New royalty crowned in West Lafayette
Keirstan Hall, the 15-year-old daughter of Grant and Kathy Ford, is the 2016/2017 West Lafayette Homecoming Festival Queen. Josie Sellers | Beacon
WEST LAFAYETTE – Keirstan Hall was overcome with emotion when it was announced that she was selected as the 2016/2017 West Lafayette Homecoming Festival Queen.
“I was in shock for about 2.5 seconds and then I started crying,” she said. “I was super excited and my heart was racing.”
Hall received her crown during the queen contest held July 28 in Burt Park during the West Lafayette Homecoming Festival.
“The last time I tried out for this was when my grandpa was still alive, but after I did it I stepped back into my comfort zone,” Hall said. “When he passed away last December I told myself, ‘Ok Keirstan it’s time to buck up and do this again.’”
Hall is the 15-year-old daughter of Grant and Kathy Ford.
Alyna Weaver, the 11-year-old daughter of Charles and Shanna Weaver, is the 2016/2017 West Lafayette Homecoming Festival Junior Queen. Josie Sellers | Beacon
“I’m super excited for her,” Kathy said. “She’s worked so hard for this. I was really shocked when she said she wanted to do this because she’s always been the sporty type, but we were all for it.”
Hall said she was looking forward to meeting new people and traveling. Helping her represent West Lafayette at other festivals will be Gracee Robertson, the 14-year-old daughter of Doug and Mary Robertson, who won the attendant title.
The junior queen title went to Alyna Weaver, the 11-year-old daughter of Charles and Shanna Weaver, and her court includes first attendant Allison Edie, the 10-year-old daughter of Randy and Angie Edie and second attendant Laney Hostetler, the 12-year-old daughter of Les Hostetler and Lori Wright.
Alyna was on last year’s court and said she enjoyed going to festivals and all the little girls that looked up to them.
“What I learned from last year is that being yourself is the best option,” she said.
Alyna’s sister Kyra also competed in the contest and their mother Shanna said she was glad to see both of them participating.
Alaena Huff, the 7-year-old daughter of Ed and Michelle Huff, is the 2016/2017 West Lafayette Homecoming Festival Mini Queen. Josie Sellers | Beacon
“The best part about this is that they learn public speaking and to talk to people without being afraid,” Shanna said.
She also noted that Alyna’s crown was literally a dream come true.
“She told me a couple of weeks ago that she dreamed that they put the crown on her head,” Shanna said.
Judges selected the queen and junior queen, but the mini queen was the lucky little girl who pulled the red rose and that happened to be Alaena Huff.
“I’m excited for the parades,” Huff said.
She is the 7-year-old daughter of Ed and Michelle Huff and her big sister Josey Lillibridge was the 2015/2016 Homecoming Queen.
“She said she wanted to be just like her big sister,” Michelle said. “This has really given the girls confidence. Josey really had to step out of her comfort zone to do this. They can just talk to anyone.”
Eva Hill, the 4-year-old daughter of Jonathan and Courtney Hill, is the 2016/2017 West Lafayette Homecoming Festival Little Miss. Josie Sellers | Beacon
Receiving the pink roses to serve alongside Huff as attendants were Sophia Bluck, the 8-year-old daughter of Rusty and Melissa Bluck, and Madeleine Larrison, the 8-year-old daughter of Tim and Shelly Larrison.
The little miss winner was picked by a local photographer who reviewed photographs submitted by the contestants’ parents. Eva Hill, the 4-year-old daughter of Jonathan and Courtney Hill won this title and her attendant will be Ruby Bluck, the 3-year-old daughter of Rusty and Melissa Bluck.
“I’m excited for her (Eva),” said Courtney. “The parade is all she has talked about.”
The contest also included the crowing of a senior queen, which is selected through nominations from the community. The identity of the winner is usually kept a secret until the queen contest, but this year it leaked out to winner Mary Lou Heller who has lived in the community all her life, is involved with her church, 4-H, the Red Cross, and much more.
“This is so exciting for me,” Heller said. “Thank you to everyone who nominated me and to the chamber for sponsoring this contest. I feel like Miss America.”
Mary Lou Heller was named the 2016/2017 West Lafayette Homecoming Festival Senior Queen. Josie Sellers | Beacon
Heller graduated from Ridgewood High School in 1974 and was the 1973 West Lafayette Homecoming Queen.
“I never thought I’d be back up here,” she said.
Category: Arts & Entertainment
