The Inter-Mountain photos by Linda Howell Skidmore Maid Silvia LXXXVII Sterling Kump, seated center, is greeted by the Mountain State Forest Festival Board of Directors. From left are, seated, Executive Director Heidi Bray, Susie Kump, Kump, President Lydia Jones and Kathy Leombruno; standing, Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco, Steve Shepler, Ben Shaffer, Frank Santmyer, Bob Wamsley, Bill Hartman, state Sen. Robbie Morris, Cliff Marstiller, Hugh Hitchcock, Chad Shoemaker, Ray LaMora and Dr. Scott Harris.

ELKINS — Three young women officially began the next chapter in their Mountain State Forest Festival legacy as they descended the stairs at Grace Inn on the Davis & Elkins College campus to greet their families, friends and leaders of the autumn celebration. Taking center stage were Maid Silvia Sterling Anne Kump and Maids of Honor Ellyse Spencer Goddard and Macie Elizabeth Romero.

The formal announcement of Maid Silvia the 87th was sponsored by Graceland Inn and D&E Dining Services.

The future Queen Silvia is the daughter of Will and Amy Kump of Moorefield, and the granddaughter of Kerr and Susie Kump of Elkins and Dennis and Tonie Peterson of Marshfield, Wisconsin. She is also the great, great-granddaughter of former West Virginia Gov. Herman Guy Kump. She has two brothers, Cyrus and Reid, and one sister, Caroline.

“Growing up, the Mountain State Forest Festival was always a magical time of year,” Kump said. “Some of my fondest childhood memories include reuniting with my family in Elkins for the festival. There are 16 cousins. We would spend countless hours at the carnival, sometimes in the snow and other times in the summer heat. We would march down Kerens Hill in search of the best parade seats and perfect funnel cake.

“Although the parades were a fan favorite in our family, the coronation was always my personal favorite,” Kump said. “I remember looking up to past Queens with admiration, never imaging that one day I would have the chance to walk in their footsteps.”

Mountain State Forest Festival Assistant Directors greet Maid Silvia LXXXVII Sterling Kump seated center. From left are, seated, Jennifer Morgan, Director General Lisa Shaffer, Kump, Director of the Queen’s Department Megan Casto and Ashley Godwin; standing, Whitney Morris, Derek Wetsch, Karrah Washington, Todd Riggleman, Keith Corley, Tamara Denmark Bailey, Tracy Gooden, Jeff Skidmore, Zach Elbon and Deputy Director Nathaniel Bonnell.

Kump traces her Mountain State Forest Festival roots back to her great-grandfather, Cyrus S. Kump, who served as Director General in 1933, 1950 and 1951. He was also one of the three organizers of the West Virginia Highlanders, which has a long-standing tradition of leading the Grand Feature Parade.

Her Forest Festival legacy continued with her grandmother, Susie Kump, who was director of the Queen’s Department in 1990 and 1991 and is the co-founder and president of the Maple Leaf Society. Her mother was a Flower Girl in 1984; her aunt Ann Kump Lewis was a Flower Girl in 1985 and a Princess in 1997; and her aunt Elizabeth Kump Conlan was a Maid of Honor in 1998.

Kump is also marking a milestone of her own as the first Maid Silvia from Moorefield.

A 2023 summa cum laude graduate of Moorefield High School, Kump will be a junior at the University of Kentucky this fall. She plans to continue her education by attending graduate school and pursuing a career as a health care professional.

Goddard, who served as crown bearer in the 77th Mountain State Forest Festival, said she never would have believed she would one day step into the role of Maid of Honor. Now, looking back on that time in her life, she has advice for her 5-year-old self.

Maid Silvia Sterling Kump, center, begins her journey of the 87th Mountain State Forest Festival along with her parents, Amy and Will Kump of Moorefield.

“If I could tell her anything, it would be to chase your dreams because here I am with this dream of mine coming true,” she said.

She is the daughter of Scott Goddard and Amy Goddard and faithful supporters Sally Empfield and Pricilla Gay. She is the granddaughter of William and Carolyn Spencer of Port Deposit, Maryland, and Cloyd and Peg Goddard of Ligonier, Pennsylvania.

Goddard’s father served numerous years as an Assistant Director and as Director General in 2016.

A 2025 graduate of Elkins High School, Goddard will be a freshman this fall at Washington & Jefferson College, where she has been awarded an academic scholarship. She plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology and then pursue a master’s degree to prepare her for a career as a child life specialist.

“I’m excited to see bonds form with all of the court and people in the community,” Goddard said. “We’re starting this as strangers or acquaintances but will leave Festival Week with memories that will last a lifetime.”

Mountain State Forest Festival Director General Lisa Shaffer, right, announces the selection of, from left, Maid of Honor Macie Romero, Maid Silvia Sterling Kump and Maid of Honor Ellyse Goddard to serve in the 87th Royal Court.

Romero is the daughter of Brian and Beverly Romero of Elkins, and the granddaughter of Tim and Sharon Cooper of Elkins, the late William “Bill” Umbright and Danny and Bernice Linger of Norton. She has one brother, Josh.

Romero served as a jester in the 82nd Forest Festival, a week she remembers as being “filled with pure joy” and led her to understand the work that goes on behind the scenes.

“To be here again, years later, in this incredible role is nothing short of a dream come true,” she said. “I am so excited and thankful to experience this all over again from a new perspective.”

Her father has served as an Assistant Director for four years, and her mother has volunteered as a hair stylist for the Royal Court for more than 15 years. The Maid of Honor said observing the hard work and dedication her parents put into the events helped her shape a deep love for the festival.

“Some of my most treasured memories are tied to this week – the sound of music in the streets, the excitement of Main Silvia’s school visits, the sweet smell of carnival treats and the traditions of attending every parade, coronation and always making sure to grab a caramel apple on the way home,” Romero said.

Maid Silvia LXXXVII Sterling Kump, center, is congratulated by her grandparents Susie, a former director of the Queen’s Department, and Kerr Kump of Elkins.

A 2024 graduate of Elkins High School, Romero will be a sophomore at Fairmont State University this fall, where she is studying to become a nurse practitioner. She plans to then continue her education in cosmetology with the goal of working in a medical spa specializing in aesthetics.

Guests were welcomed to the announcement event and reception by Director General Lisa Shaffer to mark the “beginning of a season filled with celebration, tradition and community spirit.”

Shaffer chose “Embrace Nature’s Charm” as this year’s theme, one she describes as a reminder to slow down and appreciate the area’s surrounding beauty.

“From the vibrant colors of autumn leaves to the peaceful stillness of our forests, nature offers a sense of wonder, balance and timelessness,” Shaffer said. “As we celebrate this year’s festival, may we all take a moment to truly embrace the charm and beauty of our surroundings and carry that appreciation with us long after the festival ends.

“Let the vibrant colors of autumn and the warmth of community inspire you,” she said. “May this festival be a time to build lasting friendships, create cherished memories and celebrate the spirit that makes our community unique.”

Welcoming Maid Silvia Sterling Kump, center, to Festival City are, from left, Queen’s Department Assistant Hannah Shiflett, Director of the Queen’s Department Megan Casto, Director General Lisa Shaffer and Queen’s Department Assistant Allicen Simon.

The 87th Mountain State Forest Festival will take place Sept. 27 through Oct. 5 throughout Elkins.

Maid of Honor Ellyse Goddard shares a Mountain State Forest Festival legacy with her father, Scott Goddard, a former long-time Assistant Director and Director General in 2016.

Maid of Honor Ellyse Goddard, center, is congratulated by her mother, Amy Goddard, left, and family friend and supporter Sally Empfield.