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48th Annual Ohio River Sternwheel Festival: A Look at the Queen Genevieve Contestants | News, Sports, Jobs




Viola AnnElise Angle (Photo provided)

Viola AnnElise Angle21, is the daughter of Kenneth and Michelle Angle of Lowell. She is a senior at West Liberty University in Wheeling, where she is studying exercise physiology for health and fitness, and is minoring in coaching. She is a fourth-year member of the University Dance Team, performing and choreographing. She is a 2021 graduate of Fort Frye High School and Washington County Career Center, where she completed two years in the Sports Medicine and Sports Science program. She participated in sports programs from elementary school through high school and earned academic recognition as an athlete in basketball, cross country, track and field, and cheerleading. She participated in Girl Scouts from kindergarten through graduation, receiving a Senior Gold Tassel to wear at graduation, representing 13 years in Girl Scouts. She attends Freedom Gate Church in Marietta and traveled with the church youth group in 2021 to New York City to serve the homeless community. Her goal is to have a successful career in the health and fitness field, perhaps becoming an entrepreneur developing her own business to help others.

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Isabella Becker18, is the daughter of Christopher and Tiffany Becker of Marietta. She was an active volunteer with the 4-H Car Teens program and volunteered her time helping small businesses in the downtown area prepare for floods. She helped organize and host numerous events for foster children and families and provided clothing and groceries at the Gospel Mission Food Pantry. Her special interests and hobbies include playing volleyball, running, planning fun activities with friends and family, traveling and saving money. She was a part of the Interact Club in Marietta, student council and the journalism program.

She is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She is All-Academic in volleyball and track and field and has received numerous awards for track and field, including All-District in volleyball and track and field, received the Wana Sue Rinard Award in volleyball and the Barbara Pape Award in track and field. She represented Marietta High School as the 2023 prom queen.

Her goal is to become a dermatologist’s assistant.

Isabella Becker (Photo provided)

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Sarah Burchett18 years old, is the daughter of Jeremy and Nikki Burchett and graduated from Marietta High School in 2024.

In the fall, he plans to attend the University of Akron to specialize in emergency management and homeland security and obtain two certifications: a second-degree firefighter and an emergency medical technician.

In the future, he plans to use his education to become a full-time firefighter and paramedic.

She stayed active throughout the summer, working as a lifeguard at the Marietta Aquatic Center and competing in national competitions with her dance studio. In high school, she was very active in various clubs and organizations.

Sarah Burchett (Photo provided)

She spent time dancing at Marquettes, dancing at the Marietta Dance Academy, and participating in many different high school choirs, including Vocal Point and the a cappella choir. She worked with the Gospel Mission Food Pantry and performed at many local events, nursing homes, and elementary schools.

Her dream is to graduate from the University of Akron, become a full-time firefighter and paramedic, and have the chance to be promoted to captain before retiring.

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Jasmine Madison17, is the daughter of Kristopher and Jessica Madison. She is a senior at Belpre High School, where she is a varsity cheerleader, captain of the Mock Trial team, and secretary of the National Honor Society. She was recognized for her outstanding performance in Mock Trial, winning the Best Attorney award and helping her team finish second in the state of Ohio for the best written report. She was also elected to the Ohio Attorney General’s Teen Advisory Council. In addition to her high school achievements, she attends Washington State College of Ohio. She plans to earn a degree in Global and International Studies from Indiana University and then go to law school. Outside of her academic and extracurricular activities, she enjoys dancing, cooking, babysitting, and spending time with her family. She volunteers at her church, serving meals to homeless families and supporting various church initiatives. Her dedication to community service earned her the honor of receiving the Distinguished Service Award from the Belpre Area Chamber of Commerce. Her dream is to work for the government in the field of international law and diplomacy while raising a family.

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Jasmine Madison (Photo provided)

Amanda Rauch17, is a senior at Warren High School. She has a special interest in law and took many classes in high school to better understand it.

Recently she has become more interested in how the body heals itself.

As an athlete, she has struggled with many injuries that cannot be explained. She enjoys researching how food affects the functioning of the body and how it responds when properly cared for.

In her free time she loves cleaning and organizing homes and living spaces.

She grew up in the world of competitive dance and will always have a passion for movement and dance. Her goal is to maximize the opportunities she is given and to be in a constant state of growth, developing the best version of herself.

Amanda Rauch (Photo provided)

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Melina Matics20, is the daughter of Jeff and Sloane Matics of Marietta. She is a 2022 graduate of Wood County Christian School and is studying radiologic technology at Washington State College of Ohio.

She was an 11-year member of the Ohio 4-H Club and currently serves as the 4-H advisor for her club.

In 4-H, she has served on the boards of the Washington County and Ohio State Fairs, and has been a teen representative on the Washington County 4-H Advisory Committee and the Ohio 4-H Foundation Board. She has also served on the Ohio 4-H Teen Leadership Council and was inducted into the Ohio 4-H Teen Hall of Fame in 2023. She was the 2021 Washington County Junior Fair Queen and has competed in national 4-H events.

She is a member of Souls Harbor Baptist Church, where she volunteers in children’s ministry.

Melina Matics (photo provided)

In her free time she enjoys spending time with friends and family, cooking and trying new recipes.

Her dream is to pursue a career in diagnostic imaging and perhaps continue her education to expand her career options in the medical field.

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Lyanna Smith19, is the daughter of Brad and LeeAndra Smith. She is a Marietta native and a 2023 graduate of Marietta High School, Washington County Career Center, and Washington State College of Ohio. She is a junior at Ohio University, where she is majoring in animation and minoring in Japanese. In the future, she hopes to pursue a career as a character animator at Pixar Studios in California. She is actively involved in OU campus life. She is a member of the Lost Flamingoes Theater Troupe, The Japanese Language & Culture Association, Animation Club, and the comedy show Friday’s Live. In high school, she donated her time and talent to several organizations in Marietta. Now, she gives back by raising money for the Trevor Project and helping Japanese exchange students acclimate to American college life. Her goal is to connect with people through her stories and art, and to make a difference through filmmaking and communication.

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Kenzie Smith20, is the daughter of Brad and LeeAndra Smith. She is from Marietta, where she graduated from Marietta High School and Washington County Career Center in 2023. She is a sophomore at Muskingum University, where she is double majoring in criminal justice and psychology. She hopes to pursue a career as a mounted police officer or detective. She is very involved in her campus and community. She is a member of Chi Alpha Nu sorority, Alpha Psi Omega National Honor Theater, a singer in the Muskingum Concert Choir and Kappa Sigma’s Military Heroes Sweetheart. She gives back to her community by raising money for Eyes of Appalachia and Adopt a Highway through her sorority, as well as participating in the Kappa Sigma Military Heroes campaign. Her goal is to have a career that makes her want to wake up every morning and be excited about the day.

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Amelia Williams is a sophomore at Marietta College studying health sciences and hopes to pursue a career in prosthetics by starting her own company.

In MC, she is in the Honor and Leadership programs, Chi Omega Sorority, and is a member of the Cheer and Dance team. She has been a cheerleader since she was 4 years old.

In her free time, she enjoys volunteering at various community events including The Easter Egg Hunt for the Blind, Toys for Tots, Thanksgiving meals for the Salvation Army, Downtown PKB, and more. In her free time, she enjoys building with Legos and fishing with her family.

Her goal is to complete a bachelor’s degree in health sciences and continue her education in prosthetics to help other people with disabilities.

Lyanna Smith (Photo provided)

Kenzie Smith (Photo provided)

Amelia Williams (Photo provided)




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