Emma Mary Chua, Abiel Gallagher-Reyes, Kyle Golden Murphy and Erica Paige Woods will serve as the Royal Trumpeteers for the 80th Mountain State Forest Festival.

ELKINS — Friday of the Mountain State Forest Festival is a favorite among many festivalgoers because of the pageantry of the Coronation. Four teens will be announcing the entrance of Maid Silvia Kara D’Ann Alvarez, who will be crowned as Queen of the 80th Mountain State Forest Festival that day. The Royal Trumpeteers are Emma Mary Chua, Abiel Gallagher-Reyes, Kyle Golden Murphy and Erica Paige Woods.

Emma is the daughter of Philip and Catherine Chua of Elkins. She is the granddaughter of Domingo and Linda Chua and George and Constance Brown, all of Elkins. She has a brother, Lee.

This is her second year as a Royal Trumpeteer. She is a sophomore at Elkins High School where she is an honor student and is a member of the Elkins High School band, drama club and the soccer team. She is an active member of the Old Brick Playhouse.

Emma said she wanted to be a Royal Trumpeteer this year because it was so much fun last year.

“It was fun last year and it is important for me to be a part of the community,” Emma said. “I like doing things that make people happy and music makes people happy.”

Emma said she selected to play trumpet when she was in fifth grade.

“I chose the trumpet because we had one,” Emma said.

In the future, Emma said she wants to pursue a degree in international business.

Abiel is the son of Patrick Gallagher of Elkins and Kelly Reyes of Riverdale, Maryland. He is the grandson of Adrian and Alicia Reyes of Curaren, Honduras. This will be his first year serving as a Royal Trumpeteer.

Abiel is sophomore at Elkins High School, where he is an honor-roll student and member of the Elkins High School band. He was the only freshman in the Elkins High School Science Bowl. Abiel is fluent in Spanish and in his spare time he enjoys hiking, biking, running and, occasionally, skateboarding.

“I tried out to be a Royal Trumpeteer because I wanted the glory,” he said. “I like the attention. I enjoy taking on challenges.”

Abiel said he started playing trumpet in fifth grade because it is the loudest instrument. He said he looked over the music and prepared himself for the tryouts for Royal Trumpeteer.

Kyle is the son of James and Amy Murphy of Elkins. He is the grandson of Diana Day of Morgantown, Howard Murphy of Montrose, Golden Day of Elkins, Jean Weasenforth and Rod Dailey of Parkersburg and Roger Poland of Berryville, Virginia. He has a sister Michelle.

This is Kyle’s first year serving as a Royal Trumpeteer. He is a junior at Elkins High School where he is an honor student and member of the Elkins High School band and track team. He is an active member of the Old Brick Playhouse and he attends the Rivers of Living Water Ministries Church. In the future, he plans to attend Washington and Jefferson College to become a veterinarian.

He said he decided to try to become a Royal Trumpeteer because he thought it would be fun.

“I wanted to try out because I thought it would be a great experience,” Kyle said. “We practice once or twice a week with all of us getting together.”

He said he was excited to play for Maid Silvia on Coronation Day.

“I practiced a lot before the audition,” he said. “There were nine of us who tried out for four spots.”

Kyle said he started playing trumpet in the fifth grade.

“I also serve as the back field commander for this year’s field show,” he said.

Erica is the daughter of Paul Bradley and Jennifer Woods of Mill Creek. She is the granddaughter of Ronnie and Debra Bennett of Huttonsville, Joe Woods and Frances Woods of Elkins and Don and Della Brown of Valley Head. She has four brothers, Ryan, Austin, Adam and Jacob.

This is Erica’s third year as a Royal Trumpeteer. She is a senior at Tygarts Valley High School where she is an honor-roll student and president of the Future Farmers of America. She is a member of the Key club and National Honor Society. Erica received a varsity letter in softball and volleyball and was formerly the drum major of the TVHS Band.

Erica likes to hunt, fish, swim, camp, ride four wheelers, hang out with her friends and family and care for her calf, Sassy. In the future, she plans to become and EMT and then become a medic.

“I started gaining interest in the trumpet in third grade at George Ward Elementary School,” she said. “I started playing in fifth grade. When I would walk by and hear the trumpet I thought I would like to play that. The trumpet just stood out to me. It leads the band because it carries the band. If you took it out of the band, you could tell it was missing.”

Erica tried out for Royal Trumpeteer because her band director Josh Tharp told her she should do.

“When they came out and called my name I was so excited,” Erica said. “I had tears in my eyes and it is just something I would recommend to all trumpet players. It is really great. Even with this being my third year, the anticipation was terrific.”

Erica said it’s great working with the three trumpeteers from Elkins High School.

“Most people see us as rivals,” Erica said. “Elkins and Tygarts Valley band members work well together. I just love working with the Elkins kids. It’s amazing because we are all similar. I think playing the trumpet and our passion for music draws us together. And the Wetschs who lead the training for the Royal Trumpeteers are amazing people.”

Mountain State Forest Festival Director General Scott Goddard said he feels the Royal Trumpeteers clearly embody the energy and spirit of the 80th Mountain State Forest Festival.

“Special thanks to the Trumpeteer coaching staff of Barbara and Daniel Wetsch,” Goddard said. “Once again, I’m amazed at the time, effort, energy and volunteerism that goes into creating the magic of the Forest Festival. Coach Wetsch has been given some detailed instructions on how to spice things up. It’s safe to say that the trumpeteers won’t be doing the same old, same old. Get ready!”

The 80th Mountain State Forest Festival begins Saturday. For more information visit the Mountain State Forest Festival website at www.forestfestival.com or phone the Festival office at 304-636-1824.