ELKINS — Mountain State Forest Festival Director General Lisa Shaffer has announced the appointments of Aidan Matthew Lowther, Hunter Wade Shaffer, Madeline Grace Wamsley and Kyle Liam Warner as Royal Trumpeteers for the 87th Mountain State Forest Festival.
Aidan Matthew Lowther is the son of Chris Lowther and Jenna Jeffries of Elkins. He is the grandson of Brenda Pritt of Elkins, and Harry Jeffries of Morgantown. He has one sister, Layne.
This is Aidan’s fourth year serving as a Royal Trumpeteer. In the fall, Aidan will be a senior at Elkins High School. He is a member of National Honor Society, EHS Marching Band and Jazz Band, The Refinery Church Ignite Youth Group and Tech Team, Society of Torch & Laurel, Lucky Leaf Livestock 4-H, Randolph County 4-H Teen Leaders, WV 4-H Teen Council, Teen Rep for 4-H Foundation, and 2024 Outstanding 4-H’er.
Lowther is a Mountaineer Boys State participant, a volunteer for Interact Children’s Museum, and is also employed at Gino’s Pizza. He plans to attend college to study forensic science.
Hunter Wade Shaffer is the son of Lenny and Ashley Shaffer of Elkins. He is the grandson of Ron and Brenda Cunningham of Elkins and Leonard Shaffer Jr. of Gormania.
This will be Hunter’s first year serving as a Royal Trumpeteer, having previously served as a Royal Scout in the 85th MSFF. In the fall, he will be a freshman at Elkins High School, where he will be a member of the EHS Fighting Tigers Marching Band. Hunter is an honor roll student, Student Council representative, and was selected for Region 8 Honor Band.
He is a Life Scout in Boy Scout Troop 66, member of Lucky Leaf Livestock 4-H Club, Randolph County 4-H Teen Leaders, and the FORGE teen youth group at Elkins First Baptist Church. He has attended the Governors’ STEM Institute and served as a Senate Page for the WV Legislature. Hunter enjoys camping, swimming, playing pickleball, and spending time with family and friends. In the future, he plans to pursue a degree in political science and pre-law with hopes of becoming a lawyer.
Madeline Grace Wamsley is the daughter of Logan Wamsley of Beverly and Tonya Swecker of Valley Head. She is the granddaughter of Jerry and Debbie Wamsley of Valley Head, and Earl and Debbie Swecker of Valley Head. She has one brother, Braxton Wamsley and one sister, Savana Hedrick.
This is Madeline’s first year serving as a Royal Trumpeteer. In the fall, she will be a freshman at Tygarts Valley High School.
Wamsley participates in 4-H and has received Grand Champion for her livestock animals. She enjoys camping, band, and basketball. Her future plans include becoming a marine biologist or anything to do with nursing.
Kyle Liam Warner is the son of Bryan and Stephanie Warner of Elkins. He is the grandson of Chip and Vera Lewis of Elkins and Carl and Janie Warner of Circleville. He has two brothers, Joshua and Cameron.
This is Kyle’s first year serving as a Royal Trumpeteer, having previously served as a Royal Scout in the 84th MSFF. In the fall, he will be a junior at Elkins High School. He is a member of Boy Scout Troop 88, Ski-Hi 4-H, and a member of the Elkins Otters, Rays, and EHS swim teams.
His future plans include attending WVU for a degree in archeology. After school, he plans to settle in Europe.
Please join the Royal Trumpeteers and the Royal Court of Maid Silvia LXXXVII, as they descend Coronation Hill at the crowning of Maid Silvia the 87th on Friday, Oct. 3 at 2 p.m. at the Citizens Bank of WV Outdoor Amphitheater located on the campus of Davis & Elkins College.
More information is available by visiting festival social media, www.forestfestival.com, or calling the festival office at 304-636-1824.
