For Kristen Broyles, Sept. 15 was an emotion-filled day.On her way to the Wright City Strassenbash Festival parade in the morning, Broyles and her brother Brandon encountered a family involved in a motor vehicle accident. The Broyleses stopped to help comfort the family before scrambling to the parade.“I didn’t even care if I made it to the parade,” said Broyles. “My main focus was to help them and make sure everybody was OK.”Fast forward to the evening, and Kristen was again experiencing deep emotions as she was crowned the 2018 Strassenbash Queen.“I worked really hard, and I know now that it paid off,” said Broyles, who was excited to continue her family lineage.Her older sister, Courtney, won the honor in 2002, before competing again in 2004.“It meant a lot to me, because I was following in her footsteps, doing what big sister does,” said Broyles, who beat out three other contestants for the crown.Alauna Paul was named first runner-up, while Suzy Ellis was awarded second runner-up. Madison Love earned the honor of Miss Congeniality.Among the judged portions were the pageant walk, formal dress, speech and interview. Broyles did 49 hours of community service and also spent time at her sponsor location, First State Community Bank. Her speech was a look into the Horizons program offered through the bank.“It was a great accomplishment, and she was following in my footsteps,” said Courtney. “I’m just really proud of her for putting the amount of effort she has put into this. She’s done tremendous work with the community service.”Broyles says she strived to do more than necessary to help herself stand out among the crowd, in an effort to make her family proud. Part of that effort included selling 810 tickets to the festival.“I just did more than what I had to do,” said Broyles. “My family was there to support me, and they called people. The most one person bought was a hundred, and that meant a lot, because that was my aunt.”So what’s next for Broyles?“I’m really excited, because I heard that we get to have tea parties with little kids,” said Broyles. “I spent my life around little kids and am good with them, so I’m looking forward to that.”

Kristen Broyles reacts to the announcement of being chosen as the 2018 Strassenbash Queen during the coronation ceremony held on Saturday, Sept. 15. 

Record photo/Derrick Forsythe

Contestants in the Strassenbash queen contest wait for the announcement of the winners during the coronation ceremony held on Saturday, Sept. 15, at the Wright City Lion's Club. 

Record photo/Derrick Forsythe