7 candidates seek 2015 Peony Queen title

VW independent/submitted information

Seven young high school seniors will represent their schools and communities in their quest for the title of Queen Jubilee XL during the 2015 Peony Festival Pageant. This year’s event will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, April 10, at the Marsh Foundation Auditorium.

This year’s Peony Pageant participants include the following:

Bailey Krol, who represents Vantage Career Center, is the daughter of Leslie and Rob Moser and Jason and Niki Krol. She has four siblings: Seth Moser, Ashley Moser, Macee Krol and Dodger Krol.

Krol is employed by Mod Boutique and also teaches at The Bachwell. She is involved in FCCLA, and French and Drama clubs. She enjoys shopping and going to the movies with her friends.

After graduation, she will attend the Art Institute in Cincinnati majoring in animation and media art.

Taylor Hughes, who represents Crestview High School, is the daughter of Brad and Susan Hughes and has a sister, Katie. She is active with 4-H and is currently the 4-H Exchange Club president. Hughes is also president of her church youth group. At school she is involved in pep, marching and concert bands, is president of the FCCLA, is a member of Knight Vision and the National Honor Society and is a teacher’s aide.

She enjoys going to sporting events, the movies with her friends and shopping. After graduation, Hughes plans to attend the University of Cincinnati majoring in special education.

Mackenzie Alba, representing Van Wert High School, is the daughter of Armando and Deborah Alba, and her siblings are James, Tony, Tanya and Amanda.

Alba enjoys dancing at Kim Hohman’s DanceWorks and she also is a captain of the VWHS cheerleading squad. She is involved in several activities at her school and is treasurer for FCCLA, secretary of the National Honor Society, Student Council secretary, is a member of Beta Club and FCA and is a Junior Rotarian.

In her spare time she enjoys reading and watching movies. After graduation she plans on majoring in mathematics at either Ohio State University or Ball State University.

Baylee Neate, representing Lincolnview High School, is the daughter of Brent and Deb Neate, and has two siblings, Trevor and Dylan. She is a 4-H camp counselor and is employed at Maurice’s.

Neate is also involved in several activities at her school, including club volleyball, softball, National Honor Society, class treasurer, FCA, is a student leader and on the yearbook staff.

In her spare time, she enjoys being with her family and friends and going to the movies. After graduation Neate will attend Ohio State University and major in real estate and urban analysis.

Rachel Green, representing Parkway High School, is the daughter of Carl and Kimberly Green and her siblings are Carl Jr., Alex, Logan and Jaden.

Green enjoys playing the piano, cheerleading, choir and band. She is involved with Youth for Christ and is a member of the Foreign Language and Drama clubs. On the weekends she likes to spend time with her friends and have dinner with her family. After graduation, Green will attend the University of St. Francis and major in exercise science.

Schylar Miller, representing Spencerville High School, is the daughter of Keith and Melissa Miller, and she has three siblings, Taylor, Mackenzie and Colton.

Miller is very active in her church, St. John’s in Lima. At school, she runs cross country and track, plays volleyball and basketball. She is president of SADD, Student Council, and FCA and vice president of the National Honor Society. In her spare time she enjoys watching movies and spending time with her family. After graduation, Miller will attend the University of Findlay majoring in nursing.

Laurel Wehrkamp, representing Paulding High School, is the daughter of Terry and Nancy Wehrkamp and she has two siblings, Michael and Connie. Wehrkamp is involved in her church choir at Divine Mercy and also takes piano lessons. At school, she is the Student Council president, a science Olympiad, a member of the National Honor Society, in the Varsity Women’s Quartet, and the marching band. On weekends she likes to go with her friends to the movies. After graduation, she will attend Ohio State University and major in communication and public relations.

Tickets are now on sale at Once I Was, 121 S. Washington St. in Van Wert. Cost of tickets is $8 apiece.