By Scott Mims

Imagine the surprise Alyssa and Alyson Childress felt upon hearing they had both been named Miss Swedish Fest Queens.
Neither of the sisters, both from Jemison, had participated in a pageant outside of their school before. But despite the age difference (Alyssa is 18 and Alyson 15), they have often competed together.
“We’ve always done just about everything together,” said Alyson, a sophomore a Jemison High School.
Both girls have been active in multiple sports and cheerleading since age 4. At that age, Alyson was a mascot for Alyssa’s little league squad, and they played on the same softball team.
The sisters also cheered together on the same competitive squad at Central Alabama Cheer for several years.
When asked if they ever became competitive with each other, Alyson indicated it was usually the opposite. Either they were teammates, or they were separated by different age groups.
“About the only time we are competitive is when we’re in the gym tumbling,” she said.
Alyssa, a freshman at Troy University, said her younger sister brings a lot to the table for someone her age.
“She’s a lot more mature than I was at her age,” Alyssa said. “I have really learned from her. She’s something.”
This year, both girls reign as Miss Swedish Fest Queens — Alyssa as Miss Swedish Fest 2009, and Alyson as Junior Miss Swedish Fest 2009. Alyssa received a $1,000 college scholarship, and both received gifts and the privilege of representing Chilton County for a year.
They share this privilege with Young Miss Swedish Fest Resha Grace and Little Miss Swedish Fest Kaley Easterling.
“I like spending time with the younger girls. They’re fun to be around,” Alyssa said.
“In October, we had a lot of fun representing the Swedish Festival at Thorsby’s Halloween on the Farm,” added Alyson.
Currently, Alyssa is a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority at Troy, where she serves in the hospitality room on game days and enjoys her job at Campus Deli. She was valedictorian of her graduating class at Jemison.
Meanwhile, Alyson is a JV cheerleader at Jemison, has joined NXS Tumbling and is a member of their senior competitive cheerleading squad.
Both girls are looking at a career in the medical or dental field.
The sisters are daughters of Wayne and LeAnne Childress and granddaughters of the late Kent Lowrey, former Chilton County Commissioner. They are members of Mars Hill Baptist Church.

By Justin Averette

Applications are currently being taken for the annual Swedish Festival Beauty Pageant.

The pageant takes places during the town’s Swedish Festival, which will be the weekend of Saturday, Oct. 17.

The Swedish Queens attend several events throughout the year, including open houses, ribbon cuttings and other social functions. They also ride in the Swedish Festival Parade. 

“We try to be at anything in Thorsby,” said Marika Porter, with Daisies Florist and Gift Shop. Porter helps organize the pageant.

The pageant takes place in two nights and is sponsored by the Swedish Festival Committee. The pageant will take place Monday, Oct. 5 and Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 6 p.m. both nights at Thorsby High School’s auditorium. Admission will be $5.

In all, six different queens from all age groups will be named. 

On Monday, the following queens will be crowned: Tiniest, ages 2-4; Tiny, ages 5-7; and Little, ages 8-10. On Tuesday, the older girls will compete: Young, age 11-12; Junior, age 13-15; and Miss, 16-19.

The 2009 Miss Swedish Festival Queen will receive a $1,000 scholarship. 

Registration will take place Sunday, Sept. 20 from 2-4 p.m. at Helen Jenkins Chapel. Contestants are required to turn in two wallet photos of the same pose. Organizers ask that the girl’s name, age and sponsor (if applicable) be written on the back of both photos.

The entry fee is $50, which includes the photogenic competition. Dress is formal pageant wear. 

Practice will take place Saturday, Oct. 3 throughout the day by age group.

For more information, call Daisies Florist and Gift Shop at 646-3229, Marika at 283-7908, Mesha at 389-4828 or Heather 233-3033.