Contestants vie for Miss Harlan County crown
Published 10:05 am Tuesday, June 4, 2019
<p>Photos by Vicki Blakley</p> <p>Rhileigh Alred</p>
<p>Madison Blanton</p>
<p>Emily Bryant</p>
<p>Lucy Bryson</p>
<p>Whitney Couch</p>
<p>Whitney Hensley</p>
<p>Karli Maggard</p>
<p>Elaina McKnight</p>
<p>Emersyn Noah</p>
The 2019 Miss Harlan County Scholarship/Miss Poke Sallet Pageant will begin at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4 at the Harlan Elementary School auditorium.
Contestants vying for the crown include:
RHILEIGH ALRED
Rhileigh Starr Alred is representing Harlan County High School. She is the daughter of Dusty and Holly Alred.
Rhileigh recently graduated as valedictorian at HCHS. She is a member of Mill Branch Church of God and Sunday school director. At Harlan County High School, Rhileigh was the vice-president of the National Honors Society and president of the Spanish Honors Society. She held the position as a Senior Link Crew leader that mentored 40 freshmen throughout the school year. In addition, Rhileigh lead the Pledge of Allegiance at HCHS. She was the editor of the school yearbook. Making decisions for the Student Council, as a senior decision maker, is another service Rhileigh was actively involved in. Rhileigh held membership in the National Beta Club, Kentucky High School Athletic Association HC Representative, Educational Talent Search, Gifted and Talented Education, Art Club, Rising Educators Club, FBLA, DECA and administrative assistant to the principal. She also was an honorary member of the National Society of High School Scholars and is a UK Board of Medicine nominee.
Throughout her high school career, Rhileigh volunteered many services hours to the following programs in and out of school: Cram the Cruiser, Pennies for Patients, Diabetes Walk, CHD Awareness Walk, freshman mentor-tutor, dance choreographer, Gymnastics Kinder Classes, Link Crew Leader Freshman Transition, church food drives, Empty Stocking Fund and HCHS toy drives.
Rhileigh was voted Miss Harlan County High School and football homecoming queen by her peers. She was also voted “Monticello Bank” student of the month, Kentucky Mountain Laurel princess candidate and Hugh O’Brian (HOBY) Leader by her teachers. She was also named the WYMT Mountain Achiever by the University of Pikeville.
Rhileigh cheered for Harlan County High School for six years and her squad won the Sweet Sixteen State Cheerleading Competition last year along with the district and region. She was a six time NCA-UCA All-American Cheerleader. In addition, she pitched and played left field for the award winning Harlan County High School softball team.
She will be attending Lincoln Memorial University in the fall majoring in elementary education. Upon completion of her bachelor’s degree, Rhileigh plans to return from college and use that degree to educate children of Harlan County.
MADISON BLANTON
Madison Leigh-Anne Blanton is representing Harlan County High School. She is the 18-year-old daughter of David Blanton II, of Tremont, and Wendy Gaw Blanton, of Harlan.
Madison is a recent graduate of Harlan County High School and was voted Best All Around by her senior class. She is proud to proclaim that she is a Christian and attends the Loyall First Baptist Church. Her love for people and God’s creations has led her to be the person she is today. Madison is very sympathetic towards lost and mistreated animals. She volunteered for the local spay and neuter clinic as well as the pet store helping with the animals in her younger years.
Madison has pursued her love of running since becoming a member of the HCHS cross country team when she was only a third grader. She has received numerous awards throughout her seven years of running. Madison has been a member of the HCHS track and field team for 7 years. She was recognized for her talents in the long jump, triple jump, and high jump as well as running on several relay teams. Madison also played volleyball at Harlan County. She was also a three year starter on the HCHS soccer team. Despite her involvement in numerous after school activities, she always managed to remain diligent and focused on her studies. Madison strives for excellence by completing numerous college prep classes. Madison’s dedication to her education resulted in becoming a member of the Beta Club, the Spanish Honor Society, the national Honor Society, Talent Search and a member of Link Crew throughout her time at her alma mater.
Madison’s love for animals has helped in her decision to pursue her career in veterinary medicine. She also plans to follow her mother’s footsteps and open up her home to foster children. She received dual scholarships to the University of the Cumberlands in track and field as well as soccer.
