The Maple Queen Pageant Returns to Highland County in 2024

The Highland County Chamber of Commerce is proud to be hosting the 2024 Maple Queen Pageant, Saturday, February 10 at 7 p.m. at the Highland County High School.

I had the opportunity to sit down with Highland County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Chris Swecker to discuss the pageant and some of the exciting additions after last year’s hiatus.

“We’re excited to have the pageant return this year. As a little bit of background, the Highland County Chamber of Commerce collaborated back in the fall of 2023 with Highland County Public Schools to survey eligible participants in the public school system, as well as homeschoolers, with the purpose of gathering input about a 2024 Maple Queen Pageant,” said Swecker.  “And thankfully, we had really good responses from that, and we now have six outstanding contestants that are going to be in the pageant to be ambassadors and role models for the community.”

Swecker continued, “This is also a bit of a transition year, as everyone knows Robin Warner has been a long time coordinator and supporter of the Maple Queen Pageant, and we thank her for all of her years of service. We have a new, core subcommittee this year and it’s made up of past helpers and even participants and pageant royalty. That subcommittee is made up of Lori Botkin, Miriam Foster, Brittany Gumm, Tabitha Ulmer, and AMR’s own Scott Smith. From the Chamber’s perspective, we also have board member Missy Moyers-Jarrells and our executive assistant Madge Vosteen who have been doing excellent work at bringing everything together.”

Vosteen shared more about how the pageant was changing to further enrich the lives of the girls participating.

“So we have a wonderful group of girls representing all of the grades at the high school. They are all involved in their school activities, be it with playing sports or cheering or the FFA or class officers. They are also deeply involved in their community with 4H and church activities and even camp counselors.” 

“For this year we do have a new focus, and that is a $500 scholarship for the queen. This academic scholarship was raised by our local maple syrup producers. The first and second runners up will enjoy cash prizes, also sponsored by local businesses.”

Vosteen continued, “So we invite everyone to this community activity to come out on February 10 at 7 p.m. There is an admission, it’s $5 for adults, $2 for ages six to twelve, and free under six.”