18 girls vye for Miss Ripley County title

Wanda English Burnett
Editor


Excitement was in the air as contestants for the 2011 Miss Ripley County gathered at the home of Sarah Comer Friday night.

There were 18 girls in all - wanting the title to preside over the Ripley County 4-H Fair, which is set for July 17-23.
The girls arrived in their party attire and were treated to an evening of fun as they learned the rules of the pageant and made friends for a lifetime. The Queens’s Tea is a crucial event in the pageant, where girls learn about themselves, each other, and just what their duties would be should they be chosen to the Miss Ripley County or in the queen’s court.

The contestants are:

Stephanie Broadus, Rexville, the daughter of John and Alisha Broadus. She enjoys gymnastics, cheerleading, and hanging out with friends. Her sponsor is G.T. Performance Group.

Crystal Caudill, Sunman, the daughter of Jeff and Marilyn Caudill. She will be a senior at East Central High School and enjoys soccer and volleyball. Her sponsor is Virginia Franzman.

Jessica Flaspohler, Sunman, the daughter of Nick and Kathleen Flaspohler. She will be a freshman at IUPUI. Her hobbies are reading and scrapbooking. Her sponsor is Ruth Ann’s Hallmark and friends and family.

Olivia Gunter, Osgood, the daughter of Jerry and Nora Gunter. She will be a junior at Purdue University and enjoys swimming, hiking and belly dancing. She is sponsored by Schneider’s Scrap Metal, Inc.

Katelyn Huffman, Milan, the daughter of Scott and Renee Huffman. She will be a junior this fall at Milan High School. She enjoys reading, playing golf, swimming, baking and meeting new people. Her sponsor is Stutler’s Friendship Grocery.

Kristin Konradi, Batesville, the daughter of Vernon and Jill Konradi. She will be a sophomore at Purdue University this fall. She enjoys horseback riding. She is sponsored by Konradi Insurance.

Jess Menchhofer, Holton, daughter of Tom and Melissa Menchhofer. She will be a freshman at IUPUC. She enjoys trap shooting, working, riding quads, hanging out with friends and family. Her sponsor is Odyssey Full Service Salon, Inc.

Michelle Narwold, Batesville, the daughter of Dale and Anita Narwold. She will be a freshman this fall at IUPUC. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, the 4-H fair, music, and movies. Her sponsor is Narwold Transport Inc.

Jessica Osborne, Holton, the daughter of David and Karen Osborne. She will be a sophomore at Purdue University. She enjoys being outdoors, hunting and fishing. Her sponsor is Comer Farms.

Shyler Riley, Batesville, the daughter of Carl and Kathy Riley. She will be a junior at Jac-Cen-Cel High School. She enjoys 4-H, FFA and softball. Her sponsor is AJ's Auto Body.

Morgan Romans, Versailles, the daughter of Brian and Mary Romans. She will be a junior at South Ripley High School. She enjoys singing, dancing, cheerleading, and gymnastics. She is sponsored by Gold Star Chili.

Courtney Smith, Osgood, the daughter of Dan and Denise Smith. She will be a senior this fall at Jac-Cen-Del High School. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, taking pictures, raising boer goats and reading books. Her sponsor is DLS Sheet Metal & Welding, Boonedocks Trucking Dan & Denise Smith, and Ralph & Angus Meyer.

Ashley Vestal, Versailles, the daughter of Robert and Lisa Vestal. She will be a freshman at NKU. She enjoys fishing, raising livestock, scrapbooking, music and spending time with family and friends. Her sponsor is Zimmer Tractor.

Kristen Walston, Versailles, the daughter of Malena Hunger and David Walston. She will be a junior this fall. She enjoys music, horses, reading, writing poetry, walking/running, climbing trees, drawing and playing instruments. Her sponsors are Nancy Scudder and Malena and Ron Hunger.

Meghan Wanstrath, Batesville, the daughter of Jim and Sherri Wanstrath. She will be a freshman this fall at Texas A&M. She enjoys soccer, swimming, tennis and showing horses. Her sponsor is New Point Stone Company.

Sarah Wenning, Greensburg, the daughter of Paul and Sandy Wenning. She will be a sophomore at the University of Southern Indiana. She enjoys running, cheerleading and helping others. Her sponsor is Joe Wagner- Wagner Truss.

Natalie Wiedeman, Sunman, the daughter of Scott and Shele Weideman. She will be a senior at East Central High School. She enjoys track and showing sheep. Her sponsors are Cheryl Meyer and Snikkers and Peanuts.

Renee Williams, Versailles, the daughter of Delana and Bradley Sechrest and Andrew Williams. She will be a freshman this fall at Vincennes University. She enjoys reading, working outside, swimming and spending time with family. She is sponsored by Twisted Creek Farms.

The girls will have a mock interview night, and pageant rehearsal and then be ready for the big night on July 10 at the Damm Theatre in Osgood.

Mary Beth Hackman is the Ripley County Queen Pageant Chair for 2011.

WANDA ENGLISH BURNETT PHOTO
Miss Ripley County 2011 queen contestants are pictured above bottom row from left: Natalie Wiedeman, Ashley Vestal, Katelyn Huffman, Stephanie Broadus, Meghan Wanstrath, Kristen Konradi; middle row: Jessica Flaspholer, Kristen Walston, Morgan Romans, Shyler Riley, Courtney Smith, and Michelle Narwold; top row from left: Jessica Orborne, Jess Menchhofer, Crystal Caudill, Olivia Gunter, Sarah Wenning and Renee Williams. The pageant will be held July 10 at the Damm Theatre in Osgood.