FOR THIS YEAR'S NC APPLE FESTIVAL   C

Miranda Rachel Burleson has been named 2017 Apple Ambassador for the North Carolina Apple Festival.

The Apple Ambassador represents the festival and at other events across the State. Each year, the Festival selects its Ambassador from local rising high school seniors.

Burleson attends North Henderson High and is the daughter of Andrea Staton-Jacklin and Chris Burleson.

Students are required to submit their transcripts, list of activities, provide letters of recommendation and write an essay on the Apple Festival and the importance of the apple industry to this area.

The Apple Ambassador is selected based on this information and through an interview process.

The Apple Ambassador and runner-up are awarded the Evelyn Lutz Hill Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship honors Hill, who served as the secretary of the North Carolina Apple Growers for many years. She was serving as president of the festival when she died in 2004.

The runner-up is Alexandra “Lexi” M. Iurato of West Henderson High. She is the daughter of Bob Iurato and the late Tracy Iurato.

Other participants this year were:

--Lauren Alecia Maybin of East Henderson High

--Sydney Noel Allison of East Henderson High

--Viginia Frances Teel of Hendersonville High

--Emma Coston Laughter of Hendersonville High

--Annie Grace Plott of North Henderson High

--Shannon Elizabeth Sellers of West Henderson High