Persimmon Festival: Queen candidates
Lily Marie Russell
Age: 16
High School: Mitchell High School
Parents’ names and City of Residence: Holly and Robin Russell; Mitchell, IN
Sports, Extra-Curricular and Volunteer activities: At school, I am the Junior Class president and I am a member of SADD, Student Council, and the Academic Team. I am also a member of Lawrence County Fusions Dazzlerz Dance Team.
What do you want to do after high school? After high school, I would like to attend LSU and become a Professional Dancer.
What’s your favorite place in Lawrence County and why? My favorite place in Lawrence County is simply my home. It’s where I am most comfortable and where my favorite people are; including my dog!
Name one meal you can cook by yourself and how did you learn to make it? I can make Banana Bread! I like to think of myself as a professional chef most days; so decided to just look up a recipe and try to whip it up myself!
If money was not a factor, what is one problem you would like to solve to make others’ lives better? I would like to solve the mental health crisis. I honestly just would like everyone to be happy. I want to take away everyone’s sadness and bring them as much happiness as I could.
What’s one place you dream of visiting someday, and why do you want to go there? I would like to go to Africa. I have always been fascinated with the culture. I also enjoy meeting new people!
Jorja Lamm
Age: 16
High School: Mitchell High School
Parents’ names and City of Residence: LaToya and Cody Lamm; Mitchell, IN.
Sports, Extra-Curricular and Volunteer activities: I am a member of the MHS Girls Basketball and Track Team. I also am currently an MHS Football manager. I also enjoy volunteering at the Spring Mill Nature Center.
What do you want to do after high school? After High School, I would like to further my education at a 4 year University. I am interested in possibly becoming a conversation officer. I would like to obtain a degree in Business and/or an environmental bio degree.
What’s your favorite place in Lawrence County and why? My favorite place in Lawrence County is Spring Mill; specifically Donaldson Cave. I enjoy hiking the trial to cave and doing my bible study inside the cave.
Name one meal you can cook by yourself and how did you learn to make it? I enjoy making homemade chicken noodle soup. My mamaw taught me how to make it.
If money was not a factor, what is one problem you would like to solve to make others’ lives better? I would love to solve the difficulties in the foster system. I would want to be able to give all foster children a fair and equal chance to have a happy and loving life.
What’s one place you dream of visiting someday, and why do you want to go there? I would love to go to Alaska. I want to see all of the different animals and see the tons of snow they get throughout the winter!
Bryleigh Littrell
Age: 14
High School: Mitchell High School
Parents’ names and City of Residence: Bryan and Nikki Littrell; Mitchell, IN
Sports, Extra-Curricular and Volunteer activities: In school, I am a member of winter guard, and the MHS Cheer Squad. I also am a member of a competitive cheer squad. I also enjoy dancing and wrestling.
What do you want to do after high school? After high school, I would like to attend a higher learning institution and obtain a degree in nursing.
What’s your favorite place in Lawrence County and why? My favorite place is LCS Cheer. I love to cheer and enjoying spending my free time with my team.
Name one meal you can cook by yourself and how did you learn to make it? I can cook Chicken Tikka Masala. My dad taught me how to make it.
If money was not a factor, what is one problem you would like to solve to make others’ lives better? I would like to be able to end world hunger. Everyone deserves to eat.
What’s one place you dream of visiting someday, and why do you want to go there? I would like to go to Japan because I am interested in their food.
Kylee Lynn Robbins
Age: 16
High School: Mitchell High School
Parents’ names and City of Residence: Kyle and Alyssa Robbins; Mitchell, IN
Sports, Extra-Curricular and Volunteer activities: I am currently employed at Chicago’s Pizza in Mitchell
What do you want to do after high school? After high school, I would like to attend college and earn a degree in nursing. I would like to become an ER nurse.
What’s your favorite place in Lawrence County and why? My favorite place in Lawrence County is my grandma’s house. I enjoy spending time with her; and I love her cooking.
Name one meal you can cook by yourself and how did you learn to make it? Cheesecake. My mom taught me how to make it.
If money was not a factor, what is one problem you would like to solve to make others’ lives better? I would like to be able to give better access to mental health professionals for all.
What’s one place you dream of visiting someday, and why do you want to go there? I dream of going to the Maldives. They have a beautiful natural sea of lights and I would love to see it in person.
Marissa Kayleen Blais
Age: 14
High School: Mitchell High School
Parents’ names and City of Residence: Chasey and Justin Blais; Mitchell, IN
Sports, Extra-Curricular and Volunteer activities: I am a member of the MHS track team and Fellowship of Christian Althetes. I am also a member of Lawrence County 4-H. I volunteer at the Candlelight Tour and Haunted campground in the fall.
What do you want to do after high school? After High School, I would like to go to a higher education institution and become a veterinarian for Large animals. I have grown up on a farm and spend my days with our farm animals.
What’s your favorite place in Lawrence County and why? My favorite place is Spring Mill. I love nature and being outdoor and our State park in beautiful.
Name one meal you can cook by yourself and how did you learn to make it? I love to make no bake cookies. I learned how to make them from my Nanny
If money was not a factor, what is one problem you would like to solve to make others’ lives better? I would like to be able to provide homes to all the homeless animals in the world. Every animal deserves a safe place.
What’s one place you dream of visiting someday, and why do you want to go there? I dream of visiting Hawaii with my Gamma. She has always dreamed of visiting there and I would like to experience it with her.
