Feb. 21, 2017
For Immediate Release
By Lauren Stevens, student news writer, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — Campbellsville University crowned Shelby Stringer, a junior from Liberty, Ky., as the 2017 Valentine’s Day Queen at the Annual Valentine’s Pageant Feb. 11 in Ransdell Chapel.
The 2016 Valentine Queen, Kendall Riddle, from Fern Creek, Ky. handed Stringer the crown. Stringer represented Church Outreach, an outreach organization that travels around the Commonwealth of Kentucky to lead church services and advance the Kingdom of God.
The second runner up in Campbellsville University’s Valentine Pageant was Natalie Turner from Louisville, Ky., representing the School of Education, and the first runner up was MacKenzie Arrasmith from Dry Ridge, Ky., who represented the Cheer Team.
Stringer is the daughter of Barry and Susan Stringer, both Campbellsville University graduates. She is a 2014 graduate of Casey County High School and attends Liberty First Baptist Church.
Turner is the daughter of Brent and Deborah Turner of Louisville, Ky. She is a 2015 graduate of Christian Academy of Louisville and attends Southeast Christian Church.
Arrasmith is the daughter of Robert Arrasmith of Independence, Ky. and Melani Crupper of Dry Ridge, Ky. She is a 2013 graduate of Grant County High School and attends Sherman Church of Christ.
Stringer is familiar with the pageant life but this pageant was particularly special to her.
She said, “This pageant wasn’t like any other pageant I had ever been in. I think it meant so much to me because Campbellsville has done so much for me since I came here. Campbellsville University has blessed me with so many opportunities and it’s an honor to represent the university!”
The 2017 Valentine Queen will go on to compete in a regional pageant, The Mountain Laurel Festival, with many other young women from other universities around Kentucky. Riddle was first runner-up in the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival in May 2016.
The Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival will have “The Queen Coronation” on May 27, 2017.
Best Poise & Appearance Award was awarded to Guerdine Smith, representing Stapp Hall, from Peewee Valley, Ky.
Smith is the daughter of John and Mary Smith of Louisville, Ky. She is a 2015 graduate of Christian Academy of Louisville and attends Spring Bell Community Church.
The Best Interview Award was awarded to Arrasmith. Best Talent Award and Miss Congeniality Award went to Sarah Fanning of Versailles, who represented the Art Club. Fanning painted as her talent of the night.
She is the daughter of Stuart and Raemal Fanning of Versailles, Ky. She is a 2014 graduate of Woodford County High School and attends New Hope Baptist Church.
The judges were Debbie Nunery, Kelli Shuffett and Megan Miller.
The Annual Campbellsville University Valentine’s Day Pageant was organized by the Student Government Association (SGA) of Campbellsville University and the Office of Student Services.
Jesslyn McCandless, vice president of SGA, said hosting the Valentine’s Pageant “is an opportunity to let the girls have a unique experience and represent Campbellsville University.”
Campbellsville University is a widely-acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 4,500 students offering over 80 programs of study including 19 master’s degrees, six postgraduate areas and seven pre-professional programs. The university has off-campus centers in Louisville, Harrodsburg, Somerset and Hodgenville with instructional sites in Elizabethtown, Owensboro and Summersville and a full complement of online programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.