ELKINS – Hambleton resident Miss Emma Grace Snyder has been selected as Maid Silvia for the 88th Mountain State Forest Festival by Director General Nathaniel Bonnell. The selection of Maid Silvia has been kept confidential for months.

“Selecting Maid Silvia is one of the most important responsibilities of the director general, and Emma stood out from the very beginning,” Bonnell said. “She is accomplished, thoughtful, and has a genuine appreciation for the traditions and values the Mountain State Forest Festival represents. As we celebrate the 88th Festival with the theme ‘Autumn in Color,’ Emma reflects the spirit of the season — bringing energy, tradition, and the next chapter of Festival history into full color. I am confident she will represent the Festival with grace and serve as an outstanding ambassador throughout her reign.”

Snyder, 21, is the daughter of James and Kim Snyder of Hambleton. She is the granddaughter of Alta Snyder and the late Kenneth Snyder of Hambleton, Mary Mauldin and the late Lieutenant Colonel Mack Mauldin of Hendricks and David and Wilda Shrout of Thomas. Emma has one brother, Adam Lambruno.

The future Queen Silvia is a 2023 graduate of Tucker County High School, where she ranked in the top 10 in her class, was a member of National Honor Society and a class officer.

Snyder graduated with honors from West Virginia University in May 2026, earning a degree in anthropology with a minor in religious studies. She was named Outstanding Senior in Anthropology, served as a researcher and lab manager in the ceramics lab, and presented research at undergraduate symposia, winning her category in the Fall of 2025. Emma also presented at a professional conference in San Francisco, California, studied abroad in Italy to gain hands on experience and served as secretary of the Anthropology Club.

Snyder is continuing her education at WVU for a Master’s in public history and plans to attend law school. In her spare time, she enjoys skiing, traveling and hiking. Snyder worked as a mentor for the AmeriCorps program, Energy Express, and she served as a princess in the 86th Mountain State Forest Festival.

Snyder will be crowned as Queen of the 88th Mountain State Forest Festival during the Royal Coronation at 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2, at the Citizens Bank of West Virginia Outdoor Amphitheatre located on the campus of Davis & Elkins College. Attended by forty princesses from around the state, two maids of honor, and a minor court, she will receive her crown in an elaborate outdoor ceremony.

The 88th edition of the Mountain State Forest Festival with the theme “Autumn in Color” will take place from Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, through Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. More information is available by visiting festival social media, www.forestfestival.com, or calling the festival office at 304-636-1824.