Fall is quickly approaching and with it comes Wagner’s most impressive mobilization of community, the annual Wagner Labor Day celebration.

We would like to present to you the seven Labor Day Queen candidates. But, before we do this, we will discuss the context in which we present them.

First of all, why do we choose a Labor Day Queen anyway, why all the fuss? I would suggest that this process puts us in contact with the power of Fairy Tales. One of the purposes of a Fairy Tale is to teach a moral message for the listener in which truth prevails over lies, generosity comes to be rewarded, obstacles are overcome by hard work, good triumphs over evil and mercy and kindness are the greatest powers. Perhaps, this is a tradition worth safe-guarding for future generations?

Four years ago Boys & Girls Club teamed up with Labor Day to re-imagine this event. Our desire was to support young women on their way to womanhood. Research consistently indicates that women are made for relationships and when supported they thrive. The inverse of this feminine genius for relationships is something called relational aggression. Relational aggression is a learned behavior in which girls use the exclusion from relationships to bully and hurt one another. So, we discerned, why not use the platform of the Labor Day Queen Event to build a culture of connection and support among the young women of Wagner? To this end we decided to frame the Labor Day Queen Candidacy within the context of the relationships that have most positively influenced each candidate. Therefore we present each candidate within the context of her most supportive female mentor relationship. Please meet the following candidates: Kennedy Court and her late grandmother Paula Tuttle ~ Kennedy states that Grandma Paula taught her what true strength looks like.

Sabrina Kreber and her mother Amy Blaha ~ Sabrina states the her mom has taught her to be humble. She says she has also taught her about self control.

Jennifer Barnett and her sister Margaret Honomichl ~ Jennifer states the her sister rises above the opinions of others and cares for all.

Macy Koupal and her mother, Terra Koupal ~ Macy states that her mother encourages hard work. She says her mother is kind and unselfish and puts others before herself.

Aubrey Medricky and her mother Miranda Medricky ~ Aubrey states that her mother is hard working, kind and beautiful. She says her mother supports her in anything she does.

McKenzie Fuchs and her aunt, Shelly O’Connor ~ McKenzie states that her Aunt Shelly listens to her regarding the issues she faces and helps her through them and is always there for her.

Stephanie Atencio and her mother Charisse Redlightning ~ Steph states that her mother cares about how she treats other people. She says her mother is always up to talk with her and helps her through the hard days.

Please come out to meet the candidates and their mentors on Friday, September 1st at 7:30 p.m. located at the Wagner Armory. We have a special program planned which will highlight the girls and their business sponsors in a video presentation. We will once again crown a Labor Day Queen as we celebrate all our candidates.

If you happen to encounter any of the Labor Day Committee members consider thanking them for their service to our community.