for the News-Tribune
FORT ASHBY — Fort Ashby resident Alicia Ruth Taylor has been chosen to reign as Queen Silvia LXXIII of the Mountain State Forest Festival Sept. 26-Oct. 4, 2009, in Elkins.
Daughter of Linda Taylor-Adams and Jeffrey Adams, and the late Patrick W. Taylor, Maid Taylor says she is thrilled with being selected as the 73rd Mountain State Forest Festival’s Queen Silvia.
“I am humbled and honored that I will follow in the footsteps of a family member who previously reigned as a Mountain State Forest Festival queen,” stated Taylor. “My cousin, Jennifer (Taylor) Wotring, was crowned Queen Silvia LVIII in 1994 and I know what a special event that was for the entire family.
“My aunt, Cassandra (Taylor) Riffle, served as princess in the 1984 royal court.”
The 18-year-old redhead and future forest monarch is a 4.0 sophomore scholar at Allegany College of Maryland, pursuing a major in radiologic technology. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa.
A 2008 graduate of Frankfort High School, Taylor was a member of the Lady Falcon basketball team and Frankfort Falcon marching and concert bands. Inducted into the National Honor Society, Maid Silvia received designation to Who’s Who Among American High School Students.
Active in 4-H, Taylor is a Mineral County “I Dare You” Award recipient, the highest honor granted to a 4-Her at a county level, and has received her 4-H Charting Pin.
A sports enthusiast, Maid Silvia attends West Virginia University football games and Penguins hockey games, and is a big fan of the North Carolina Tar Heel basketball team.
She also enjoys baking, reading, dirt track racing and scrapbooking.
A member of the Annunciation of our Lord Catholic Church in Fort Ashby, Taylor is a former member of the church choir. She is a former Energy Express volunteer.
The future queen is the granddaughter of Kermit and Ruth Bonner of Red Creek, Hilda Adams of Fort Ashby, the late Robert G. Adams, and the late George W. “Bill” and Helen Taylor. She has one sister, Kimberly Adams.
“My family is excited about sharing the esteemed Forest Festival experience with the citizens of Randolph County and the many festival patrons who annually attend the week-long occasion,” Taylor said.
“It’s already been an incredible journey and I haven’t even attended the first event. Festival organizers are to be commended for all the volunteerism that’s dissolved into the Mountain State Forest Festival, a celebration of the conservation and preservation of the state’s resources, alongside amazing pageantry.”
Taylor will become Queen Silvia LXXIII at her royal coronation scheduled for Friday, Oct. 2, at the outdoor amphitheater on the campus of Davis & Elkins College.
Accompanied by Maids of Honor Heidi Hamrick and Erin Keller, 40 princesses from throughout West Virginia and the royal minor court, Maid Silvia will receive her crown from Gov. Joe Manchin III.
“One of the highlights of serving as director general is the selection and appointment of Queen Silvia,” stated Bob Woolwine.
“We all join in welcoming and honoring Alicia and her family for the celebration of the 73rd Mountain State Forest Festival.
“Enthusiastic, with a contagious and unforgettable smile, our new Maid Silvia is sure to win the hearts of festival goers at The Glory of Autumn celebration,” he added.
Maid Silvia Alicia Ruth Taylor will be presented as the guest of honor at a Queen’s Announcement Reception on May 24th at Graceland Inn & Conference Center.
The 2009 schedule of events for the 73rd Mountain State Forest Festival may be accessed online at www.forestfestival.com.
Fort Ashby, W.Va. —
