Thirteen young women are in contention for the title of 2009 Gallia County Junior Fair Queen, with the winner to be chosen at the annual queen pageant set for Monday, Aug. 3 at 9:30 p.m. on the main stage of the fairgrounds.

Carissa Gilmore, 2008’s queen, will crown her successor, whose court will also be chosen by judges.

The candidates are:

• Carli Wallenfelsz (tiara sponsored by Connie, Tyler and Trent Holcomb, in memory of Sgt. Dale Holcomb).

Carli resides in Gallipolis and is the daughter of Matt and Christi Johnson. She is a senior at Gallia Academy High School.

During high school, she has been involved in Gallia Academy Key Club, Prom Committee, marching and symphonic bands, cheerleading, softball, and Congressional Youth Leadership Council, in which she was afforded the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C., to attend the historic inauguration of Barack Obama.

In her community, she has been a 4-H member, making this her 12th year participating in the Gallia County Junior Fair. She is a member of Rodney Rangers 4-H Club, currently president, and was a camp counselor for five years. Through 4-H, Carli takes part in many community service projects such as Relay For Life, volunteering for the 4-H Food Booth and working at the Beef Breeding Show. Carli is also involved in Gallia County Junior Fair Youth Board, Junior Leaders, and teaches a Quality Assurance program for market animals.

After her senior year, she plans to attend the University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College to study early childhood development.

• Amy Meeks (tiara sponsored by Leslie Equipment Co.) Amy resides in Patriot and is the daughter of John and Michelle Meeks. She is a graduate of Gallia Academy High School.

During high school, she has been involved in the National Honors Society, Student Council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Energy Team, School News Team, Mathletes, Parliamentary Procedures Team, Soil Judging Team, Job Interview Team, Envirothon, Prom Committee, Volleyball and SADD.

Amy has also been the senior class president as well as president of the FFA.

In her community, she has been involved in the Cheshire Baptist Youth Group, Gallia County Junior Leaders, the National Junior Swine Association, Health Rocks, Carteens, 4-H camp as a counselor, Adopt-a-Highway, Relay For Life, Pennies for Patients, Boxes of Love, Snack Pack Organization, and Teacher Appreciation Day.

Amy is also president of the Gallia County Junior Fair Board and vice president of the Barnraisers 4-H Club. She also visits nursing homes and serves as a mentor and tutor for her peers.

She plans to attend Ohio State University to study accounting and finance.

• Kaci Shoemaker (tiara sponsored by Dr. Bill Crank, DVM).

Kaci resides in Thurman and is the daughter of Mike and Sharon Shoemaker. She is a graduate of Gallia Academy High School.

During high school, she has been involved in National Honor Society, serving as vice president, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Energy Team, STAMP Program and FFA, serving as vice president and on the livestock and soil judging teams and the parliamentary procedure team.

On the varsity volleyball team, she was captain, MVP, All Academic SEOAL and led her team to First All District.

In her community, she has been involved in the Rio Hopefuls 4-H Club, serving as president. She attends Rodney United Methodist Church, and serves as Youth Group president and plays on the church softball team. She is also active in Gallia County Junior Fair Youth Board, Gallia County Junior Leaders, Junior Swine Association, and the American Angus Association.

She plans to attend URG/RGCC to receive a bachelor’s degree. She is already a member of the university’s Red Storm volleyball team.

• Megan Daines (tiara sponsored by Cox Club Lambs and Livestock).

Megan resides in Mercerville and is the daughter of Mike and Sherry Daines. She is a graduate of South Gallia High School.

During high school, she has been involved in the BPA National Leadership Conference in Dallas, Texas, in 2009, and in Reno, Nev., in 2008, along with Beta Club, PRIDE, SCORES, BPA, National Honor Society, National History Day, Gallia County Local School Academic Festival, FFA, FCCLA, HOBY Leadership, Student Council, JV basketball, Drama Club, spring musical, Who’s Who in English, and Who’s Who Among Academic Scholars.

