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Washington Evening Journal
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Washington, IA 52353
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Sweet Sixteen Contestants
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
Sweet Sixteen contestants are the official hostesses of Midwest Old Threshers Reunion. This year, 21 Sweet Sixteen contestants will take on this role.
Each contestant volunteers throughout the Old Threshers grounds by assisting guests, answering questions, and lending a helping hand to nonprofit organizations’ booths. The girls, who must be 16 years old during the Reunion, are judged on their volunteerism, a presentation along with an interview, knowledge of Old Threshers, and their overall hospitality.
The Sweet Sixteen contestants make their first appearance at the Harvest Parade, Wednesday, Aug. 27 and can be spotted throughout the Reunion weekend at the Carousel, the Paul Anderson Building, and strolling the grounds in the period dress for women of the late 1800s to early 1900s who lived in the Midwest and worked on local farms.
The 2025 Sweet Sixteen and court will be crowned at the end of the Reunion on Monday, Sept. 1 in the Family Tent.
Beatrice Anderson — Winfield, IA
Parents: Kelly Anderson
Beatrice is very active in her school: art club (Council Member 2024-2025), Crochet Club, Student Leadership Council, Pep Club, National Honor Society, FFA (Vice President 2024-2025), Football and Basketball Manager, Silver Cord, Yearbook, and Group/Individual Speech. Besides being active in school, Beatrice is involved with 4H (President of her club), Teen Council, Clover Kids coleader and the 2024 Henry County Junior Fair Queen. Beatrice is a camp counselor for the Iowa School of the Blind. Beatrice’s interests are in agriculture, animals, working with kids, volunteering, baking, sewing and raising goats.
Beatrice has been coming to Old Threshers since she was a young child. Her birthday always falls during the Reunion, so Old Threshers is always a part of her celebration. Beatrice started out volunteering at the Pork Tent when she was in the fourth grade. As soon as she was old enough, she started volunteering on the ground train.
Beatrice believes that being Miss Sweet 16 would be an honor because it would allow her to combine her two favorite things, volunteering and meeting new people. Not only would she be able to showcase the Reunion to new and old visitors, but she would also gain a wealth of knowledge by getting to know some of the visitors. She would also like to show other girls that you never know what opportunities may come your way if you are not afraid to take chances and step out of your comfort zone.
Courtney Andreasen — Mt. Pleasant, IA
Parents: Lara and Jeremy Andreasen
Other than cheer, Courtney is on the high school dance team and dances at Niki K’s Dance Company. She runs track in the spring for the Mt. Pleasant Community High School. Courtney enjoys staying involved at her church, keeping up with school, as well as doing crafts and hands on projects. Spending time with family and friends along with being outside with her dogs.
During the Reunion, Courtney stays busy working at the Faith Lutheran Church tent, serving beef and noodles and delicious pies.
Courtney would like to be the next Sweet Sixteen because she wants to be one of the big girls in the pretty dresses that the little girls are inspired by and look up to just like the older girls did for her when she was little.
Hailey Blackford — Norwalk, IA
Parents: Andrew and April Blackford
Hailey is involved with tennis, trap shooting and FFA for the Indianola, Iowa School District.
Hailey has been involved with Old Threshers by helping in the campground with the ground train. She volunteered at Vera’s Souvenir Stand and has been a part of Tractorland for a couple of years.
Hailey has wanted to be the next Sweet 16 ever since she was a little girl. She always looked up to the girls that were a part of the Sweet 16 Program. She would like to inspire all the little girls at this year’s Reunion. It’s also a chance for her to step out of her comfort zone and meet a lot of new people. Her sister, Mackenzie, participated in the program and said it was one of the best experiences she has had, and hopes it is for Hailey as well.
Naomi English — Mt. Pleasant, IA
Parents: Steven and JoKasta English
Naomi likes music, singing and performing. She is a part of her school’s show choir, chamber choir and soccer team. She enjoys floristry and gardening, going on adventures and seeing car shows.
Naomi has not previously volunteered at Midwest Old Threshers, but she does enjoy returning each year and participating in the festivities.
Naomi’s ultimate goal is not to win or be crowned but instead it is to grow herself as an individual and to contribute to a positive experience at Midwest Old Threshers.
