Bowersock crowned Queen Jubilee XLI

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Lincolnview’s Ashton Bowersock said just being in the pageant was such a great experience, but actually being crowned Queen Jubilee XLI (41 in English) was “an added bonus.

“Just meeting these amazing girls and the friendships I’ve developed would be enough for me,” Bowersock said, adding that she was looking forward to being with her fellow candidates during the Peony Festival and other related summer events.

“It’s definitely been an amazing experience,” Bowersock said of the pageant. “I’ve been blessed to be a part of this and to meet so many awesome girls.”

Bowersock, the daughter of Troy and Tonya Bowersock, and a talented athlete and scholar, will reign over the upcoming Peony Festival weekend in June and will also participate in other area festival parades.

The Lincolnview senior, who played volleyball and basketball, and runs track for the Lancers, plans to attend Calvin (Michigan) College and major in speech pathology. To help her collegiate efforts, Bowersock earned a $1,000 scholarship for being named Peony Festival queen, and another $250 award for her selection as the pageant’s “Miss Congeniality.”

Maddie Pohlman, a senior at Delphos St. John’s High School and the daughter of Paul and Donna Pohlman, was named first runner-up, while Van Wert High School senior Katelyn Welch, daughter of Rob and Jacque Welch, was second runner-up and also won the talent portion of the pageant with her pompon dance.

Other contestants included Tianna Rager of Crestview, daughter of Curt and Denise Rager; Mikayla Boesch of Antwerp, daughter of James and Laura Boesch; Kiersten Teman of Delphos Jefferson, daughter of Dan and Maureen Teman; Shelbe Eddington of Parkway, daughter of Neil Eddington and Shannon Wagner; Victoria Meadows of Paulding, daughter of Larry and Bernice Meadows; Makayla Ryan of Vantage, daughter of Lance and Misty Ryan; and Brooke Ludwig of Wayne Trace, daughter of Eric and Sandy Ludwig.

Judges for the event were Queen Jubilee XXIX Sarah (Giffin) Nass, Greg Homan, and Megan Baer, while Susan Burchfield also did a great job of emceeing the pageant.

Escorts included Chandler Adams, Ronnie Schumm, and Brandon Slate, while J. Richard Sealscott, CPA, fulfilled the duties of pageant auditor for the 21st time. Eric and Danille Hancock handled lighting and sound.

As they have in the past, the Little Flower Girls, who handed a peony to each of the queen contestants, stole the show. This year’s flower girls included Charlotte Hook, daughter of Cecil and Alicia Hook; Lucia Hull, daughter of Alisha and Jason Hull; Reese Mershman, daughter of Andrew and Jessica Mershman; Avery Pohlman, daughter of Craig and Sheila Pohlman; Anna Profit, daughter of Trent and Kathy Profit; Bella Wagner, daughter of Eric and Debbie Wagner; Mia Woodring, daughter of Amy Woodring; Keiley Welch, daughter of Rob and Jacque Welch; Scarlett Laudick, daughter of Ben and Kim Laudick; and Reese Helle, daughter of Ben and Alicia Helle.

Crown bearer was Aubree Mills.

Preliminary judges included Jennifer Wiebke, Bruce Hilty, and Pam Chavarria.

Pageant director is Kylee Mills, while the Pageant Committee consists of Kelly Cooper, Becki Mollenkopf, Karen Pugh, and Laurie Zeeff.

Scholarship donors were the 40 et 8 (Voiture 154), ABC Concrete/K&L Ready Mix, Alexander & Bebout Inc., Bee Gee Realty & Auction Company, Cooper Foods, Eaton Corporation, Elks Lodge 1197, First Federal Savings & Loan, Greif Bros. Corporation, Iberdrola Renewables, Keister & Baker Law Office, Lee Kinstle GM Sales & Service, Leland Smith Insurance, Raabe Ford Lincoln, Straley Realty & Auctioneers, Thrivent Financial, Van Wert Federal Savings Bank, and Wood Creations.

Gift donations came from Burger King, Dairy Queen, DeShia, The Good Earth, House of Style, Impressions Beauty Salon, KAM Manufacturing, Laudick’s Jewelry, Maurice’s, McDonald’s, Mod Boutique, Once I Was, Pizza Hut, Slusher’s Jewelry, Subway, Sycamore Frozen Custard & Ice Cream, Taco Bell, Trends/Olivia Brown, Truly D’Vine, Van Wert Massotherapy, Westwood Car Wash, Lucy Muntzinger, Kim Purmort, Marge Purmort, Renee Linn (independent Thirty-One consultant), Karen Pugh (independent beauty consultant), and Amanda Lichtle (independent Scentsy consultant).

Flower donations were by Secret Garden Floral & Gifts and Fettig’s Flowers. Pageant photographer was Brent Crone.

Special thanks went to the following: Central Insurance Companies, Collins Fine Foods, Harold Debolt, Grafix Bytes, Kim Hohman’s DanceWorks, Lion Clothing, Marsh Foundation, Van Wert County Foundation, Van Wert High School Television Production, Van Wert independent, Van Wert Optimist Club, Van Wert Rotary Club, Van Wert Service Club, Times-Bulletin Media, and Willow Bend Country Club.