Queen contestant Anna Crown and her little miss spat contestants Holden Sweeden and Charlee O’Bryan have been working on a project that aims to raise awareness with younger generations about the symptoms of a stroke and the actions to take when one occurs. The project is in honor of Anna’s grandmother, who suffered a stroke while babysitting Anna.
Despite only being 7 at the time, Anna was able to save her grandmother’s life due to her previous knowledge of the symptoms and how to respond. This experience inspired Anna to help younger generations also understand what to do in case they are ever in a similar situation.
Anna and her spats are running their awareness campaign in local schools and community events. The contestants’ fundraising efforts will go towards improving the lives of people with disabilities in the county by making public spaces of activity more enjoyable for all. They will purchase and facilitate installation of handicap accessible equipment — such as handicap swings for the playgrounds in Deltaville and Urbanna.
They also plan to provide mobility assistance devices for the Ricky Taylor Memorial Pool in Deltaville. To keep up with their project follow their Facebook page: Anna and Charlee Queen and Spat Competition.
Anna Crown is the daughter of Michelle and Bubbie Crown, granddaughter of Rochelle Payne and the late Bobby Payne, and Mary Almond and the late John Crown. She lives in Wake and attends Middlesex High School. She enjoys spending time with her friends, family, and animals, as well as baking and playing tennis. Crown also enjoys her work with the Colonial Seaport Foundation, where she volunteers as an educator raising awareness about maritime history.
She plans to attend college to study education and to become an elementary school teacher. Her favorite part of competing so far has been spending time with her spats and making a difference in the community.
Little miss spat contestant, Holden Sweeden, is the daughter of Tasha and Jessica Sweeden; granddaughter of Mike and Lupe Sweeden and Alfis and Pam Jones. She enjoys going to the beach, making art, and playing soccer. When she grows up, she wants to be a lifeguard and Lego engineer. Her favorite part of competing so far has been helping make cake pops for the Urbanna Farmers Market bake sale with Anna and Charlee.
Charlee O’Bryan is the daughter of Heather Killian, granddaughter of the late Barbara Killian and the late Charles Akers, and Reese O’Bryan. She enjoys riding her bike, swimming, gardening and fishing. When she grows up, she wants to be a teacher. Her favorite part of competing so far has been spending time with Anna and Holden, especially playing putt-putt golf at Bethpage Camp-Resort.
