From left are Mountain State Forest Festival Queen’s Department Assistant Hannah Shiflett, Queen’s Department Assistant Lisa Shaffer, Maid Silvia LXXXV Anna Marie Ruf and Queen’s Department Director Megan Casto.

ELKINS — The forging of friendships and making of memories were set in motion with the official introduction of Maid Silvia LXXXV Anna Marie Ruf and her Maids of Honor Miriam Christienne Fath and Sophia Ann Shoemaker. The time-honored Mountain State Forest Festival tradition of a welcoming reception took place June 4 at historic Halliehurst mansion on the Davis & Elkins College campus.

The three young women were appointed to the festival royal court by Director General Jon Morgan, who welcomed festival officials, families and invited friends to the afternoon event. The theme of this year’s Forest Festival is “Endlessly Wild and Wonderful.”

The first Maid Silvia from Barbour County, Ruf, 22, is the daughter of Eric and Jana Ruf of Belington. She is the granddaughter of the late Robert and Joan Donaldson and the late Henry “Bud” and Phyllis Ruf.

Ruf said that while most of her recent Forest Festival experiences took place on the Davis & Elkins campus, she recalled many memories, including attending the Grand Feature Parade from earlier years.

“I would look at the maids of honor and Queen Silvia and dream about being one of them,” Ruf said.

Maid of Honor Miriam Christienne Fath, center, is flanked by her mother, Tracy Fath, and her father, Rick Fath.

As a member of “The Pride of Barbour County” Philip Barbour band, Ruf performed during Forest Festival parades and the Jack Basil Band Field Competition. In 2022, she served as a MSFF princess.

“I had the opportunity to observe Queen Silvia’s experience last year and see the true connection to West Virginia,” Ruf said. “I can’t wait to serve as Maid Silvia the 85th.”

Ruf is a 2023 magna cum laude graduate of Davis & Elkins College with a degree in secondary math education and a 2019 graduate of Philip Barbour High School. She plans to pursue a career as an eighth-grade math teacher and obtain a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction.

She is a member of the Asbury United Methodist Church, where she sings in the choir and is involved in the children’s ministry and is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Fath told the group that while growing up in Elkins, her favorite part of the Forest Festival was when the royal court made their rounds to visit students in Randolph County schools. She said her grandmother helped organize the events which guaranteed her a front-row seat and picture with royalty.

Maid of Honor Sophia Ann Shoemaker, center, is flanked by her mother, Christie Shoemaker, and her father, Chad Shoemaker.

She remembers her first school tour visit at Shining Light preschool, where she and Shoemaker were students and sang “Country Roads” for Maid Silvia and her court.

“Sophia and I have been friends since then and I can’t wait to share this experience with her,” Fath said.

Fath is the daughter of Rick and Tracy Fath of Elkins. She is the granddaughter of Holt and Sue Chenoweth of Elkins, Tom and Connie Fletcher of Pinehurst, North Carolina, and Michel and Marinette Fath of Lausanne, Switzerland. She has two brothers, Hunter and Levi Fath.

A 2023 graduate of Elkins High School, she will be a freshman at West Virginia University this fall where she will major in political science and pre-law with plans to continue to law school.

Shoemaker said that when she was asked if she would like to serve as a maid of honor, she replied with a firm, “yes,” ready again to experience the excitement of participating in the royal court.

From left, Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco, Maid Silvia LXXXV Anna Marie Ruf and Paula Marco join together for a photo during the reception.

“I was a jester in the 80th Forest Festival and I felt sad when the week came to an end,” Shoemaker said. “Now I can’t wait to embark on another Festival experience.”

Shoemaker is the daughter of Chad and Christie Shoemaker of Elkins. She is the granddaughter of Patricia Corley of Elkins, the late Curtis Corley and the late Bud and Elsie Shoemaker. She has one sister, Sara Shoemaker.

The 2023 Elkins High School valedictorian, Shoemaker will be a freshman and Presidential Scholar at West Virginia Wesleyan College this fall majoring in biochemistry. She hopes to later attend medical school.

Ruf, Fath and Shoemaker thanked the Forest Festival Queen’s Department, Board of Directors and Assistant Directors for their time and effort in planning activities, and their parents for their support.

Ruf will be crowned Queen Silvia in a regal ceremony attended by her maids of honor, minor court and 40 princesses at 2 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Citizens Bank of West Virginia Amphitheatre on the campus of Davis & Elkins College. The 85th Mountain State Forest Festival will take place from Sept. 30 through Oct. 8 throughout Elkins.

Maid Silvia LXXXV Anna Marie Ruf and Mountain State Forest Festival Director General Jon Morgan smile during the reception.