EMILY BRYANT
Emily Hollie-Grace Bryant is representing Harlan County High School. She is the daughter of Shawn and Lesley Bryant, of Harlan
Emily is a recent graduate of Harlan County High School. While a student at Harlan County, Emily participated in many clubs such as National Honor Society, BETA Club and Health Occupations Students of America where she was the vice president.
Emily is also very active in the community as she has completed 250 plus hours of community service at the ARH operating room, emergency department and medical-surgical unit. She also participated in various activities with the Humane Society. She was very active in the Angel Tree activities for multiple years. Emily also won third place in the Health Occupations Students of America state competition in the Medical Health Photography portion. She will be competing internationally in June
In her future, she plans to attend Southeast Kentucky Community & TechnicalCollege in the fall as she has been accepted into the nursing program. After receiving her associate’s in nursing, she hopes one day to become a nurse anesthetist.
LUCY BRYSON
Lucy Bryson is representing Harlan High School as a rising senior in the class of 2020. She is the 17-year-old daughter of Stephen and Tara Bryson.
Along with maintaining a spot on her school’s honor roll for three consecutive years, she is a member of her school’s track team, cross country team, Beta Club, academic team, pep club and drama club. Lucy was selected by her superintendent to represent her school on the board with Dan Mosley, for a recreational center coming to Harlan in the near future.
Lucy resides in Harlan and attends Christ Episcopal Church where she volunteers with her youth group on trips to Christ’s Hands to feed the homeless, waiting tables at their annual fundraiser, delivering meals with With Love From Harlan and adopting families to provide food, Christmas presents and clothing for their annual Christmas project.
In her cross country career, Lucy was awarded All SEKC Team her sophomore and junior season, All Area 9 Team freshman, sophomore and junior season, two time state qualifier and offers from Asbury University to continue her career throughout college. Lucy has ran varsity for her track team freshman, sophomore and junior year, and currently holds her school’s record for the 800m dash. Her goals for her final track and cross country season are to obtain all of the distance school records at once.
She has also been able to work for “Harlan’s hero,” Joyce Zheng, as a waitress during her free time. Lucy was a member of her school’s drama club for ninth and 10th grades, but has been an avid member of the drama community since elementary school. Her most fond experiences on the stage have been playing the roles of Della in “The Gift of the Magi,”Alice in “You Can’t Take it With You,” and May in “Higher Ground 4” and the “Higher Ground Mashup tour,” She has performed under the instruction of college and professional level directors and performed on many stages outside of the school’s auditorium.
Upon graduation, Lucy plans on attending Asbury University with a major in communications and minor in theatrical drama in hopes of becoming a news reporter as a future career and pursue drama every chance she gets.
WHITNEY COUCH
Whitney Danielle Couch is representing Harlan High School. She is the granddaughter of Don and Melissa Couch, of Putney.
Whitney is a recent graduate of Harlan High School. She was voted Most Likely to Succeed by her senior class. She was a member of the Academic Team, Honor Society and Beta Club. Whitney was a cheerleader as well as a member of the volleyball team. She was also a member of the Future Business Leaders of America, president of the Health Occupations Students of America and numerous advanced placement courses. Whitney received second in Kentucky on her HOSA Healthcare issues exam. She also advanced to international competition on her home health aide in which she will be attending Disney World at the end of June.
Whitney has a love for ballet as well as dance. She has volunteered over 400 hours at the Harlan Appalachian Regional Hospital in the emergency department as well as the rehabilitation activities department since December 2018. Whitney is a pound member of Totz Church of God. She has received numerous academic awards and scholarships Ann Vescio, Ed Miracle, University of the Cumberland’s Presidential Scholarship and Nolan Lodge Scholarship.
Whitney’s plans are to attend University of the Cumberlands to become a physician assistant. In the fall, she will be a member of UC’s dance team. Upon completion at UC Whitney plans to attend medical school at the University of Kentucky in hopes of becoming a trauma surgeon.
WHITNEY HENSLEY
Whitney Hensley is representing Harlan County High School. She is the daughter of Kenny and Melissa Hensley, of Coldiron.
