UPIKE to select Moutain Laurel rep
0Written By Shannon Howder
It’s that time of year again when the Southern belles come out, and the new UPIKE Mountain Laurel representative is selected. The Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival (KMLF) is one of Kentucky’s oldest festivals. This festival is based off of the blooming of the mountain laurel flower. Women from all across the state of Kentucky gather in Pineville, Ky., to represent their school or university. This festival, held in May, is full of Southern hospitality from start to finish. It is the ultimate Southern belle filled festival with a weekend full of tea parties, parades, and social gatherings.
UPIKE selects its queen candidate with similar events that will take place in Pineville. There are six candidates: Connor Cook, Kayla Thacker, Haley Johnson, Brianna Blackburn, Haley Damron, and Nicole Howe. These six candidates will be judged during the week of Feb. 8-Feb. 11 through a secret panel of judges. The candidates will participate in a community service project, chapel service, a tea party at the president’s home, and a final interview with the panel of judges.
Last year’s queen, Kelli Dorton, will crown the winner on Feb. 11, during halftime of the men’s basketball game.