The Parade Queen's Court and Essay Contest
How the Grand Ledge parade's queen's court is chosen through a student essay contest, with savings bonds toward higher education, and a look at past courts.
The Grand Ledge parade features a queen's court made up of young ladies from middle school through high school. In partnership with the Grand Ledge School District and St. Michael Catholic School, winners are selected from a pool of essay-contest submissions. Three winners are chosen each year, and in addition to riding in the parade, each receives a US savings bond to be applied toward higher education.
The essay contest gives the celebration a lasting civic purpose beyond the parade itself: it invites local students to write about their community and rewards them with a start on their education. Past courts have included:
- 2002: Emily Collins
- 2003: Erin Jancek
- 2004: Jordan Lynwood (Queen); court: Angela Collins, Debbie Gilliland
- 2005: Kristin Carl (Queen); court: Jackie Cosgrove, Allison Kunde
- 2006: Emily Baese (Queen); court: Allison Tinsey, Amanda Esch
- 2007: Lindsay Carl (Queen); court: Brianna Brown, Jessica Collins
Each year's court represents the parade at the celebration and around the Grand Ledge community.