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Brylee Sturd click image to enlarge

By Rama Peroo
Cowley College

With her mother, grandmother and aunt having been selected as Queen Alalah candidates before her, Brylee Sturd is following in her family's footsteps, as she is one of the five finalists for Queen Alalah LXXV.

Crowning will take place at 8 p.m. Oct. 27, in the Robert Brown Theatre on Cowley's Arkansas City campus.

Sturd's grandmother, Terry Eaton, mother, LeeAnn Eaton, and aunt, Stacy Eaton Tener, are all former Queen Alalah candidates.

After the announcement of the five finalists was made, Brylee's paternal grandmother had an interesting bit of history of her own.

In 1935 her mother was one of the visiting queens, so the Arkalalah tradition is on both sides of the family.

Sturd, a 2005 graduate of Arkansas City High School, is the daughter of John and LeeAnn Sturd.

She credits her parents with being very involved and supportive.

"My parents have taught me so much," Sturd said. "They have taught me to love life."

The sophomore elementary major at Cowley has three sisters, Jancye, 19, Missy, 17, and Karlye, 15, and a brother, Michael, 17.

Grandparents are Terry and the late Lyle Eaton, of Arkansas City, and Lynn and Susie Woodworth, of Arkansas City. Great-grandmothers are Marjory Hodkin and Pearl Eaton, both of Arkansas City.

At Cowley, Sturd is a Student Ambassador and is serving as the manager for the Lady Tiger volleyball team for the second straight year. She also participates in Campus Christian Fellowship.

Sturd's family has been taking part in the Arkalalah festivities since before she was born.

"My mom's family owns Midwest-Electric Supply on Summit and we always park our chairs and blankets up there for the whole three day celebration watching parades," Sturd said. "Then we head up town to the food booths and carnival."

Being one of the five finalists for Queen Alalah LXXV is a dream come true for Sturd.

"I think every Ark City girl dreams of being Queen Alalah, but I never thought I would be one of the finalists," Sturd said.

Graduating from ACHS, Sturd thought about going to Kansas State University, but decided to come to Cowley.

"I have grown up around the school and love all the people here," Sturd said. "It's been amazing."

Sturd said her experience at Cowley has helped prepare her for the future.

"I have grown up a lot and socialize more," Sturd said. "I think I am more outgoing and like to try to help people."

Away from Cowley, she enjoys spending time with friends and serves as a Fellowship Christian Athlete Huddle Leader.

Sturd, who played volleyball and basketball all four years at ACHS, hopes to become a school teacher and volleyball coach.

"I love to be around kids and think it would be awesome to be a coach," Sturd said.

But for now, she is looking forward to the coronation ceremony.

"I am excited," Sturd said. "It's going to be a great experience."