, Keaten, Keiley, and Kemlynn.

Katelyn is involved with several clubs at school: Beta Club, Service Pack, Scarlet Squad, FCA, and is a Junior Rotarian. Outside school, she is active with dance at Kim Hohman’s DanceWorks, and with the Bunny Hoppers 4-H club, holding the office of club president the past four years. She is also a teacher’s assistant at DanceWorks and works at Northwest Ohio Trophy. In her spare time, she loves to babysit, spend time with her friends, siblings, and all of her family. After high school, Katelyn plans to attend Wright State University and a focus on pre-medicine. After she earns her bachelor’s degree, she plans to enroll in medical school to become an anesthesiologist.