GALLIPOLIS — Ten young women from Gallia County are waiting to find out who among them will wear the queen’s crown and reign over the 45th annual River Recreation Festival. The festival runs July 1-4 at Gallipolis City Park and the city’s waterfront area.

The annual pageant is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m., Friday, July 2. It will be held on the main stage at River Rec.

Local residents can catch their first glimpse of the 2010 River Rec royalty during the annual queen’s parade, which will begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

This year’s field of pageant contestants includes Heather Caldwell, Kelcie Carter, Allie Hamilton, Elicia Irwin, Olivia Kostival, Shantelle Rathburn, Ellie Sanders, Kayla Sanders, Kristin Smathers and Mary Townsend.

Following are biographical sketches of each contestant:

Caldwell is the daughter of Lesa Harder of Gallipolis. She attends Gallia Academy High School. She plans to attend the University of Rio Grande and major in mathematics with a minor in foreign language. She would like to teach at Gallia Academy.

Carter is the daughter of Kelly and Larry Carter of Thurman. She attends River Valley High School. She plans to pursue a graduate degree in early childhood education.

Hamilton is the daughter of Bryan and Cindy Hamilton of Vinton. She attends Ohio Valley Christian School. She would like to attend Marshall University and study to become an OBGYN or midwife.

Irwin is the daughter of John and Theresa Irwin of Gallipolis. She attends Ohio Valley Christian School. She plans to attend either Ohio University or Ohio State University.

Kostival is the daughter of Jan and Tammy Kostival of Gallipolis. She attends River Valley High School. She plans to attend Ohio University and major in physical therapy or technology.

Rathburn is the daughter of Jeff and Danielle Rathburn of Gallipolis. She is a Gallia Academy High School student in the post secondary option program at the University of Rio Grande where she is on the dean’s list. She plans to attend Marshall University and major in nursing. She hopes to become a nurse practitioner.

Sanders is the daughter of Jeff Sanders of Gallipolis. She attends River Valley High School. She plans to attend Ohio State University and major in business management with a specialization in nonprofit organization management.

Sanders is the daughter of Chris and DeShawn Sanders of Gallipolis. She attends Gallia Academy High School. She plans to attend the University of Rio Grande and major in elementary education.

Smathers is the daughter of Harold and Cinnamon Smathers of Gallipolis. She attends River Valley High School.

Townsend is the daughter of Todd and Jennifer Townsend of Gallipolis. She attends Gallia Academy High School. She plans to attend college and major in accounting.

The prize package for the top contestants includes scholarship money from the University of Rio Grande and local businesses and civic groups. The University of Rio Grande will award scholarships in the following amounts, if the young women decide to attend college there: queen, $1,000; first runner-up, $750; second runner-up, $500; third runner-up, $250.

The following scholarships are also included in the prize package: queen, $750 from Holzer Cardiovascular Institute; first runner-up, $500 from State Farm Insurance and Buckeye Rural Electric Cooperative; second runner-up, $300 from J.E. Morrison & Associates; third runner-up, $200 from Holzer Cardiovascular Institute; Miss Congeniality, $100 from the Gallipolis Jr. Women’s Club.

Winning contestants may use these scholarships at the school of their choice.