Kayla Simmons Of Doe Hill, Va Is The 47th Annual Maple Queen

Monterey, VA – Kayla Simmons of Doe Hill, VA is the 47th Annual Maple Queen. Caitlyn Ralston of Blue Grass, VA and Mary Kate Cobb of Hightown, VA were chosen as Maple Princesses. These young ladies were chosen from a field of 8 contestants during the Maple Queen Pageant on February 26th. Maple Queen Pageant volunteer Tracy Chapman was chosen as this year’s Miss Congeniality.

This is the first year that Simmons had entered the contest.

“The reason why I entered the pageant was to basically have fun with my friends” says Simmons.

The contestants had to publicly speak in front of a hometown crowd, and were chosen by a panel of 3 judges. The judges asked the contestants a wide array of questions. Ralston recalls one question in particular the judges asked her.

“One of the questions that the judges asked me was who has played a big part in my life” says Ralston. “Erica Whitelaw, because she is a mom of 3, and she has been my mother and has taught me a lot about myself and who I am.”

The Maple Queen pageant allows young women to put their best foot forward in a public arena. Cobb reflects on the experiences she can take away by entering the pageant.

“I feel from being in the pageant that I can take away public speaking” says Cobb, “because you have to talk in front of a large crowd. And you also are more confident.”

You can catch the Maple Queen Court out and about during the 53rd Annual Highland County Maple Festival March 12-13th and 19-20th. Maple Queen Simmons is looking forward to the festival.

“The thing I’m looking forward to most about the Maple Festival is going around the and seeing the different aspects of the community that I’ve never seen before” says Simmons.

Congratulations to the 2011 Maple Queen Court and all contestants that entered the contest.