Time for tiaras as 2011 Ohio Swiss Festival Royalty takes their places
By Jennifer Kneuss
October 2, 2011
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Summary: The Ohio Swiss Festival has a long tradition of being represented by young ladies who travel across the state as part of the Queen and Little Swiss Miss courts. The 2011 royalty has been selected and are ready to begin their reign.
Once again, the Ohio Swiss Festival has selected a group of young ladies to represent the festival, going into its 60th year, to other festivals and prospective guests across the state.
Three young women vied for queen and attendant positions during the September 30 interview and speaking competition. Katie Eckert of Sugarcreek, who placed as 2nd attendant in the 2010 competition, was named as the 2011 queen. Eckert, 18, is the daughter of Heather Eckert and Tim Eckert. Her court consists of Yvonne Bittikofer, a Garaway High School junior and the daughter of Derek Bittikofer, and Betsy Sigrist, 15, a Garaway High School sophomore and daughter of Billi Jo Sigrist and Tim Sigrist. The girls replace outgoing 2010 Queen Rachel Teague, 1st attendant Lydia Kneuss, and 2nd attendant Eckert.
I feel very honored to represent Sugarcreek again, said Eckert. I believe this court is going to do their best in going to every festival. Our goal is to try and make 40 festivals this year. I decided to run because Rachel kind of convinced me to give it another try, and she helped me a lot through the whole process. My parents said, you have one more year, so try it this last year. So try and see if it works out. And thankfully, it did. Eckert will have a busy year. Im a student at Thiel College in Pennsylvania, studying pre-med. I just love the field of biology and doctors.
I think the year ahead with our court, were going to have a ton of fun. Were going to represent Sugarcreek to the best of our abilities, and I cant wait to see the other festivals.
Since only three girls were in the competition, the Festival Committee decided to name Bittikofer and Sigrist as co-attendants rather than assign placings.
Im a third generation contestant, noted Sigrist. My mom won in 1991, my aunt won in 1987, and my grandma won way back. I did feel as though I should carry on the tradition, kind of, trying for it. The hardest thing was the speech, getting up there in front of those people, being confident about yourself, and nailing the speech. My mom gave me a lot of pointers. The speech, I think, I did it perfectly. I did my best. I was pretty confident about the situation. Im just looking forward to traveling and meeting the new queens and their courts.
Yvonne Bittikofer also had special reasons for her involvement in the Swiss Festival.
I ran because I love meeting new people and I love the Swiss culture. I just want to get more involved with the Swiss Festival. Our family came from a few towns above Bern, Switzerland. This is my grandmother, Jesse Bittikofers charm bracelet, from when she was the Festival president for 15 years, she said, pointing to her wrist. These charms are from all the different festivals she went to. My grandpa, Jr. Bitikofer, has been to all the Swiss Festivals except for one, when he was in the service. Bittikofer also wore a preserved Edelweiss flower in a pin at her neck, a gift from her grandfather to her grandmother, who is now deceased.
Im looking forward to going to a lot of festivals. The court this year wants to go to as many festivals as we can together, noted the attendant.
Justine Hershberger, 9, daughter of Gavin and Valerie Hershberger, will also be representing the festival.
I got the red rose, and I won Little Miss Swiss. I was excited and nervous. I was happy that I won. Im looking forward to traveling around to parades.
Hershbergers attendants are Liza Thomas, daughter of Ron and Sarah Holcomb, and Alexis Yoder, daughter of Laura Yoder. Both young ladies said that they are looking forward to going to parades and having lots of fun!
The 2012 Ohio Swiss Festival will be held September 28 and 29.