Paige Heims — Anamosa, IA
Parents: Dustin and Kayla Heims
Paige is a part of her school’s archery club; she has participated in soccer and recently joined the wrestling team. She has belonged to a 4-H Club for many years and belongs to FFA where she is the treasurer. Some of Paige’s interests are welding, restoring Farmall tractors, driving teams of horses and riding.
Paige participated in the Tractorland kiddie pulls when she was little. She has participated in the Cavalcade of Power her entire life. In the past two years, she has volunteered with the ground trains. In 2024, she had the opportunity to drive a team of horses in the sawmill demonstrations.
Ever since Paige was little it was a childhood dream of hers to participate in the Miss Sweet 16 contest. She wants to share her experiences and knowledge of the Reunion with other people.
Alexis Hellweg — Mt. Pleasant, IA
Parents: Molly Brimmer and Cody Hellweg
Alexis enjoys outdoor activities, working with children (with hopes of being a teacher), swimming and gymnastics.
During the Reunion she did not volunteer but helped support Old Threshers through her time at the Thrashers House of Terror where she volunteered over 100 hours and at the Festival of Lights at Santa’s House.
Alexis wants to be a part of the Sweet 16 program because she wants to become more knowledgeable about Old Threshers. She would like to be more efficient in communicating with others and just wants to be able to volunteer.
Annika Kerr — Mt. Pleasant, IA
Parents: Mike and Karla Kerr
Annika is involved with many activities through the Mt. Pleasant Community School District including cheerleading for football and basketball, competition cheer, performance dance team, competition dance team (9th and 10th grade) and youth art exhibitor (7th-10th grade).
Annika is a senior competitor for Niki K’s dance studio in Mt. Pleasant in the following categories: jazz, musical theatre, lyrical and solos. Annika was a Title Winner Quad Cities for Miss Iowa Nexstar 2024. She attends the Swedesburg Evangelical Lutheran church where she serves as an Acolyte. She was crowned Santa/Saint Lucia 2022 at the Swedish American Museum and Historical Society and Smorgasbord and helps with the pancake breakfast and other events for the museum. Annika plays Disney’s Princess Anna at Camp Reece for participants with disabilities and at the Revival Salon’s Princess Days.
Annika is a member of the Explorer Post 1846 and has been volunteering at the Log Village since she was in the 1st grade. She is a graduate of the Log Village’s one room schoolhouse (Oak Ridge). She has wonderful memories of making butter as a student and now teaches the children how to churn the butter. She enjoys helping with the Festival of Lights Holiday Stroll, hosting visitors at the Log Village. Annika has had lots of fun serving at Old Threshers church tents with her friend, Courtney, since she was in the 5th grade. Annika believes that when you give back, you always get more back because of the rewarding feelings and friendships made.
Old Threshers is Annika’s favorite time of year! She and her family never want the time to end. She has wanted to be Miss Sweet 16 since she was a little girl. She looked up to the Sweet 16 contestants, who she thought were princesses. She loved talking with them and taking pictures with them. She would like to be a role model, just like those girls were for her. Being a part of Sweet 16, she would like to help children and adults experience that history is fun, and everyone is welcome and can find a special place on the grounds to belong and become a part of the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion!
Sydney Kracht — New London, IA
Parents: Scott and Becky Kracht
Sydney likes volunteering at many school-related events; concessions for all sports events and helping with the younger children at events throughout the year.
Sydney hasn’t volunteered at the Reunion yet but has performed with the New London Marching Band at the Cavalcade of Power.
Sydney would like to be the next Sweet 16 because she would put the scholarship money toward her college tuition, but she also loves to help wherever she can and loves to meet new people and have new experiences.
Aliviah Lake — Mt. Pleasant, IA
Parents: Joshua McDade
Aliviah is involved with the FFA Chapter at Mt. Pleasant High School. She enjoys art, reading, crafting and baking.
Aliviah has been involved with Old Threshers by working at the Elk Tent.
Aliviah enjoys the environment Old Threshers creates, being able to be a part of the community is important to her. She feels like this would be a great experience to grow and learn.
