Nine young women will compete for the title Miss Rowan County Veteran during this year’s Faith Fourth of July festivities. The winner will be crowned July 4 following the parade.
The contestants are:
• Shannon Elrod, 20, daughter of Timothy and Teresa Elrod of Salisbury. She attends the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and represents AMVETS Post 845, Rockwell. A member of First Baptist Church of Rockwell, she enjoys drawing, exercising, photography and camping. She plans to become a high school art teacher.
• Amber N. Holloway, daughter of Mary Bowden of Salisbury, will represent J.C. Price American Legion Post 107. A rising senior at West Rowan High School, she was all-county, all-conference and all-state in track and was the 3A 300 hurdle champion. She made the honor roll and plans to attend UNC to become a nurse. She was involved in AAU basketball and track and haw won numerous honors for her track skills.
• Taylor Leigh Honeycutt, representing Harold B. Jarrett Post 342, is a graduate of East Rowan High School, where she played varsity volleyball an basketball and ran track. A junior marshal, Civitan and Scholar Athlete, she plans to attend UNC-Charlotte to study pediatric nursing. She was vice president of Junior Civitan, secretary of NHS and a YCL leader, among other activities. She went on two mission trips to Tennessee.
• Chelsea Ashtyn Lyerly, representing Livengood-Peeler-Wood Post 448, she is the daughter of Becky and Chris Lyerly of Salisbury. A graduate of East Rowan High School, she was involved in cheerleading and made the honor roll. She was also a member of Junior Civitan and the American Legion Auxiliary. She is studying at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College to earn a cosmetology license, with plans for a business degree.
• Precious McIntyre, a rising junior at Carson High School, will represent American Legion Post 185. She is the daughter of Terry Waller and Bobby Waller of Rockwell. A participant in track and tennis, she is a member of the drama club and Heath Occupation Science Association. She plans to be an anesthesiologist and is involved in her church.
• Layla Oakley, daughter of Gary and Nina Oakley of China Grove, will represent AMVETS Post 565. A rising junior at South Rowan High School, she lettered in academics as a freshman and is interested in dance. She is on the high school drill team. She plans to go to college and become a cosmetologist. Involved in her church, she is president of the youth group.
• Morgan Grace Rodgers will represent Kennedy-Hall American Legion Post 106. A rising senior at South Rowan High School, she is the daughter of Barry and Shannon Rodgers of China Grove. She is a member of the swim team, student government, American Patriots Society, Junior Civitans, HOSA and Spanish Clubs. She plans to get a degree in neo-natal nursing. She has been a junior auxiliary member of Kenney-Hall for five years. She attends Grace Lutheran Church, where she recently held a blood drive.
• Madison Taylor Sides, a rising junior at South Rowan High School, will represent Landis American Legion Post 146. The daughter of David and Donna Sides of Kannapolis, she has been involved in cheerleading, competitive dancing and color guard. She was president of her freshman and sophomore classes and is study body treasurer. She plans to attend UNC-Chapel Hill to study secondary education. She is involved at First Reformed Church, is in Junior Civitan, Interact, Bible Club and SSA Show Choir. She enjoys music and dance and caring for children.
• Brittney Nicole Smith will represent Faith American Legion Post 327. She is a senior at East Rowan High School. She has been in the color guard for four years and has been secretary, vice president and president of Key Club. She has been active in jazz band and wind ensemble and has participated in all-county band. She plans to enter basic training in the U.S. Army. She hopes to get a degree in nutrition and dietetics while in the Army and have a lifelong career in the Army.