The Mountain State Forest Festival located in Elkins, West Virginia – one of the oldest festivals in the state – was held October 1-9 and was able to resume its traditional activities after two years off due to the pandemic.

Festival princesses are selected from different regions throughout the state and must be appointed by a state dignitary.

This year, one of the princesses was also a Chambers College business student.

Rachel Morgan, a marketing sophomore with a minor in strategic social media from Bridgeport, West Virginia, served as a princess in the 84th Mountain State Forest Festival located in Elkins.

"I knew marketing was the right major when I began the position of the social media chair in a student organization on campus – the WVU Collegiate 4-H club," said Morgan. "My ability to use my creativity to encourage involvement in a program I care so much about has been so reassuring."

It was Morgan's involvement with 4-H that got her connected to the Forest Festival, too.

"I became involved in the Forest Festival as a princess because of my involvement in state-wide 4-H in West Virginia," she said. "My 4-H network allowed me to connect with Mountain State Forest Festival Assistant Director, Jodie Varner, who encouraged me to participate in the festival and I was appointed by Mountain State Forest Festival Director General, Robbie Morris."

Not only is the Forest Festival a tradition in Elkins, but it also allows students like Morgan to connect with other young women throughout the state.

"I enjoyed getting to know the other princesses from around the state who, like me, are passionate enough to keep such an interesting tradition alive," said Morgan.

Morgan also remembers attending the well-known festival in 2010 and posing with the Queen.

"There were many princesses who are native to Elkins and had been on the minor court as children (as a flower girl or jester). Hearing their excitement and noticing the minimal loss of true tradition definitely made the whole experience memorable," she said.

Now that her princess duties are over, Morgan is focused on finishing out the fall semester and figuring out the industries she is most passionate about.

"I would like to build my experiences in different fields, whether that be athletic marketing or promoting local wedding venues, I want to find the best fit for me," said Morgan.

To learn more about our marketing program, visit business.wvu.edu/marketing.

SH 10/12/22

CONTACT: Shelby Hudnall
Marketing Strategist
WVU John Chambers College of Business and Economics, Strategic Communications
Stoompa1@mail.wvu.edu