12 vie for title
This Saturday, May 14, 12 young women will vie for the title of Miss PCHS 2011. The pageant participants will compete in the areas of casual wear, talent and formal wear. On Friday, May 13, the contestants will have private interviews with the three judges.
Five runners-up will be named. Each runner-up will have two minutes to respond to a question posed by one of the judges. Trophies will be given to the young woman scoring highest on the talent portion and to the young woman voted by the contestants as Most Congenial. The winner of the title will receive a crown, sash, bouquet and a professional portrait.
The contestants are Savannah Callahan, Chelsea Kelly, Helen Li, Amber Lynch, Brooke McCraw, Aliyha Mullins, Brittany Phipps, Kailey Russell, Hope Sams, Katie Sams, Sabrina Schultheiss and Khadsha Webster.
Savannah Callahan
Savannah Lee Callahan, a junior, is the daughter of Kevin and Blythe Seay of Saluda. She plays on the softball team, is a cheerleader and is a member of Key Club, International Thespian Society and People for Christ. She is an active member of her youth group and participates in the youth drama team.
Chelsea Kelly
Chelsea Marie Kelly, the daughter of Ricky and Jill Kelly of Mill Spring, is a sophomore who has participated in volleyball and softball. She is a member of the Interact Club, SAGA, SkillsUSA, FFA and FCA. She recently placed fourth in the SkillsUSA state competition.
Helen Li
Helen Li, also an AFS student hailing from China, is a senior living with Matt and Heidi Ramsey of Green Creek. Li is a member of the Interact Club and will be inducted into the International Thespian Society in June. She participated in indoor track at PCHS and landed the role of “Sandy” in the spring musical, “Grease.”
Ashley Lynch
Ashley Rebecca Lynch is a senior and the daughter of Bryan and Laura Lynch of Mill Spring. She is active in volleyball, basketball and soccer and is a member of FFA, FTA, FCA, student council, Key Club, Interact and National Honor Society. She was a member of the state champion PCHS Women’s Soccer Team of ’09.
Brooke
McCraw
Michelle Brooke McCraw, is the daughter of Jeff and Michelle McCraw of Mill Spring. She is active in the International Thespian Society and is a member of the PC Players. A senior, she hopes to pursue a nursing career after graduation.
Aliyha Mullins
Aliyha Genea Mullins is a freshman and the daughter of Alfred Mullins and Tonya Cunningham of Tryon. She is a member of the step team and Uplift, is a cheerleader, and is a member of The Polk County Youth Competition Dance and Cheerleading team. She is also an award-winning senior dancer at Dance Dynamic.
Brittany Phipps
Brittany Faye Phipps, a senior, is the daughter of David and Genie Phipps of Mill Spring. Phipps plays on the varsity volleyball, basketball and soccer teams and is a member of Key Club, Interact Club, National Honor Society, Spanish Club, FFA, FTA and FCA. She was all-conference in volleyball and basketball and is a HOBY alumnus. Phipps was named homecoming queen this year.
Kailey Russell
Kailey Neely Russell, the daughter of Keith and Tammy Russell of Rutherfordton, is a senior who has participated in varsity volleyball, basketball and soccer. Russell is a member of the Future Farmers of America and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is a leader in FCA. She was a homecoming representative in 2008 and in 2009 was named Miss Wolverine. She was just recently named prom queen 2011.
Hope Sams
Junior Susan Stanhope Sams, known as Hope, is the daughter of Winn Sams of Columbus and Gus Sams of Southern Pines, N.C. Sams is a member of student council, International Thespian Society and Future Farmers of America. She served as vice-president of the sophomore class and was voted Miss Congeniality in the Miss PCHS Pageant 2010.
Katie Sams
Freshman Katherine Mitchell Sams is the daughter of Winn Sams of Columbus and Gus Sams of Southern Pines, N.C. She enjoys theater, especially musical theater, and has been active in Tryon Little Theater/Tryon Youth Center summer shows for many years. Sams is currently enrolled in Polk County’s Virtual Early College.
Sabrina Schultheiss
AFS student Sabrina Sonja Schultheiss is active in the Spanish Club, runs track and enjoys horseback riding. A senior this year at Polk County High School, she placed seventh in the Cataloochee ski races. Schultheiss is from Switzerland and is living with Laura May of Columbus.
Khadsha Webster
Khadsha Keria Webster, daughter of David Webster of Green Creek and Janice Hannon of Tryon, is a sophomore. She is active in her church and volunteers regularly at White Oak Manor and Autumn Care of Saluda. She participates in track and field at the high school and has taken classes in jazz and tap.
Tickets, more information
Tickets for the Miss PCHS Pageant are available by calling 828-894-2525 ext. 261 and will be available at the door the night of the pageant.
The auditorium will open for seating at 7 p.m. and the pageant will begin at 7:30 p.m.
– submitted by Donna Everett