Tiaras glitter as OSF royalty crowned

  • By Jennifer Kneuss of The Bargain Hunter
  • October 12, 2009
  • 944
                        
With tears of joy streaming down her face, as she realized a longtime dream, Rebecca Kolb stepped forward as her name was called to be crowned the 2009 Ohio Swiss Festival Queen. Kolb, who was 2008 second attendant for Queen Renee Harding, has been studying and preparing for this day for two years. Joining Kolb as part of her new court were Emily Lappin as first attendant, and Elizabeth Guggisberg as second attendant. The three girls joyously embraced as each received a tiara, trophy, and shining silver scepter and had a sash draped across their shoulders. “I am excited and overwhelmed,” exclaimed Kolb. “I’m looking forward to this year. I think I’ll have a lot of fun with Emily and Elizabeth. I wanted this very much, and I couldn’t have done it without Renee – she helped me so much.” Kolb is the daughter of Anne Myers of Dover, and is a 16-year-old sophomore at Garaway High School. Lappin was overjoyed as well. “This is just going to be an amazing opportunity for me,” said the 16-year-old daughter of Tom and Joan Lappin of New Philadelphia. She attends New Philadelphia High School. Elizabeth Guggisberg, a Hiland student and daughter of Richard and Ann Guggisberg, was eager for the year ahead. “I’m very excited for what’s about to come. I love these two girls, and it will be fun to travel with them.” For Taylor Troyer, who was crowned as the Swiss Princess on Sept. 30, her preparation paid off during her interview. “I’m really looking forward to the year and having fun with my attendants. I was excited and surprised when they called my name,” she admitted. “I spent a lot of time studying, and it paid off.” Troyer, 13, is a Garaway eighth-grader and daughter of Roman and Kelly Troyer. Troyer’s first attendant was Kelaiah Kneuss, 11, daughter of Dave and Jennifer Kneuss of New Philadelphia. She attends Welty Middle School. “Lydia, my sister, was the 2008 Princess, and she had so much fun at the festivals that I wanted to do it, too,” said Kneuss. “I’m happy because I got to be on court with my friend, Taylor, from school,” stated second attendant Sara Lorenz, 13, who also attends Garaway. Her parents are Matt and Wendy Lorenz. In the first contest of the week, held on Wednesday evening, Sept. 30, the new Little Swiss Miss and her court were determined by a random drawing of three special roses. Pulling the red rose and assuming the title of the 2009 Little Swiss Miss was Hannah Williams, age 10. She is in fifth grade at Dundee Elementary, and is the daughter of Ralph and Jennifer Williams. “I used to draw pictures at New Philadelphia’s First Town Days, and I always saw the Little Swiss Misses there. I thought it was cool, and I wanted to do it, too,” said Williams. “I’m looking forward to the parades and everything.” The other two young ladies who chose special roses were Emily Warkall, 8, a third-grader at Sugarcreek’s Miller Avenue Elementary, daughter of Mike and Kristina Warkall; and Abigail Kneuss, 9, daughter of Dave and Jennifer Kneuss and a third grader at York School in New Philadelphia. The girls will serve as Little Swiss Miss attendants. All of the royalty will participate in Sugarcreek area events and parades throughout the state during the year, doing their very best to promote their community and highlight all that the Ohio Swiss Festival has to offer.


Loading next article...

End of content

No more pages to load