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Press
June 05, 2010
2010 Maid Silvia Announced
Director General Kenna Barger announces the appointment of Meredith Rae Orndorff to reign as Queen Silvia LXXIV of the Mountain State Forest Festival, October 2 – October 10 in Elkins.
Nineteen-year-old Maid Silvia resides in Morgantown and is a sophomore at West Virginia University where she is pursuing a degree in Exercise Physiology. She is the daughter of Jeffrey and Cathy Orndorff, of Morgantown, and has one brother, Joel and two sisters – Sarah Sesin of Leesburg, VA and Jessica Orndorff of Dorchester, MA. Meredith is the granddaughter of Joe and Polly Mams of Elkins and the late Daniel and June Orndorff.
The Forest Festival monarch has decades of family connections to the Mountain State Forest Festival and Elkins. Her uncle, Dr. Frank Mams of Elkins, was a train bearer in 1970 for Queen Silvia Susan Staggers; her cousin Marsha Widney Wehr, of Elkins, was Maid of Honor in 1963; her mother, Cathy (Mams) Orndorff, formerly of Elkins, was a princess in 1974; her sisters, Sarah Orndorff Sesin and Jessica Orndorff were princess in 1999 and 2002 respectively; and her cousin, Abigail Storch of Elkins served as flower girl in 2009. Meredith’s grandparents, Joe and Polly Mams, were volunteers of the Forest Festival for many years in various roles including princess housing, Woman’s Club Craft Fair, 4-H Exhibits, and Queen’s Ball decorations.
“When Director General Barger asked me to serve as Queen Silvia LXXIV, I was overcome with joy,” commented Orndorff. “The Forest Festival has a special legacy for our family and this is truly an honor and privilege that I also can be a part of this magnificent festival. It is an integral part of Elkins and I have grown up understanding what a unique and meaningful event it is for the state of West Virginia.”
A 2009 honor roll graduate of Morgantown High School, Maid Silvia Orndorff was a member of Young Life, Italian Club and Key Club. She served as a Peer Educator and was a member of the varsity volleyball team. A four-year member and trumpet player for the MHS Marching Band, Meredith performed as a Mohiganette her junior year and a majorette her senior year.
Active in 4-H, Maid Silvia is an 11-year member of the Southside Stars, a 4-H charting pin wearer and a West Virginia 4-H All Star – the highest award for 4-H service. During her extended 4-H stint, she has attended national conferences in Washington, DC and Atlanta, GA. Serving as host for a Canadian 4-H exchange program, Meredith traveled to Alberta, Canada in 2009. She has participated in public speaking contests at State 4-H Days and raised money at State 4-H Camps via “Nothing but Nets,” a malaria prevention program that provides nets to families in Africa to sleep under.
The future royal court majesty is a Promise Scholar and a WVU Dean’s List student. She is a member of WVU’s Student Health Advisory Board, Exercise Physiology Club, Collegiate 4-H, and Mountaineer Maniacs. Upon graduation, Maid Silvia hopes to attend graduate school pursing a masters degree in Physical Therapy. She is employed as a student office assistant in the Provost office at WVU.
An outdoor enthusiast, Meredith enjoys volleyball, running, rock climbing, skiing and swimming. She is currently enrolled in kayak rolling classes and when the weather forces her inside she enjoys reading and knitting.
“I have a great respect for our natural resources and the scenic beauty of our state,” further commented Orndorff. “I love partaking in the outdoors and there is nothing comparable to enjoying the splendor of Mother Nature. We are so blessed in West Virginia to be surrounded by the natural beauty of our forest, mountains and streams.”
Maid Silvia Orndorff’s community and civic involvement is notable as she has worked with events for the Ronald McDonald House, Children’s Hospital, Trinity Episcopal Church Community Kitchen, and Salvation Army. She worked on restoration of a rock climbing area at Cooper’s Rock, volunteered to read to children in elementary schools, and assisted with a canned food drive. Additionally, she has volunteered with numerous 4-H events. She is a member of the Suncrest United Methodist Church.
“This is truly a dream come true for me,” said Maid Silvia. “I remember as an eight-year-old seeing Queen Silvia Ashley Hardesty descend coronation hill in a fairy tale setting. I thought it was so majestic and it is my hope that I will reign over the Mountain State Forest Festival with the grace and refinement as the 73 queens before me. I look forward to reuniting with acquaintances I’ve met through 4-H and meeting new friends at the annual fall celebration.”
Orndorff will become Queen Silvia LXXIV at her royal coronation scheduled for Friday, October 8 at the outdoor amphitheater on the campus of Davis & Elkins College. Accompanied by Maids of Honor Ellyson “Elly” Schumacher and Sarah Talbott, forty princesses from throughout West Virginia and the royal minor court.
“It is indeed my pleasure to present Meredith Orndorff as Maid Silvia LXXIV,” commented Director General Barger. “Meredith exemplifies every quality we look for in a Forest Festival queen. She’s bright, energetic and outgoing; and her diverse interests and affection for the outdoors makes her a perfect fit to reign over our ‘Nature’s Kaleidoscope’ festival.”
The 74th Mountain State Forest Festival is October 2 – 10. The 2010 schedule of events and royal court directory may be accessed online at www.forestfestival.com.
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