WELLSBORO - Twenty-seven young women representing schools around the region will compete next weekend for the 2012 Laurel Festival Queen crown during the 71st annual state Laurel Festival.
Brigid Demko, of Mount Carmel, the 2011 Laurel Queen, will return to reign over festival and crown this year's Laurel Queen at the Deane Center at 8 p.m. Saturday.
The candidates will gather on the courthouse steps Friday at noon for their official welcome by the Tioga County commissioners and other local officials and members of the Chamber of Commerce.
Tioga County's Sadie Green Sales Jug Band will perform for the queen candidates at 7:30 p.m. at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts on Main Street.
The candidates also will ride in the Laurel Festival Parade, scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. Saturday.
The festival concludes Sunday morning with a Union Church Service on the Green.
This year's queen candidates are:
Gabrielle Schusler, daughter of Carl Schusler and Vanessa Fought, represents Williamsport Area High School. She has been in band, choir and her school's presentation of "Grease."
She was a student representative to the school board and was in student government. She was in Key Club and a peer leader in physical education. She plans to attend the New Haven University to study forensic science.
Kiley M. Lewis, daughter of Patrick Lewis and Andrea Lewis, represents Cameron County Junior-Senior High School.
She has been active in junior and senior bands, marching band, jazz band and chorus. She played basketball and softball, and participated in Glee Club and student council. She earned numerous academic, athletic and music awards and is a member of the National Honor Society. She plans to attend Penn State at Dubois to study elementary education and minor in music.
Karlye Gentzyel, daughter of Pam and Carl Gentzyel, represents Bucktail Area High School.
She was a member of student council and served her class as an officer. She was on the honor roll every year since sixth grade and has been named to the National Honor Society. She was in Ski Club, Interact Club, Environment Club and Varsity Club and worked on the school yearbook. She plans to attend college to study dentistry.
Rebecca E. Machmer, daughter of Linda Machmer and Allyn Machmer, represents Canton Area Junior-Senior High School.
She was team captain for basketball and participated in cross country. She is a member of the National Honor Society and served on student council.
She earned academic and athletic honors, including a most valuable player award. She plans to attend Mansfield University to study radiology.
Rebecca Eaton, daughter of Rob and Michelle Eaton, represents Central Mountain High School. She was a member of the student council, serving her class as an officer.
She was in German Club, the National German Honor Society, and was involved in the German Exchange Program. She helped to organize the prom and homecoming and was a member of the homecoming court. She plans to attend Lock Haven University majoring in health science.
Marley Rose, daughter of Les and Joyce Rose, represents Chestnut Ridge Senior High School.
She played tennis and basketball, and was named to the Bedford Gazette 2010-2011 All-Star Tennis Team. She was in the Key Club, honors choir, Lion Buddies, forensics and school musicals. She was named to the National Honor Society and participated in First Grade Community Service. She plans to attend West Chester University to study elementary -special education.
Joanne Martinez, daughter of James and Regina Martinez and Shawn and Jill Wallace, represents Coudersport Junior-Senior High School.
She was active in softball, track and field, powder puff football and soccer. She was in concert band, choir, show choir, and district choir. She has been on the high honor roll and distinguished honor roll and was named to the National Society of High School Scholars. She also was in homecoming court. She plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh to study mathematics education.
Michelle Mainus, daughter of Barry and Ginny Mainus represents Galeton Area High School.
She was in the Art Club, Ski Club, Yellow Ribbon, Girl Scouts, and Drama Club.
She played tennis and softball and served in the student council.
She also was named to the National Honor Society and earned the Presidential Academic Award. She plans to attend a four-year college to study business.
Cassidy Merrifield, daughter of John and Pat Merrifield, represents Hughesville Junior-Senior High School.
She has been active in many clubs, including AP Biology Club, AP Chemistry Club, AP English Club and AP Caclulus Club. She played soccer and participated in track and field.
She was named to the National Honor Society and earned athletic awards as well. She plans to attend St. Francis University with a goal of becoming a physician's assistant and working with Doctors Without Borders.
Josephine Ely, daughter of James and Lisa Ely, represents Jersey Shore Area High School. She was in Future Business Leaders of America, Key Club, Pep Club, and Spanish Extra Club.
She played tennis and participated in track and field. She served as her class historian and in student council. She was named to the National Honor Society and earned numerous awards for her work in FBLA. She plans to attend Penn State University to major in elementary education.
Megan L. Hawk, daughter of Mark and Lynn Hawk, represents Liberty Junior-Senior High School.
She was honored for perfect attendance and voted as having the best female smile in the senior class. She lettered in soccer and basketball and earned the Presidential Fitness Award. She was in marching band and chorus, served on student council and as a class officer.
She earned placement in the National Honor Society and participated in a dual enrollment program at Mansfield University. She plans to attend Edinboro University to study nursing.
Alexandra K. Isaacson, daughter of Jean Isaacson and Edward Isaacson, represents Loyalsock Township High School.
She was in Art Club, Adventure Crew, ECO-ACT, Key Club, and Envirothon. She was on the swim team and participated in track and field. She was on the honor roll and a member of student government. She plans to attend Behrend College to continue with competitive swimming.
Victoria Nance, daughter of Mary and Bruce Nance, represents Mansfield Junior-Senior High School. She was in chorus, band, jubilation, jazz band, regional chorus, all-state vocal jazz and district chorus.
She was director of the select young men's choir and the Breakfast Club, a small select choir. She played volleyball and was a student athletic trainer for the boys basketball team. She was a Youth Leader of Tomorrow program participant and has been on the honor roll each marking period since seventh grade. She plans to attend college to study music education.
