2010 WVFD Queen Alison Bentley

      The Wayne Volunteer Fire Department would like to announce the winner of the 2010 Wayne VFD Queen's Contest . Ms. Alison Bentley, a Sophomore at Elmwood High School, daughter of Thomas and JoAnna Bentley, Wayne, Ohio was selected to be the 2010 WVFD Queen. Ali will go on to compete in the larger NOVFA Queens Contest in June for additional scholarship funds. There are over 150 volunteer fire departments in Northwest Ohio that belong to the NOVFA association.

      To be selected as the Wayne Fire Queen and her court, young ladies must be between the ages of 16-18 or graduating senior, and must live in the Wayne Fire District. The application process is completed, and the contest occurs in early April. Young fire district ladies are selected to interview with a panel of judges from the community, and earn a place in the top spots as the Queen, and 1st & 2nd, runners up. All Members of the Queens' court receive scholarships from the Wayne Fire Department for their community service.

      The contestants completed one-on-one interviews with three judges and also submitted a written essay on the life of women in the firefighting profession. At the completion of the interviews, it was announced that Alison Bentley was named the 2010 Wayne VFD Queen, earning her top spot in the contest for her skills in interviewing and essay composition. Two additonal Elmwood students were selected in the contest as the Wayne Volunteer Fire Department Queen’s court during the same essay/interview selection process . They are Katie Reiser, Elmwood Senior and daughter of Kelli and Kyle Reiser of Wayne, and Elizabeth "Liz" Kreais a Junior at Elmwood, daughter of Michael and Doreen Kreais of Wayne. Look for these lovely three ladies throughout the summer at festivals, events and local parades.

      The Wayne Volunteer Fire Department wishes to thank all the contestants for their participation and interest in serving their community in this capacity. We look forward to having each of these ladies represent the Wayne Fire Department for the 2010 year at local and regional events. The Wayne Fire Department and the Elmwood community are very proud of Alison Bentley, Katie Reiser, and Liz Kreais and we congratulate each of these young ladies on their honors. Congratulations to all of these young ladies!

      The Wayne Fire Department is also very proud of our 2008 and 2009 Wayne VFD Queen, Vanessa Schwind of Wayne, also the winner of the 2008 NOVFA Queen title, and thanks her for representing not only the Wayne Fire Department, but also Elmwood and the Village of Wayne in this capacity. We wish her well on her future plans after high school graduation. The Wayne Volunteer Fire Department also wishes to thank Vanessa for her achievements, and excellent participation in the local events serving the communtity and Northwest Ohio Volunteer Fireman's Association.

2008 NOVFA Queen Vanessa Schwind	2010 WVFD Queen Contestants Katie Reiser, Alison Bentley, and Elizabeth Kreais