Madyson Marie Kendall
Age: 16
High School: Mitchell High School
Parents’ names and City of Residence: Vangie and Travis Kendall; Mitchell, IN
Sports, Extra-Curricular and Volunteer activities: I am a member of the Mitchell high school basketball team, and FFA.
What do you want to do after high school? After high school I would like to become a real estate agent; or maybe even be a Nascar driver!
What’s your favorite place in Lawrence County and why? I like going to the Williams Covered bridge. I enjoy being outside; and I like scaring my friends if we go there at night!
Name one meal you can cook by yourself and how did you learn to make it? I taught myself how to grill a steak. I know how to because my dad enjoys grilling out and he taught me.
If money was not a factor, what is one problem you would like to solve to make others’ lives better? I would like find some way to help returning soldiers. I would offer the mental health treatments they may need; and make sure everyone one of them has a home.
What’s one place you dream of visiting someday, and why do you want to go there? I would love to go to Bora Bora. I want to get a good tan and swim with the pigs!
Lila Kathryn Leigh Bodkins
Age: 17
High School: Mitchell High School
Parents’ names and City of Residence: Steve and Joni Bodkins; Mitchell, IN
Sports, Extra-Curricular and Volunteer activities: In school I am a member of SADD, Academic Team, Honor Society and Student Council. I also am the MHS soccer manager. I currently intern at the Lawrence County Courthouse in the Circuit court and volunteer at the Mitchell Masonic Lodge. I enjoy being a member of the Dazzlerz Senior Elite dance team.
What do you want to do after high school? I would like to attend the University of Cincinnati and be a JAG in the US Air Force.
What’s your favorite place in Lawrence County and why? My favorite place is Spring Mill. I love to go camping, hiking with family, kayaking with my brother, observing nature, riding the bike trails, and seeing the waterfalls.
Name one meal you can cook by yourself and how did you learn to make it? One thing I can cook by myself is Banana Pudding. My dad and I have always made it together since I was a little kid.
If money was not a factor, what is one problem you would like to solve to make others’ lives better? I would want to make sure there is enough housing and food available for everyone. You have to be able to fix and provide basic needs for people before you can fix the more complex issues.
What’s one place you dream of visiting someday, and why do you want to go there? I have always wanted to visit Italy. I love the language and it is so colorful and beautiful from the pictures I have seen. I have also heard the food is amazing!
Angeleigh Christina Asbury
Age: 18
High School: Mitchell High School
Parents’ names and City of Residence: Herb and Michelle Asbury; Bedford, IN
Sports, Extra-Curricular and Volunteer activities: In school, I am a member of Student Council and SADD; I am also a Peer Leader. I am currently a manager for the MHS Soccer team. I also enjoy being a member of the Lawrence County Fusion Dazzlerz Dance Team.
What do you want to do after high school? After high school, I would like to attend college and pursue a degree in Elementary Education.
What’s your favorite place in Lawrence County and why? My favorite place is Spring Mill. I enjoy how peaceful it is and how at home it makes me feel.
Name one meal you can cook by yourself and how did you learn to make it? I can make Cinnamon Rolls. My grandmother, Chris Ferrell makes amazing Cinnamon Rolls. I learned to make them through fundraisers over the years.
If money was not a factor, what is one problem you would like to solve to make others’ lives better? I want to help anyone who doesn’t have a job; or doesn’t have the means to prepare for job interviews. I would like to provide nice clothing and educational classes to prepare individuals for potential employment.
What’s one place you dream of visiting someday, and why do you want to go there? I would like to visit London with my dad, so he can show me where he lived while he was there.
Madison Grace Smith
Age: 17
High School: Mitchell High School
Parents’ names and City of Residence: Jennifer and Justin Smith; Mitchell, IN
Sports, Extra-Curricular and Volunteer activities: In school, I am a member of Student Council, SADD, Honor Society, and HOSA.
What do you want to do after high school? After high school, I would like to attend college and obtain a degree in Respiratory Therapy.
What’s your favorite place in Lawrence County and why? My favorite place in Lawrence County is Spring Mill; so many of my childhood memory are from there.
Name one meal you can cook by yourself and how did you learn to make it? I make Spaghetti with sugar in the sauce. My mom has always made it this way; and it’s how she taught me to make it.
If money was not a factor, what is one problem you would like to solve to make others’ lives better? I would like to be able to solve the drug epidemic in my community. If we could solve this issue it would decrease the amount of homelessness, overdoses, and increase the workforce. Children would also have the opportunity for a better home life with more present parents.
What’s one place you dream of visiting someday, and why do you want to go there? Paris, France. It is such a beautiful place and I have always wanted to go.
Avah Renee Cooper
Age: 15
High School: Mitchell High School
Parents’ names and City of Residence: Thomas and Julia Hamilton; Mitchell, IN
Sports, Extra-Curricular and Volunteer activities: In school, I am a member of the MHS softball, volleyball, and basketball team. I am also a member of Lawrence County 4-H.
What do you want to do after high school? After high school, I would like to attend college and obtain a degree in business. I would then go to Cosmetology school and eventually become a Dermatologist.
What’s your favorite place in Lawrence County and why My favorite place in Lawrence County is Spring Mill; there are so many hiking trails and I enjoy exploring the caves.
Name one meal you can cook by yourself and how did you learn to make it? I make Chicken Alfredo. I learned how to make it from my mom.
If money was not a factor, what is one problem you would like to solve to make others’ lives better? I would like to be able to solve world hunger. I would want to provide adults and children access food.
What’s one place you dream of visiting someday, and why do you want to go there? The Grand Ole Opry. I want to learn about the history of country music.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Persimmon Festival: Queen candidates
