The Royal Scouts for Maid Silvia LXXX include Clare Loving Talbott, Isaac Logan Talkington, Holly Melissa Harper and Braxton Hull Kenney.

Clare is the daughter of Aaron and Ruthann Talbott of Elkins. She is the granddaughter of Willie Talbott of Valley Bend, Sandy Tice and Kent Winn of Elkins and Tom and Peg Smith of West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. Clare has two brothers, Eliott and Leo and one sister, Anna.

She is in sixth grade at Elkins Middle School, where she plays flute in the EMS Band. She dances with the West Virginia Highland Dancers and is an alter server and member of St. Brendan Catholic Church. In her free time, Clare enjoys cooking, playing music and learning everything she can about science.

“I was really excited when I found out I would be one of the Royal Scouts. I knew there were only three people in the running, so I knew I had a pretty good chance but was very happy I was selected.”

Isaac Logan Talkington

Clare said she was in the competition last year but was not one of the two selected.

“During the Mountain State Forest Festival this year, I am most looking forward to being with my friends,” Clare said. “It will be exciting for my family to get to watch me in the events. My favorite Mountain State Forest Festival event is going to the park and seeing the primitive campers. I enjoy seeing how they lived.”

Clare said she has been a Girl Scout since she was in kindergarten.

“I joined when I lived in Pittsburgh,” Clare said. “My mom has been my leader since I started so I kind of have to be in Scouts. Right now, I am a Cadette Girl Scout and my troop is No. 35041.”

Helping the environment is Clare’s favorite thing about being a Girl Scout.

Clare Loving Talbott

“I like to go camping and hanging out with my friends,” Clare said. “I am very excited for this honor.”

Isaac Logan Talkington is the son of Bryan and Michelle Talkington of Elkins. He is the grandson of Chris and Cindy Thompson, Elaine Stahl and the late Jeff and Debbie Valentine, all of Elkins. He is the great grandson of Shirley Thompson of Beverly and he has a brother, Thomas.

Isaac is a seventh-grade student at Elkins Middle School. He participates in football and track. Isaac plays baseball for Elkins Little League.

He said when he found out he would be one of the Royal Scouts he thought that was ‘pretty cool.’

“We had to write a letter explaining why we wanted to be selected as this year’s Scouts,” he said. “As I Royal Scout, I am most looking forward to meeting new people.”

Holly Melissa Harper

Isaac said his favorite Festival event is the Lumberjack Contest on Saturday. “I like to watch them chop the logs,” he said.

Isaac has been a Boy Scout for almost two years. He said he decided to join Scouts when he met other Boy Scouts at a J.A.K.E.S. Day event. Isaac is a member of Troop No. 66 where he has attained the level of First Class Scout. His leader is Larry Scott.

“My favorite thing about Scouting is earning merit badges while learning new stuff,” Isaac said. “I like learning about the environment and everything like that.”

After graduation, Isaac said he would like to attend Michigan State and become a registered nurse.

“I want to go into the military to be in para-rescue. My nursing degree would put me in as an officer,” he said.

Holly Melissa Harper is the daughter of Daniel and Lynne Harper of Elkins. She is the granddaughter of Chester and Norma Harper of Harding and G. Wesley and Esther Perkins of Delmont, Pennsylvania. She has two brothers, Elliot and Grant.

Holly is in seventh grade at Elkins Middle School and is an honor-roll student and member of the cross country team. She plays flute in the band and attends Davis Memorial Presbyterian Church where she is a member of the Youth Group and Faith and Service Camps. Holly is an avid reader.

She said she was pretty excited when she learned she would be one of the Royal Scouts.

“I knew my friend Clare Talbott was also going to be a Royal Scout,” Holly said. “I wrote a letter and that was how I was selected to be a Royal Scout. I am most looking forward to having fun.”

Holly said the fair is her favorite part of the Mountain State Forest Festival.

She has been a Girl Scout since kindergarten and is currently a Cadette Girl Scout with Troop No. 35041. She has earned the Bronze Award, the Community Service Bar and two Journey Summit Awards. Her leader is Lynn Harper.

“I didn’t want to join Girl Scouts in the beginning, but my mom convinced me to join,” Holly said. “It is really fun. I enjoy going outside and being in the outdoors. I hope to earn my Gold Award when I am older.”

Holly said when she grows up she wants to go to the Olympics for running. “I want to go to Davis & Elkins College and be a veterinarian,” she said.

Braxton Hull Kenney is the son of Bruce and Joelle Kenney of Elkins. He is the grandson of Lindsey and Patricia Kenney of Mill Creek and Sandy Grahame and the late Joe Grahame of Elkins. Braxton has a brother Tyler and a sister Jensen.

Braxton is in seventh grade at Elkins Middle School. He is an honor-roll student and is a member of the cross country and track teams. He is a student council representative. Braxton swims on the Elkins Otters and attends the First United Methodist Church of Elkins where he is a member of the PULSE Youth Group.

He said he was very excited to learn he would be one of the 80th Mountain State Forest Festival Royal Scouts.

“I was so excited. My brother was a Royal Scout, and I wanted to continue the tradition,” Braxton said. “I am most looking forward to walking down the hill during Coronation and seeing all the people.”

Braxton said he has not yet got to walk down Coronation Hill on the campus of Davis & Elkins College.

“We were supposed to have a practice on Sunday, but it was cancelled,” Braxton said.

Braxton said his all-time favorite MSFF event is the Grand Feature Parade. “This will be my first time being in the MSFF, but I live in Elkins so I watch it all the time,” he said.

Braxton is a Second Class Scout with Boy Scout Troop No. 88 of the First United Methodist Church. His leader is Jim Bibey. Braxton said he always knew he would join Scouts. He said his favorite part of Scouting is going camping and getting to cook for everybody. He also enjoys hiking.

“My granddad was an Eagle Scout and my brother is an Eagle Scout,” Braxton said. “I want to be an Eagle Scout like them.”

Mountain State Forest Festival Executive Director Scott Goddard said he is excited to get to know the Royal Scouts.

“Whatever young people want to achieve in life, whether it’s reaching the summit of Everest or starting their own business, they can’t rely solely on pieces of paper to get them there,” Goddard said. “Teamwork, leadership, perseverance and good communication – the skills learned through scouting – are the utmost importance. It’s time we recognize this and help children reach their potential by embracing adventure in every aspect of their lives.”

Goddard said he learned months ago the 80th Mountain State Forest Festival was going to be an adventure.

“The leaders/mentors of the local scouting troops truly feel that Clare, Isaac, Holly and Braxton will celebrate the ideals of scouting throughout the 80th Mountain State Forest Festival,” Goddard said.