Natasha Bassett, daughter of Britt and Diane Bassett, represents Montoursville Area High School.
She was in Future Business Leaders of America, Spanish Club, Spanish Honor Society, Social Science Seminar, Key Club, and Physics Club. She participated in basketball, tennis and track. She earned placement in the National Honor Society and received academic and athletic awards. She was in the homecoming court and a representative in the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Youth Tour. She plans to study biology/biochemistry at Lafayfette College or Bucknell University.
Samantha Yuschock, daughter of Susan Serovich and Jon Yuschock, repersents Mount Carmel Area Junior-Senior High School.
She played softball, volleyball and powderpuff football. She was in operetta, chorus, symphonic/marching band, jazz band and show choir. She was a member of the French Club, Art club, Science Olympiad, Pep Club, Students Against Destructive Decisions and Peer Meditation. She served in student government and has earned recognition for her musical and academic abilities. She plans to attend Bloomsburg University to study nursing, with the goal of becoming a pediatric nurse.
Abigail Tice, daughter of Barbara and Thomas Tice, represents New Covenant Academy, Mansfield.
She served her class as an officer and in student council. She was in Cooking Club, Service Project Club, and was statistics keeper for basketball. She played basketball and soccer, earning awards in both sports.
She has been on the honor roll and was a Youth Leadership candidate and participant in the HOBY program. She plans to attend Mansfield University to major in psychology with the goal of becoming a guidance counselor.
Alexandria Morgan, daughter of Michael and Debra Morgan, represents Northern Potter Junior-Senior High School.
She served her class as an officer and in student council She was a cheerleader, played softball and kept stats for soccer. She was in Biology Club, Varsity Club and Spanish Club and Government Outreach Program. She was in select chorus, school musicals and on the prom committee. She earned numerous academic awards and participated in the Tri-County Youth Tour. She plans to attend Grove City College to study biology with the goal of becoming a pediatrician.
Kelsey Rudinski, daughter of Steve and Katie Rudinski, represents North Penn Junior-Senior High School, Blossburg.
She served her class as an officer and in student council. She played volleyball, basketball and participated in track. She was named to the National Honor Society and was a Youth Leader of Tomorrow candidate. She was a junior borough council member and a student school board member. She was in Key Club, chorus and band. She plans to attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania to study nutrition and Spanish.
Hailey Lyman, daughter of Michael and Amy Lyman, represents Shippensburg Area High School.
She played volleyball and basketball and was on the track and field team. She is a member of the National Honor Society and Art Honor Society. She was in the Quiz Bowl/Brainstormers Club and earned five varsity letters. She did a semester of humanitarian aid/service in South Africa in 2009 through the National Honor Society. She plans to attend Brigham Young University to study psychology or anthropology.
Megan Zylinski, daughter of Roy Zylinski and Gwen Zylinski, represents Smethport Area Junior-Senior High School.
She was a member of Peer Helpers, Spanish Club, Varsity 5, concert band and marching band. She played basketball, softball, and participated in track.
She served her class as an officer and on student council. She was named to the National Honor Society and was on the honor roll of distinction. She plans to attend a four-year college or university.
Samantha Reasner, daughter of Karen and Brett Reasner, represents South Williamsport Area Junior-Senior High School. She was in Random Acts of Kindness Club, Key Club, Composition Club, and was the web designer for Debate Club.
She was named to the National Honor Society, was in the homecoming court and was senior formal queen. She plans to attend Penn State and is enrolled in the summer session.
Lauren E. Dalessandro, daughter of Susan Wiseman and Dennis Delassandro, represents St. Mary's Area High School. She earned letters for junior varsity and varsity volleyball and also coached junior high volleyball.
She participated in track and field. She is a member of the National Honor Society. She plans to attend West Virginia University majoring in child psychology.
Brianna Baumunk, daughter of Kevin and Karen Baumunk, represents Sullivan County High School. She was on the distinguished honor roll and was named to the National Honor Society.
She participated in reading competition, elective art and Science Club. She earned placement in the United States Achievement Academy. She played basketball and softball and was a tutor. She plans to attend Wilkes University to study psychology and criminology.
Jenna McCarthy, daughter of Robert and Jill McCarthy, represents Wellsboro Area Senior High School.
She served her class as an officer and on student council. She was in chorus, women's ensemble, and the spring musicals.
She was a participant in Connector's PLUS and is on the honor roll. She plans to attend Lock Haven University where she will study psychology.
Corrin N. Binford, daughter of Tyrone and Patricia Binford, represents Troy Junior-Senior High School.
She played soccer throughout high school, earning the Nicholas DeLauro Soccer Award, among others. She participated in track and field and the Letterman's Club.
She served her class on student council and in student government. She was named Bradford and Sullivan County Outstanding Young Woman of 2012 and has done community service work locally and in Nicaragua. She plans to attend Penn State University to study communications.
Tiffany Faull, daughter of Tammy Faull and the late Jeff Faull, represents Warrior Run High School.
She played field hockey throughout high school. She was a member of Spanish Club, French Club, and Tri-Hi-Y. She was named to the National Honor Society and the distinguished honor roll. She was first place recipient of the Turbotville VFW sponsored Voice of Democracy competition. She plans to attend Lycoming College majoring in biology.
Bryce Kenner, daughter of Chris and Emily Essig, represents Williamson Junior-Senior High School.
She was involved in Interscholastic Reading Competition, Field Show and Robotics. She was a member of select chorus and was selected student of the month for November 2011. She was named to the National Honor Society. She plans to attend college to pursue a degree in civil engineering.
For a complete list of festival activities and events, contact the chamber of commerce office at 724-1926, or visit their website at www.wellsboropa.com.
