(MITCHELL) – Sixteen girls are in the running to be crowned the 2019 Persimmon Festival queen.
The competition starts at 1 p.m. Sunday at Mitchell High School auditorium. The event is open to the public and it is $2 to attend.
The queen will be crowned by the 2018 Queen Carllison Blais at 6 p.m. Monday on the Main Street Stage in Mitchell. The queen’s court of princesses and Miss Congeniality will also be named.
Those competing for the crown are:
Lisa Lynne Arthur
Lisa Lynne Arthur, 14, is the daughter of Misty Nicholas and Kenny Arthur. Lisa is a freshman at Mitchell High School. She is a member of Amnesty International, Key Club, SADD, and Tri-Hi-Y. Lisa also enjoys wrestling, working and attending church events. In the future, she wants to go into the medical field. Lisa enjoys helping others and volunteering around our community.
Lauren Nicole Beeler
Lauren Nicole Beeler is the daughter of Kristi and Mike Roach, and Jenni and Jason Beeler. Lauren, 17, is a senior at Mitchell High School. She is a member of the Mitchell High School Stingerz and a manager for the Mitchell High School football team. She is a Lawrence County 4-H member. Lauren plans to attend Indiana State University and major in architecture and minor in interior design. She is sponsored by Hoosier Uplands.
Grace Anna Bohnenkamp
Grace Anna Bohnenkamp, 18, is the daughter of Ethan Bohnenkamp and Brandi Speer. She is a senior at Mitchell High School. Grace is a member of the academic team, Art Club, Fresh Start Peer Leader, Student Council, and Tri-Hi-Y. She has also been on the track and field team for four years and the Mitchell Lady Jackets basketball team for three years. Grace is currently a tour guide at Bluespring Caverns Park and enjoys caving, reading and hanging out with friends. After graduation, Grace plans to pursue a career in education and to teach history at the high school or junior high school level. She is currently a cadet teaching in Holli West’s sixth-grade social studies class. Grace plans to attend Indiana University or Ball State University. She is sponsored by Air Masters Heating and Air Conditioning.
Lauryn Kay Davis
Lauryn Kay Davis is the daughter of Joey and Tammy Davis, and Doug and Tonya Rowlett. Lauryn is 17-year-old and a senior at Mitchell High School. She is a four-year member of the track team and a three-year member of the basketball team. Lauryn is a member of the National Honor Society and serves as a fresh-start member leader for incoming freshmen. She is a member of Fairview Community Christian Church and participants in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life and Unity Walk of Bedford. Lauryn is an avid animal lover who loves to spend time with her friends and family. She is currently job shadowing at St. Vincent Dunn Hospital. She hopes to graduate high school with an Academic Honors Diploma and attend Indiana University to pursue a career as a dermatology nurse practitioner. Davis is sponsored by The Back Porch Barber Shop.
Hayden Muriel Dersch
Hayden Muriel Dersch is the daughter of Mandi and Henry Dersch. She is a 17-year-old senior at Mitchell High School. Hayden is a member of the Mitchell High School Stingerz Dance Team. She is a member of FCA, Fresh Start, SADD, Key Club, Spanish Club, National Honor Society, Tri-Hi-Y, Student Council and Amnesty Club. After high school, Hayden plans to attend Purdue University and graduate with a degree in computer engineering. After college, she would like to work for Crane. Hanna is sponsored by The Farmhouse Boutique.
Stephanie Mae Gilbert
Stephanie Mae Gilbert is the daughter of Donnie and Lori Gilbert. She is a 16-year-old junior at Mitchell High School. Stephanie enjoys playing the piano, playing volleyball, running and hanging out with her nephew and sister. She has three sisters, one brother, and one nephew. In the future, Stephanie plans to attend college and majoring in nursing.
Emerald Grace England
Emerald Grace England is the daughter of Tom and Stacey England. She is 16 and a junior at Mitchell High School. Emerald is a member of SADD, FCA, Key Club, Art Club, and Student Council. She is a member of the Lawrence County 4-H Horse and Pony Club and Beef Club. She is a coach at Flippin’ Out Gymnastics and Turning Out Dance Co. Emerald enjoys horseback riding, being with friends and family and dancing. She plans to join the military and then become a teacher. England is sponsored by Turning Out Dance Co.