In her community, she has been involved in 4-H for 10 years, along with Junior Fair Board, Junior Leaders and Ohio 4-H State Ambassadors.

She is a member of Mercerville Baptist Church, leads puppet ministry, assists with Junior Church, is a senior youth member and is a VBS music assistant. She participates in Relay For Life, March of Dimes, MS Walk, Operation Christmas Child, and the Health Rocks Program. She volunteered for Cloverbud Day Camp, the 4-H Food Booth, and assisted with the Ohio State Fair Goat Skill-a-thon. She also started the Bags of Love Missionary Project.

She plans to attend the University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Communiuty College to study integrated social studies to teach secondary education.

• Brittany Burnett (tiara is sponsored by Burnett’s Heating and Cooling).

Brittany resides in Gallipolis and is the daughter of Tom and Tonia Burnett. She is a graduate of Gallia Academy High School.

During high school, she has been involved in 4-H, Junior Fair Board, Show Choir, choir, cheerleading, Ohio Energy Team, broadcasting and Student Council.

In her community, she serves as president of the Gallia Guys and Gals 4-H Club and has been involved in Relay For Life, Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity, Swim for Diabetes, Operation Christmas Angel, March of Dimes Walk and Walk for Autism.

She has also sung at various benefits and volunteered at Holzer Medical Center and Adena Hospital.

She plans to attend Capital University to study vocal performance and music.

• Rachel Merry (tiara sponsored by Griffen and Tristen Davis).

Rachel resides in Rio Grande and is the daughter of Mike and Tina Merry. She is this year’s independent candidate.

During high school, she has been involved in FCCLA, Beta Club, PRIDE, newspaper staff, Student Council, Drama Club, Business Professionals of America and varsity volleyball.

She is senior class president and has now joined the University of Rio Grande Dance Team.

In her community, she has been involved in River Sweep 2009, Toasty Toes Shoe Drive, Relay For Life, Right to Read Week, Knights of Columbus Coat Drive, Riostock, Christmas caroling to the elderly, Fairgrounds Cleanup Day, and is a member of the Gallia County Junior Fair Board.

She plans to attend URG/RGCC to study marketing and business.

• Lauren Swisher (tiara sponsored by James Family Farms).

Lauren resides in Cheshire and is the daughter of Bill and Carla Swisher. She is a graduate of River Valley High School.

During high school, she has been involved in Key Club, Beta Club, FCA, FCCLA, Art Club, Junior Leaders, Gallia County Junior Fair Youth Board, and 4-H camp as a counselor.

In her community, she has been involved in Friday Night Life, volunteered at Holzer Medical Center, Childrens Coat Drive, Special Olympics, Key Club Blood Drive, food drives, and 4-H Food Booth. She was also co-captain of her Relay For Life team.

She plans to attend URG/RGCC to study respiratory therapy.

• Molly Moore (tiara is sponsored by Mike and Teresa Little).

Molly resides in Addison and is the daughter of Steve and Loretta Moore. She is a senior at River Valley High School.

During high school, she has been involved in choir, Academic Festival for vocal, Art Club, Art Show, Copacabana, Drama Club, Business Professionals of America, and the high school production of “Lil’ Abner.”

In her community, she has been involved in 4-H, Junior Leaders and Relay For Life. She volunteered for highway pickup and planted flowers with her 4-H group. She visited nursing homes and passed out Bibles with church youth.

She has also been involved in church food drives, worked in the 4-H Food Booth, and headed a fundraiser to help a 3-year-old girl receive a prosthetic eye.

She plans to attend Buckeye Hills Career Center to study phlebotomy and take part in the Emergency Medical Technician program.

• Kayla Smith (tiara sponsored by Bill and Charlene Darst).

Kayla resides in Cheshire and is the daughter of Thurman and Judy Smith. She is a graduate of River Valley High School.

During high school, she has been involved in FCA, Beta Club, Key Club, National Honor Society, Art Club, FFA, mock trial, school musicals, volleyball, track, basketball, prom committee, Copacabana, and scholar athlete. She was also senior class president.

