FAITH — Soon after Wednesday’s Fourth of July parade in Faith, Peyton McKenna Berry was chosen as the new Miss Rowan County Veteran.

Berry is a rising senior at East Rowan High School and represented the Vanhoy-Sells VFW Post 9134.

“I can’t wait to spend my upcoming year with all of you,” Berry told the many American Legion representatives and military veterans who were present.

Peyton is the daughter of Micah and Candice Berry, and she plans to pursue a career in orthotics and prosthetics.

Berry succeeds last year’s Miss Rowan County Veteran, Rikki Goodman.

“It’s been a pretty amazing year,” Goodman said of the experience.

Bailey Hoesman, also of East Rowan High and representing Miller-Russell Post 112, was runner-up in the Miss Rowan County Veteran field of eight contestants.

They represented various Legion, AMVETS and VFW posts.

Other contestants included Emma Grace Amos, Lauren Coughenour, Rebekah Lippard, Bayley Atkinson, Jamie Minehart and Briana Richmond.

Judges also announced the float winners for the 2018 parade.

To the Pointe dance won for best amateur float.

The Preschool of the Performing Arts was judged as having the best overall float.

The Post will report on the winner of Wednesday night’s “Faith Idol” competition in a later edition.