Melaine Liechty — Hillsboro, IA
Parents: Danielle Liechty
Yuriy and Jade Matviyenka
Melaine is involved in many things at the Mt. Pleasant High School; cheerleading, marching and concert band, and show choir. When not busy with school activities, she enjoys dance, spending time with her bunnies and family and traveling to see family in other states. Recently she made the All-Star Cheer squad out of Burlington Iowa and is currently a Preppin Mama Sweetie.
Melaine has been involved at Old Threshers through volunteering at information booths and volunteering with the local FFA chapter. Recently she volunteered for the Thrashers House of Terror.
Melaine would like to be the next Sweet 16 to show girls that you can accomplish anything you put your mind to and that kindness matters, no matter how small the gesture.
Jolynn Martin — New London, IA
Parents: Sadie and Marcus Martin
Jolynn is involved in softball, band, silver cord and 4-H. She enjoys horseback riding, volunteering and exercising. Jolynn enjoys helping with the 3 -year- old room at her church. She also likes animals and taking care of others.
Jolynn has been attending the Old Threshers Reunion ever since she can remember. Last year she had the opportunity to work for Uncle Brian’s Ice Cream. She would like to be more involved in the future.
Jolynn is participating in Sweet 16 so she can connect with others who she might not know, meet the other girls and staff, and meet people from different states. Jolynn would like to become more involved with Old Threshers and learn about the different areas of the Reunion.
Gabby McAllister — Fairfield, IA
Parents: Dan and Krista McAllister
Gabby has interests in swimming, kayaking, hiking, square dancing, hunting with her dad and taking care of the farm animals. She also is learning Korean and can solve Rubik’s cubes.
Gabby has attended Old Threshers since she was a little kid. Last year she volunteered on the ground train and was in the Cavalcade of Power.
Gabby would like to be the next Sweet 16 because she loves Old Threshers and wants to be more involved and represent the traditions. She thinks it would be a lot of fun and a great honor the be the next Sweet 16.
Cayleigh Osterhaus — Mt. Pleasant, IA
Parents: Casey and Andy Osterhaus
Cayleigh is involved in the band and color guard at Mt. Pleasant High School. She enjoys sculpture, traveling, doing hair, thrifting, and baking. She also enjoys spending time with her family and outdoor activities such as swimming, kayaking, and hiking.
Cayleigh has been involved with the Log Village for the past two years. She has been volunteering at the Thrashers House of Terror for three years. She has helped bake cakes for the Methodist Church tent and has performed with the Mt. Pleasant Marching Band at the start of the Cavalcade of Power.
Cayleigh has been attending Midwest Old Threshers since she could walk. She remembers always looking up to the Sweet 16 girls and always wanted to be one of them. Being Sweet 16 would open so many opportunities to meet new people and allow her to continue to help her community.
Annette Reynolds — Mt. Pleasant, IA
Parents: Mike and Amanda Reynolds
Annette is involved in dance, concert, marching, jazz and show bands, youth bowling and is a member of the high school bowling team, and soccer. She enjoys baking and cooking.
Annette has volunteered at Midwest Old Threshers in the First United Methodist Church food tent and volunteered at Thrashers House of Terror for the first time in the fall of 2024.
Growing up she’s always wanted to be a part of the Sweet 16 program. She is a social butterfly and would love to meet new people. She would also love to make lifelong memories and build a skill that can help her in the future.
Patience Sparks — Lewistown, MO
Parents: Traci and Johnny Sparks
Patience enjoys art, making jewelry, gardening and kayaking. Her interests also include antique tractors and electric trolleys.
Patience is a conductor on the Midwest Electric Railway.
Patience would like to be the next Sweet Sixteen because it would be a wonderful experience and for as long as she can remember she has always watched for the candidates and wanted to be one.
Linzy Striegel — Mt. Pleasant, IA
Parents: Jennifer and Shawn Striegel
Linzy is a very active sports enthusiast as she participates in four different sports for the Mt. Pleasant Panthers: cross-country, basketball, track and softball. Along with sports she also is in choir, show choir, the vice president of the Triple-C 4-H Club and volunteers at her church. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, being outside and reading books.
At Midwest Old Threshers she has been involved in numerous activities which include picking up trash on the grounds every morning of the Reunion with her basketball team, volunteering at St Al’s food tent, the Elk Tent, and working with her 4-H Club at the Pork Shoppe.
