GALLIPOLIS — Ten young women are candidates for the title of 2009 River Recreation Festival Queen when the festival kicks off next week.

The queen pageant will be 8 p.m. Thursday, July 2 on the Main Stage at the Gallipolis parkfront, the festival location since its inception in 1966.

The candidates are Brianna Smith, Amanda Jarvis, Lindsey Johnson, Brittany Chapman, Alisa Johnson, Amber Gilbert, Hailee Swain, Molly Carroll, Carly Atkins and Savanna Hatfield.

About the candidates:

Brianna Smith is the daughter of Cami and Mike Smith.

She is a senior at River Valley High School, where she has participated in several activities, including softball, student government, serving as vice president, student council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, serving as an executive board member, National Beta Club, Key Club, Powder Puff football captain, FCCLA and the Art Club.

Her volunteer and community involvement includes being a member of White Oak Baptist Church, Relay For Life, Red Cross blood drive, March of Dimes, Toys for Tots, trick or treat for UNICEF, Christmas cards for veterans, HOPE Intervention softball, Christmas caroling at nursing homes, rummage sale for Shriners Hospitals and 4-H secretary/vice president.

Brianna plans to become a pharmacist.

Amanda Jarvis is the daughter of Gary and Suzanne Jarvis.

She is a senior at Gallia Academy High School. She has participated in several extracurricular activities, including cheerleading, volleyball, concert choir and student council.

Her volunteer and community activities include YMCA tumbling, Servathon, March of Dimes walkathon, Christmas Shoe Box and Brittany’s prom fashion show.

Amanda plans to pursue a degree in radiology.

Lindsey Johnson is the daughter of Rick and Patrice Johnson. She is a senior at South Gallia High School, where she has participated in several activities, including basketball junior varsity and varsity, Beta Club as president, PRIDE Club, FCCLA, varsity cheerleading, regional and state History Day, and newspaper staff.

Her volunteer and community involvement includes 4-H, Bags of Love, Say Boo to Drugs, Red Cross blood drive, intergenerational program, Relay For Life, Toasty Toes, acting at the Ariel Theatre, a member of Mercerville Baptist Church, Mercerville’s senior youth group, nursery worker at church, prom dress drive for the Golden Girls, and Shoe Box Ministries.

Lindsey plans to attend Marshall University, majoring in ultrasound.

Brittany Chapman is the daughter of Terry and Donna Chapman.

She is a senior at SGHS, where she has participated in several activities, including varsity cheerleading, SCORE, student council as vice president and secretary, PRIDE, class officer-treasurer/secretary, a coach for Xtreme Cheernastics, power tumbling team and FCCLA.

Her volunteer and community involvement includes being an assistant coach, participating in a blood drive, Toasty Toes, MADD, River Sweep, March of Dimes, Adopt-a-Highway, and a walk for breast cancer.

Brittany plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in accounting, with a minor in business marketing.

Alisa Johnson is the daughter of Andrea Johnson-Bailey and John Johnson Jr.

She is a senior at SGHS, where she has participated in several activities, including volleyball junior varsity and varsity, FCCLA, Academic Festival, SCORES, Southeastern Ohio Volleyball Club, Crown City Volleyball Club, Business Professionals of America, PRIDE, and served as student council treasurer.

Her volunteer and community involvement includes church camp counselor, CAO Head Start, Say Boo to Drugs, planting flowers, serving food to homeless, assistant Crown City Volleyball Club, Central Church of the Nazarene child care, Red Cross blood drive, member of Kings Chapel Church, Secret Santa, March of Dimes, member of NYI Youth Group, member of the Central Church of the Nazarene ladies group, MADD and the Little Victories fundraiser marathon.

Alisa plans to major in entrepreneurship with a minor in photography.

Amber Gilbert is the daughter of Jerri and the late Janes Gilbert.

She is a senior at RVHS, where she has participated in several activities, including Beta Club, Key Club, FCA, Powder Puff football, French Club, Art Club, Drama Club, student council and SADD.

Her volunteer and community involvement include blood drive assistant, Relay For Life, Toys for Tots, Operation Christmas Child, walker for St. Jude’s, March of Dimes, volunteer at Holzer Assisted Living, Angel Tree shopping, Bob Evans Farm Festival, trick or treat for UNICEF and senior citizens prom.

Amber plans to attend Hocking College to earn a degree in nursing. She is currently employed at Kmart in Gallipolis.

Hailee Swain is the daughter of Billy and Tabby Swain.

She is a senior at SGHS, where she has participated in several activities, including basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, Beta Club, National Honor Society, PRIDE, National History Day, SCORES, class officer-vice president, student council activities president, Business Professionals of America, and the volleyball club.

Her volunteer and community involvement include 4-H, junior volleyball helper, Relay For Life, Mercerville Baptist Church nursery, Mercerville Baptist Junior Church helper, Toasty Toes shoe drive, Operation Christmas Child shoebox, Toys for Tots, intergenerational program, CATS program, Snack Pack program, member of Mercerville Baptist Church, ROCK SOLID senior youth group, MADD, MS Walk and Say Boo to Drugs.

Hailee plans to attend Marshall University and major in X-ray technology. She is currently employed at Mercerville Convenience.

Molly Carroll is the daughter of John and Karla Carroll.

She is a senior at GAHS, where she has participated in several activities, including Marching and Symphonic Band, volleyball, basketball, track and field, Key Club, FCA and National Honor Society.

Her volunteer and community involvement include attending Elizabeth Chapel Church, singing at nursing homes, Relay For Life, autism walk/raise awareness, autism sensory camp, trick or treat for UNICEF, Red Cross blood drive, Toys for Tots, 4-H, road clean-up, Elizabeth Chapel puppeteer ministry, Christmas toy drive, and Vacation Bible School/Super Saturday.

Molly plans to attend the University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College, majoring in radiology.

Carly Atkins is the daughter of Greg Atkins and Heather Robinson.

She is a senior at GAHS, where she participates in several activities, including National Honor Society, Madrigals, cheerleading, Key Club as the bulletin editor, yearbook staff editor, peer tutoring and tennis.

Her volunteer and community involvement includes nursing home signing, 4-H, Wing Haven Women’s Shelter, Ohio Valley Physicians, trick or treat for UNICEF, Vacation Bible School worker, Relay For Life, March of Dimes, church choir and MS Walk.

Carly’s major is undecided at this time. She is currently employed at Bennigan’s.

Savanna Hatfield is the daughter of Carrie Harmon.

She is a senior at SGHS, where she has participated in several activities, including track and field as a thrower, FCCLA and prom committee.

Her volunteer and community involvement includes Red Cross blood drive, fundraiser for prom and a member of FCCLA helping with community efforts.

Savanna plans to attend Hocking College and major in massage therapy.