Contestants for Miss Rowan County Veteran will ride in the Faith Fourth of July parade and be crowned immediately following the parade;
Contestants for the 2012 Miss Rowan County Veteran are:
• Ria Jordan Blevins of Kannapolis, who represents Samuel C. Hart American Legion Post 14. Daughter of Randy Blevins and Vira Jung-Blevins, she is a sophomore at Central Piedmont Community College studying for a degree in biochemistry. She graduated high school with a 3.25 GPA and was 76th out of 266 in her class. She has been involved in soccer, softball, NJROTC and Symphonic Band. She volunteers at Cabarrus County Humane Society.
• Adriana Gabriella Pena of China Grove, who represents American Legion Post 185. Daughter of Michelle Bare and Salvador Pena, she is a 2012 high school graduate and plans to study nursing. Adriana is a member of Health Occupations Students of America and is involved in ballet.
• Taylor Hope Ritchie of Rockwell, who represents AMVETS Post 845. Daughter of Craig Ritchie and Tracy Ritchie, she is a 2012 graduate of East Rowan High School, where she was on the varsity tennis and varsity swim teams. She was on the A/B honor roll, graduating with a 4.14 GPA, and was a Civitan Scholar. She was involved in Junior Civitan, Relay for Life, Tobacco Reality Unfiltered and the Jazz Band. Taylor plans to major in biology at UNCW, followed by dental school, and has interned at Busby and Webb Orthodontics. A scholarship recipient, she is the Post 845 queen for the parade.
• Allison Niccole Brindle of Gold Hill, who represents Harold B. Jarrett Post 342. A rising senior at East Rowan High School, she is a Scholar Athlete and is on the varsity cheerleading, varsity soccer and track and field teams. Allison served as a Junior Marshal, is a Civitan Scholar and is recipient of the Winterblum Scholarship. She has served as Junior Civitan president; church youth group officer; in SADD Club; on the “Dream” team; in Homecoming Court for three years; and was Miss Junior Civitan 2011-2012. She has also been involved in Memorial Day and Veterans Day services at Concord Church of the Nazarene. Her volunteer work includes Charlotte Men’s Shelter, Abundant Living and Relay for Life. Allison plans to pursue a career in the medical field.
• Kelly Taylor Menius of Kannapolis, who represents AMVETS Post 565. A 2011 honors graduate of South Rowan High School, she was a member of the National FFA Chapter. The daughter of Dwayne and Tina Menius, she will continue to work and plans to return to school.
• Christine Nicole Bolin of Salisbury, who represents DAV Post 96. The daughter of Wanda and David Bolin, she was a student at Carson High School and hopes to be a pharmacist.
• Hannah Ellen Shinn of Salisbury, who represents American Legion Post 327. A 2012 honor graduate of Jesse Carson High School, she was a Scholar Athlete and on the tennis team all through high school, making All Conference, All County and named co-MVP in 2012. An honor student, she was a member of National Honor Society; was Student Council representative; and in the International Actors Club. She competed and won the 2012 Voice of Democracy Essay Contest for VFW Post 3006. Hannah is very active with Nazareth Community Church youth, community service summer projects, Stay-At-Home missions trips, Mission Thursdays and will attend a weeklong mission trip to Cherokee this summer. She will attend Wingate University this fall and plans to pursue a doctor of pharmacy degree.
• Lauren Alexis Knox of Salisbury, who represents J.C. Price American Legion Post 107. A 2012 honors graduate of North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, she had a GPA of 4.5. She has done basketball and competitive cheerleading, did competitive dance from 2003-2012 and was a finalist in the 2012 Teen Miss Dance of North Carolina. She was named Freshmen of the Year; received the Biology Award; was Ambassador of the Year and Outstanding Choral Student; was founder and president of Junior Statesmen of America; member of Women in Science and Engineering; NIA; member of Key Club; president of Jr. Members of Carolina Dance Masters; and was a Student Council member. At Mount Tabor Presbyterian Church in Cleveland, she participates in the youth group and youth choir and is a member of the Praise Team. Lauren plans to attend UNC-Chapel Hill.
• Morgan Grace Rodgers of China Grove, who represents Kennedy-Hall American Legion Post 106. A 2012 honor graduate of South Rowan High School, she was a member of the swim team, Student Government Organization, American Patriots Society, Jr. Civitans Club, HOSA and Spanish Club; received five academic letters; and was one of 25 students selected to participate in the Allied Class. She is a certified nursing assistant; has been a member of Kennedy-Hall Auxiliary for six years, participating in their annual children’s Christmas party and Easter egg hunt; and visits veterans at the Veterans Home. The daughter of Barry and Shannon Rodgers of China Grove, she is a member of Grace Lutheran Church, where she is vice president of the youth group. Morgan plans to pursue a four-year degree in neonatal nursing.
• Candace Brooks Fraley of Granite Quarry, who represents Livengood/Peeler/Wood Post 448. A junior member of the Post Auxiliary, she participates in FBLA, Younglife and is a Granite Quarry Fire Dept. Junior Firefighter. The daughter of Bill and Kim Fraley, she is a rising senior at East Rowan High School and plans to study radiography therapy at RCCC and Forsyth Tech.
• Amanda Nicole McClure of Rockwell, who represents Vanhoy-Sells VFW Post 9134. The daughter of Harry McClure and Sharon Brown, she is a graduate of the Rowan County Early College program with a two-year associate of arts degree. She was a Jr. Civitan and was on the yearbook committee. Amanda has volunteered at Hefner VA Medical Center and Big Sweep. A member of freedom Christian Worship Center, she is involved with the choir and children’s church. She plans to study psychology at Pfeiffer University.
• Madison Taylor Sides of Kannapolis, who represents Landis American Legion Post 146. A rising junior at South Rowan High School, she has served as a varsity cheerleader for football and basketball. A Junior Marshal, she is a member of the National Honor Society; was president of Jr. Civitans; was Student Council Sergeant of Arms; is a member of Post 146, YCI Club, American Patriots Club, SATB Show Choir; and attended 2012 Tarheel Girls State. The daughter of David and Donna Sides, she plans to study secondary education at a four-year university.