Whitney is a recent graduate of Harlan County High School. While attending HCHS, she was very active in cheerleading as well as the dance team.While she was on the cheer team, she was an All-American nominee, has won several district and WYMT championships and placed second in the region. She was a member of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America as a member their goal is to make a difference in their families, careers and communities by addressing important personal, work and societal issues through Family and Consumer Science Education.
Whitney was a member of the Beta Club as well as the Art Club. She was a member of the Link Club as a leader that mentored freshman and helped them transition to high school and help facilitate freshman success. Whitney Volunteered numerous hours with the Angel Tree as well as With Love From Harlan.
Whitney will be attending Choice MD Medical School in London, Kentucky majoring in medical assistance. After receiving her medical assistant degree she plans on furthering her education in the medical field.
KARLI MAGGARD
Karli Jo Maggard is representing Harlan County High School. She is the daughter of Jack and Bobbie Joe Maggard, of Coldiron.
Karli is a recent graduate of Harlan County High School where she was voted Prettiest Eyes by her fellow classmates. Many of her leadership qualities have been attained by being a member Link Crew. Karli has also acquired many great attributes by being a member of Beta Club, and Health Occupations Students of America. Karli traveled to Louisville to compete in the job seeking skills portion in the 2019 Kentucky State HOSA Competition.
Karli plans to spend a few more years in her hometown to obtain her associate’s degree in science at Southeast Community & Technical College. She will then further her education at the University of the Cumberlands to complete her career goal in becoming a teacher where She plans to impact the future of children in her hometown of Harlan.
ELAINA MCKNIGHT
Elaina Brooke McKnight is representing Harlan County High School. She is the daughter of Paul and Casey McKnight, of Cumberland.
Elaina is an active member of Trinity Tabernacle Church. She is a recent graduate of Harlan County High School. Elaina was a member of the Beta Club, National Honors Society where she was recognized for excellence in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership and character, Talent Search, Gifted and Talented in which Elaina showed high performance capability in numerous academic fields and the Link Crew.
Elaina graduated with an Honors Diploma which are bestowed as recognition of outstanding academic achievements. She graduated with honors and 32 college credit hours. Elaina received several scholarships including Clarissa Brigmon, Kentucky Farm Bureau, University of the Cumberlands Presidential Scholarship and the Cumberland Valley RECC.
She enjoyed volunteering in her community with wrapping gifts for the Mountain Santa the Empty Stocking Fund as well as donating clothing and food to Christ’s Hands along with her school’s resource center.
Elaina will be attending the University of the Cumberlands to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. She then plans to further her education to receive a doctorate degree in physical therapy. Elaina plans to return to Harlan County and work as a physical therapist to help the people of her hometown.
EMERSYN NOAH
Emersyn Leigh Noah is representing Harlan High School. She is the daughter of Dondi and Stacy Noah, of Baxter.
Emersyn is a 2019 graduate of Harlan High School. She attends Harlan Christian Church where she helps with supervision in the nursery and is an active member of the youth group.
As a student athlete at Harlan High School, Emersyn was a member of the cheerleading squad, Beta Club, Gifted and Talented General Intellect and Leadership, FBLA, journalism staff and Musettes where she served as vice president her senior year.
She was voted Miss Harlan High School by the HHS student body, Best Dressed by her senior class and was also crowned HHS football homecoming queen. Teachers of Harlan High School selected Emersyn as the Kentucky Mountain Laurel princess candidate, DAR representative and Student of the Month.
Other honors include being selected to participate in the prestigious Roger’s Scholar Program, Boys and Girls Club Student Ambassador, and 4-H Teen Club Student Representative.
She has volunteered her time to support Harlan County’s Stroke Awareness Walk and Relay for Life. She has served as a song leader at Vacation Bible School for several years and is especially proud of the beautification service project she completed for the Harlan County Coal Mining Memorial.
Her hobbies include attending Stacey Madon’s Dance Fitness class, singing and doing special event makeup for others. She enjoys tennis, and especially enjoys her summer pool time.
Her plans are to attend Eastern Kentucky University in the fall and pursue a degree in nursing. Emersyn’s plans are to be a nurse in a rehabilitation setting.