Being the next Sweet 16 would allow Linzy to deeply connect with her community’s heritage, celebrate the traditions that have shaped our town and represent the value it holds. Volunteering and helping people bring a great sense of accomplishment, not only to herself but the people around her. As Sweet 16 she would have the opportunity to engage with people of all ages, share stories and create lasting memories. Linzy is excited to be a role model for younger attendees and encourages their involvement in preserving our history. She would dedicate herself to spreading awareness and enthusiasm, ensuring that Midwest Old Threshers continues to thrive for generations to come.
Peyton Syfert — Mt. Pleasant, IA
Parents: Joe and Nicole Syfert
Peyton is a member of the Panther Marching Band and color guard. She enjoys working on her skills and learning new ones. She is involved in 4H where she shows swine and sheep. She really enjoys working with her animals each year. In her spare time, she likes to read, play games and spend time with family and friends.
Peyton has been involved at the First United Methodist Church tent each year along with the Old’s Church food stand under the grandstand. She has also volunteered at the Pork Tent for her FFA chapter.
Peyton would like to be a part of the Sweet 16 Program because it has been a tradition for her and her family to go to Old Threshers each year. She has made amazing memories with her family and friends and is excited to make more. Her mom was also a Sweet 16 candidate and has told her so many stories on how she enjoyed it. Peyton can’t wait to experience it herself and says it would be an honor to be a part of the tradition.
Emerson Syfert — Mt. Pleasant, IA
Parents: Joe and Nicole Syfert
Emerson is involved with 4-H, concert and jazz band and is a member of the Mt. Pleasant High School color guard. Emerson raises show sheep for the Henry County Fair. She also shows pigs. In her spare time, she enjoys riding her horse, reading and baking.
Emerson has volunteered at the Methodist Church Tent and the Old’s Church Food Stand under the grandstand. She has also worked at the Pork Tent with her FFA Chapter.
Emerson has enjoyed going around the grounds with her family and friends for as long as she can remember, so she would enjoy becoming a part of the Old Threshers’ history through the Sweet 16 program. Emerson is also proud to be a part of an attraction that is packed full of history and that brings many people together each year.
Isabella Traman — Mt. Pleasant, IA
Parents: Melia Liles
Isabella is involved at the Mt. Pleasant High School in theatre, Silver Cord, marching band, symphonic band, treble choir, show choir, and cheerleading for football and wrestling.
Isabella has volunteered at the Thrashers House of Terror and at the ticket gates during the Reunion for the last three years. She has also marched in the Harvest Day parade with the Panther Marching Band.
Isabella would like to be the next Sweet 16 because she has always loved going to the Reunion and seeing all the girls participate in the program. She also has a passion for volunteering and giving back to the community that has raised her, and she feels being a part of Sweet 16 will be amazing opportunity for her to continue to give back.
Lauryn Willham — Mt. Pleasant, IA
Parents: Jeff and Robyn Willham
Lauryn is involved at the Mt. Pleasant Community High School with the In Motion Show Choir, color guard, chamber choir and soccer team. Lauryn attends the First Presbyterian Church and is active in youth group and the youth bell choir.
During the Reunion, Lauryn has worked on the ground train and at the ticket gates. She also has helped at the Presbyterian Church’s annual spaghetti supper held prior to the start of the Reunion since she was a little girl.
Lauryn has attended the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion each year since she was born. She has always looked up to the Sweet 16 contestants and hoped to become a role model just like they have been to her. She would be honored to have the opportunity to participate in this special tradition.
Izabelle Zihlman — Mt. Pleasant, IA
Parents: John and Theresa Zihlman
Izabelle loves to stay active and involved in and out of school. In school, she is a football and basketball cheerleader. She is in the Chamber Choir and Show Choir along with being on the school dance team and is in competition dance. Izabelle also plays varsity golf and enjoys it very much. She loves fashion and is thankful for the opportunity to work at Sarah’s Bridal Gallery in Mt. Pleasant.
Izabelle has been involved in Old Threshers for the past few years. She has worked on the ground train and at the admission gates. Throughout her life, she has had the opportunity to camp on the grounds and it is something she looks forward to every year.
Izabelle wants to be the next Sweet 16 because she would love to experience a leadership role representing her community and to show all the little people out there that nothing is out of reach if they put in the work it takes to achieve their goals.
