Four Bridgeport High School alumni will be among the princesses being honored at this year’s Mountain State Forest Festival.  The festival started in 1930 as a way to honor the natural resources of West Virginia and has grown each year bringing nearly 200,000 tourists to the Elkins area.  As  the oldest festival in the state, it hosts over 100 events from September 27 to October 5, including competitions, art shows, a carnival and the Grand Feature Parade.  The festival has strong ties to the agriculture and foresty industries, which is reflected in the many exhibitions and demonstrations around town. Forty Princesses are appointed from around the state by state dignitaries and this year Maid Silvia’s Court will include four of our own.

 

Appointed by WV Secretary of State Natalie Tennant, Stout is the daugher of Terry and Carol Stout and graduated in 2014 from BHS.  She was a 4-year honor roll student, part of the U.S. Achievement Academy, and a Representative for NRECA West Virginia National Youth Leadership.  She is an active member of Harrison County 4-H and volunteers monthly at Clarksburg Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.  As a country music singer, Stout is currently working with a producer in Nashville, Tennessee.  She is attending Marshall University pursuing a degree in the medical field

Catherine Moore was appointed to the Royal Court by Speaker of the House Tim Miley.  She is the daughter of Carl Moore and Jeannie Jewell and also graduated from BHS in 2014.  She was an active member of RAZE and Key Club and attended Rhododendron Girls State and the Democratic Youth Leadership Academy.  She is a member of the Harrison County Young Democrats and Democratic Women and attending WVU, majoring in Poiitical Science and Social Work.

 

Director General Ben Shaffer appointed Jordin Wilcher to the court this year.  Wilcher is the daughter of Timothy and Susan Miley of Bridgeport and Chad and Michelle Wilcher.  During high school, WIlcher served as Chairwoman of the West Virginia High School Young Democrats.  She was also active in RAZE, Teen Institute, and the Youth Leadership Association.  Wilcher was a member of the National Honor Society and attended Rhododendron Girls State and also served as a West Virginia House of Delegates Page.  She is majoring in Biomedical Engineering at WVU.

 

Mia Gresak was appointed to Maid Silvia’s court by Senator Doug Facemire.  She is the daughter of Tina and Ronald Gresak and graduated from BHS in 2012.  Currently attending Davis and Elkins College, she is a member of Sigma Beta Delta: International Honor Society in Business Management and Administration.  She is also involved with the National Society of Leadership and Success.  She is part of D&E’s Honor’s Council and works on the college newspaper and yearbook.  Recently, she was appointed secretary for the Phi Beta Lamda Business Association and has received Academic Achievement Awards from the Department of Business and Entrepreneurship.  Gresak was awarded several prestigious scholarships and is currently pursuing a degree in Accounting and Business Management, with a certification in Forensic Accounting.

 

As princesses, the girls will be expected to live with host families in the Elkins area and make appearances throughout the week.  The spotlight is on them as they do community service and attend the Coronation of Queen Silvia, followed by the Queens Ball on Oct. 3. Bridgeport is honored to have these girls representing them, showcasing the leadership and academic skills we are so proud of.