Submitted photo Makenna Grace Sfameni of Elkins, a fifth-grader at Midland Elementary School, has been announced as Woodly the Elf for the 2025 Mountain State Forest Festival.

ELKINS — Director General Lisa Shaffer, Queen’s Department Director Megan Casto, and Citizens Bank of West Virginia have announced Makenna Grace Sfameni as Woodly the Elf, the official mascot of the Mountain State Forest Festival.

Each year, a Randolph County student, from public, private or homeschooled students, is chosen to serve as Woodly the Elf through a poster contest.

Woodly the Elf is sponsored by Citizens Bank of West Virginia.

Makenna is the daughter of Michael and Ashley Sfameni of Elkins. She is the granddaughter of Brian and April Sfameni of Franklin, Tennessee, and Joyce Henline and Brad Henline of Elkins.

In the fall, Makenna will be a fifth-grade student at Midland Elementary where she is an “A” honor roll student.

She will be attending Center Stage Dance Studio in the fall and has plans to play soccer and softball.

Makenna enjoys playing outdoors with her animals, drawing, swimming, and Roblox. When she grows up, Makenna wants to go to school to study cosmetology.

MSFF Director General Lisa Shaffer unveiled Makenna’s imaginative work that reflects this year’s MSFF theme, “Embrace Nature’s Charm.”

In addition to Sfameni, four runners-up were selected in the Woodly the Elf Poster Contest.

This year, the runners-up are Ayla Cunningham from Midland Elementary, Pierslyn Farley from Third Ward Elementary, Avery Hedrick from Jennings Randolph Elementary, and Brynlee Simmons from Beverly Elementary.

More than 25 posters were submitted to compete in this year’s poster contest.

The Woodly the Elf contest is open to Randolph County students in second, third or fourth grades — including home school, private or public schools.

The four runners-up will accompany Sfameni on the Woodly the Elf float in the 87th MSFF Grand Feature Parade on Saturday, Oct. 4.

Mackenna will become a member of the Royal Minor Court of Queen Silvia LXXXVII and will make appearances at the Buckwheat Festival and Strawberry Festival.

The 87th Mountain State Forest Festival is scheduled for Sept. 27 through Oct. 5.

More information is available by visiting festival social media, www.forestfestival.com, or calling the festival office at 304-636-1824.