The 80th Mountain State Forest Festival has announced the appointments of Holly Melissa Harper, Clare Loving Talbott, Braxton Hull Kenney and Isaac Logan Talkington as Royal Scouts of Maid Silvia LXXX.

Director General Scott Goddard comments: “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. Teamwork, leadership, perseverance and good communication-the skills learned through scouting-are of the utmost importance. It’s time we recognize this and help children reach their potential by embracing adventure in every aspect of their lives. I learned months ago that the 80th Mountain State Forest Festival was going to be an adventure! The leaders/mentors of the local scouting troops truly feel that Holly, Clare, Braxton and Isaac will celebrate the ideals of scouting throughout the 80th Mountain State Forest Festival. I look forward to getting to know each of them.”

Scout 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.

Harper will be a seventh grade student at Elkins Middle School in the fall. She is an honor roll student and is a member of the cross country team. She plays flute in the band. Holly attends Davis Memorial Presbyterian Church where she is active in Youth Group and Faith and Service Camps. She is an avid reader. She has earned the Bronze Award, the Community Service Bar and two Journey Summit Awards in Girl Scouts and is a member of Troop # 35041.

Scout Clare Loving Talbott 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. She has two brothers, Eliott and Leo and one sister, Anna.

Talbott will be a sixth grade student at Elkins Middle School in the fall. She plays the flute and dances with the West Virginia Highland Dancers. She also serves as an altar server at St. Brendans Catholic Church. In her free time, she likes to cook, play music, and learn everything she can about science. She is a member of Troop # 35041.

Scout 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. He has one brother, Tyler and one sister, Jensen.

Kenney will be a seventh grade student at Elkins Middle School in the fall. He is an honor roll student and is also a member of the Elkins Middle School band and choir. He is a member of the cross country team and track team and also participates as a student council representative. He is a member of the Elkins Otters swim team. He attends First United Methodist Church where he participates in the PULSE youth group. He is a member of Troop # 88.

Scout 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. He has one brother, Thomas.

Talkington will be a seventh grade student at Elkins Middle School in the fall where he participates on the football and track teams. He plays baseball for Elkins Little League. In his spare time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, trapping, camping and riding four wheelers. He is a member of Troop # 66.

The Royal Scouts will join Maid Silvia LXXX, Miss Kara D’Ann Alvarez, who will be crowned as Queen of the 80th Mountain State Forest Festival during the Royal Coronation at 2:00 p.m. Friday, October 7, 2016 at the Outdoor Amphitheatre of Davis & Elkins College. Attended by 40 princesses from around the state, two Maids of Honor and a Royal Minor Court, she will receive her crown from Governor Earl Ray Tomblin in an outdoor ceremony. The 80th edition of the Mountain State Forest Festival with the theme “Celebrate!” will take place Saturday, October 1, 2016 through Sunday, October 9, 2016. For more information about the 80th Mountain State Forest Festival, please browse our site or call (304) 636-1824.