Emma Renee Higgs
Emma Renee Higgs is the daughter of Chris and Regina Lindsey. Emma 14-year-old and a freshman at Mitchell High School. She is a member of the Key Club and Amnesty Club. She is in the choir and has previously been the manager of the volleyball, track and football teams. Emma enjoys playing volleyball and softball. She currently is a team member at Grecco’s Pizza in Mitchell. Her favorite color is light purple and her favorite animal is a sloth, and she enjoys being around horses. After high school, Emma plans on becoming a teacher because she loves being around children. If teaching is not in her cards, she would like to go into the medical field because she enjoys helping people. Emma is sponsored by Grecco’s Pizza.
Alexus Marie Holt
Alexus Marie Holt is the daughter of Robert Holt and Rebecca Bay. She is 16, and a junior at Mitchell High School. She enjoys playing softball. After graduation Alexus plans to become an obstetrician. Alexus is sponsored by Lawrence County Personal Transportation.
Emily Lucille Johnson
Emily Lucille Johnson is the daughter of Brent and Nikki May. She is a 15-year-old sophomore at Bedford North Lawrence High School. She participates in the marching band, pep band and is a member of SADD. After graduation, Emily plans to attend Indiana University and study to become a nurse practitioner. She is sponsored by Bedford Ford.
Madison Alexius Mathias
Madison Alexius Mathias, 17, is the daughter of Nikki and Johnny Mathias. She is a senior at Mitchell High School. Madison is a member of FCA, Art Club, Tri-Hi-Y, SADD and vocational school. Madison is very involved in her church and teaches a Sunday school class. She also volunteers her time at local nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Madison hopes to attend Indiana University to study pre-medicine and go on to be a geriatrician saying she wants to go into geriatrics because she enjoys spending time with elderly people, as many of them do not get the care they deserve. Madison is sponsored by Tri Kappa.
Gabriela Frances McNeely
Gabriela Frances McNeely, 15, is the daughter of Jennifer McNeely and Denver McNeely. She is a sophomore at Mitchell High School. Gabriela is a member of the Art Club, Student Council, and FCA. She is also a member of the volleyball, basketball and track teams. After high school, Gabriela plans to attend Purdue University and possibly obtain a degree in nursing or become a certified midwife. She is also considering joining the United States Air Force. Gabriela is sponsored by Phi Beta Psi.
Trenady Hope Shaw
Trenady Hope Shaw is the daughter of Mariah Shaw Todd and T.J. Todd. She is a 17-year-old senior at Mitchell High School. Trenady is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, Tri-Hi-Y, SADD, Spanish Club, Chess Club and was a cheerleader for seven years. She plays the violin and enjoys scrapbooking and spending time with family and friends, and her dogs, Chewy, Hilde and Sissy. Trenady plans to attend Purdue University to become a veterinarian. She currently spends her morning at Bedford Veterinarian Medical Center through the career exploration program to learn what a veterinarian does. Trenady has always been passionate about animals and is looking forward to her future. She is sponsored by Bedford Veterinary Medical Center.
Abriona Nicole Marie Sullivan
Abriona Nicole Marie Sullivan is the daughter of Kelly and Willard Sullivan. Abriona is 17, and a senior at Mitchell High School. She enjoys exercising, photography, traveling, reading and swimming. After high school, Abriona hopes to be in the medical or dental field. She has also considered careers in counseling or therapy. Her goal in life is to help others. Abriona is sponsored by Papa Johns.
Kathryn Marie Sykes
Kathryn Marie Sykes is the daughter of Holly and Chris Thompson and the late Nathan Sykes. She is a 15-year-old freshman at Mitchell High School. Kathryn is a member of the Mitchell High School Stingerz Dance Team, Hillcrest Christian Church youth group and Flippin’ Out Gymnastics. She plans to attend the Tricoci University of Beauty Culture in Bloomington for an associate’s degree in cosmetology. Kathryn is sponsored by Fibertech.
Hanna Elizabeth Pugh
Hanna Elizabeth Pugh, 17, is the daughter of Debbie and Brian Pugh. She is a senior at Mitchell High School. Hanna is a member of the Mitchell High School Stingerz dance team and is a member of Tri-Hi-Y, Fresh Start and National Honor Society. She is also a member of the First Baptist Church in Mitchell. Hanna enjoys being outside, going on boat rides, spending time with friends and family, dancing, shopping, watching movies and camping. Hanna plans to attend college and pursue a degree in civil engineering. She would like to work somewhere close to home. She has thought about a minor in interior design and opening her own business. Hanna is sponsored by Holmes Hardware.
