Phi Beta Psi sorority recently announced the queen candidates for the 50th annual Cancer Dance, Cheers to 50 Years.

Each February, the Theta Omega chapter of Phi Beta Psi sorority conducts a fundraising event for its national project of cancer research along with a dinner/dance.

This year will mark the 50th anniversary for this event. The dinner and dance will be Feb. 4 at Pewter Hall in Brownstown. The Jackson Way will provide the music.

Seven Jackson County young women will be in contention to be crowned the 2023 Phi Beta Psi Cancer Dance queen.

Tickets for the event are $80 per couple or $40 single and may be obtained from any sorority member. Dance committee members are Jackie Hill, Dana Byrkett, Karen Sutton and Jennifer Payton.

Collection containers have been placed by the candidates at various business locations, asking for a “penny-a-vote.”

The queen will be crowned the evening of the dance. She will be the candidate who raises the most money through the collection containers, as well as individual efforts to obtain donations from family, friends, neighbors and businesses. Anyone wishing to make a tax-deducible donation may contact any of the candidates. All proceeds go to cancer research.

The seven Jackson County high school seniors competing for the title are Marlo Cornn, Kensley Koester, Addison Lemon, Grace Lewis, Brooke Schafstall, Olivia Schwipps and Kiley Sons.

Marlo Cornn, the daughter of Bret and Holly Cornn, attends Seymour High School. She is involved in National Honor Society, student government, Distinguished Young Woman Jackson County, 4-H, gymnastics and tennis. She plans to attend Miami of Ohio or Butler.

Kensley Koester, the daughter of Michelle Koester and the late Tom Koester, attends Seymour High School and is involved in National Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She is a Schneck junior volunteer, a Community Provisions diner helper and a Riley Dance Marathon member. She plans to attend Ball State University and become a speech language pathologist.

Addison Lemon, the daughter of Rowdy and Brooke Lemon, attends Seymour High School and is involved in volleyball, track and field, the Schneck work-based learning and a Riley Dance Marathon member. She plans to attend Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus to play volleyball and study sonography.

Grace Lewis, the daughter of Tom and Michele Lewis, attends Seymour High School and is involved in cross country, track and field, gymnastics, swimming and diving, student government, National Honor Society, Riley Dance Marathon, Drug Abuse Resistance Education role model, Pep Club and advanced chorus. She plans to attend a four-year college for civil engineering.

Brooke Schafstall, the daughter of Andrew and Brandy Schafstall, attends Seymour High School and is involved in National Honor Society, tennis, 4-H and Tots to Teens Tennis. She plans to attend Indiana University East for nursing.

Olivia Schwipps, the daughter of Steve and Michelle Schwipps, attends Trinity Lutheran High School. She is involved in band, choir, drama, volleyball and softball. She helps out at Peace Lutheran Church with its praise choir as well as at her church, Zion Lutheran in Seymour.

Kiley Sons, the daughter of Jeremy and Jessica Sons, attends Seymour High School. She is involved in National Honor Society, track, FFA and 4-H. She will be attending Southern Illinois to study pre-veterinary medicine.