In her community, she has been involved in Cheshire Baptist Church Youth Group, and is a member of Cheshire Baptist Church and 4-H. She volunteers by giving blood at local blood drives, planting flowers for the elderly, Volley for a Cure, preparing boxes for soldiers, and serving food at the homeless shelter in Athens.

She plans to attend URG/RGCC to study radiology.

• Melissa Stump (tiara sponsored by Hatzel and Buehler Inc.)

Melissa resides in Bidwell and is the daughter of Barton and Rebecca Stump. She is a senior at Ohio Valley Christian School.

During high school, she has been involved in National Honors Society, Student Council, soccer, cheerleading, volleyball, class officer and band.

In her community, she has been involved in For His Glory 4-H Club, currently club president, Junior Leaders, Health Rocks in after-school programs, Vinton Baptist Youth Group, Vinton Baptist Drama Team, Vinton Baptist Food Pantry, Holzer Medical Center Teen Volunteer, Holzer Hospice Teen Volunteer, Relay For Life, March of Dimes, Volley for the Cure, Special Olympics, Paint the Town Purple and Operation Christmas Child.

She plans to attend Marshall University to become a nurse practitioner.

• Emily Hammond (tiara sponsored by K&L Catering and Friendly Mart of Rio Grande).

Emily resides in Gallipolis and is the daughter of Ron and Lori Hammond. She is a senior at River Valley High School.

During high school, she has been involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, FCCLA, Beta Club, Key Club, Drama Club, Art Club, track and field, volleyball, choir, Special Olympics volunteer, and numerous school musicals. She serves on the executive board of FCA and has led small group Bible studies.

This summer, Emily participated in Wright State University’s Summer Scholars Program. She has participated in Mock Trial and received the outstanding witness award.

In her community, Emily has been an active member of the Back-Packers 4-H Club, currently serving as president. She is an active member of Rodney Pike Church of God, Momentum Teen Ministries and Blitzing Days. She was captain of a flag football team, plays in praise band, participated in Christmas Angel Tree, and helped with Kids Day events. She has helped with the Bidwell community egg hunt. She has also been a part of the Ariel’s summer theatre and Christmas sing.

She is considering attending Shawnee State University to study physical therapy, but is still undecided at this time.

• Ashley Miller (tiara sponsored by Pat Miller, Avon).

Ashley resides in Patriot and is the daughter of Doug and Pat Miller. She is a graduate of South Gallia High School.

During high school, she has been involved in PRIDE, FCCLA, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Beta Club, State Beta Club Talent Winner, Drama Club, Business Professionals of American, varsity cheerleading, multiple All-American Cheerleader honors, and Who’s Who Among High School Students in Literature.

In her community, she has served as president of X-treme Dreams 4-H Club, and has been involved in March of Dimes, Operation Christmas Child, Red Cross Blood Drive, The Giving Tree, Toys for Tots, Nehemiah Project, co-founder of Club PRIDE, Say Boo to Drugs, Toasty Toes Shoe Drive, Health Rocks, Bob Evans Farm Festival volunteer, Miss South Gallia Committee member, and Katrina Relief fundraiser.

She plans to attend URG/RGCC to study adolescent-to-young adult language arts.

• Janelle Parsons (tiara sponsored by Sally and Steve Stapleton).

Janelle resides in Gallipolis and is the daughter of Elmer and Cathy Parsons. She is a senior at Gallia Academy High School.

During high school, she has been involved in Buckeye Hills Career Center’s SkillsUSA chapter, GAHS Color Guard, musical crew, and a People to People Student Ambassador.

In her community, she has been involved in 4-H through Gallia County Junior Fair Youth Board, Junior Leaders, Health Rocks, Carteens and camp counselor. She has also been involved in Girl Scouts as a day camp aide leader and outdoor skills assistant. Her honors include National Technical Honor Society and State Tested Nurses Aide.

She plans to attend the Buckeye Hills LPN and Rio Grande RN programs to pursue a career in nursing.