Being a role model was very important to maple queen
MEYERSDALE ― When she makes her final appearance as the reigning maple queen, Laura Boyce will be taking special memories along with her.
As Queen Maple LXXVI, Boyce will be passing the torch along to the newly selected maple queen at Saturday's 77th Maple Queen Scholarship Pageant at 7 p.m. at Meyersdale Area High School auditorium. The participants compete for $5,500 in various cash or scholarship awards and for the honor of becoming the official ambassador of the Pennsylvania Maple Festival and the Somerset County maple industry.
Boyce said she felt she was up against incredible competition last year when she participated in the contest.
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"When they called my name as the Maple Queen title winner, I felt an overwhelming amount of gratitude. I still cannot comprehend how the judges chose me when I was alongside such an amazing group of girls," she said in an email. "I truly could not have stirred up a better batch if I had been able; they were all lovely and I am so grateful to have shared this experience with nine lifelong friends."
The maple queen reigns over the Pennsylvania Maple Festival April 20-21 and April 24-28 in Meyersdale. She also has duties during the year that include attending some community events, fairs and festivals.
"My year as Queen Maple was so much more than I expected it to be – the maple producers are a welcoming bunch through and through," Boyce said. "Feeling like I belonged was always easy, whether I was simply handing out samples or tapping a tree with the Maple King. I made so many memories that I will carry very close to my heart for the rest of my life – including getting to wear my mom’s wedding dress throughout my reign!"
Boyce an active student
Laura is the daughter of David and Rebecca Boyce of Meyersdale. She is a graduate of Meyersdale Area High School, where she was a part of the musicals, drum major of the marching band, a participant in region choir and region band as well as the concert band and jazz band. She participated in cross country, Studio 7 Dance, the Raider Review school newspaper and National Honor Society. She was elected Class of 2023 president and selected as Girl of the Year.
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Boyce is a student at the University of Pittsburgh, where she is studying public health with a minor in music.
"I hope to transfer to the upper-level rehabilitation science major during my junior year to pursue my goal of becoming a doctor of physical therapy," she said.
Boyce is a member of Pitt’s Christian acapella group, Mosaic, and she's a member of Cru campus ministries and the rehabilitation science club.
Being a role model
Boyce said one outstanding experience she has from her reign is meeting young girls.
"By far, the most memorable part of my experience was meeting all the young girls who told me how much they wanted to be a maple princess one day. We always talked about what they wanted their dresses to look like and what they would do for their talents," she said. "It made me feel incredibly special hearing their parents say that I was a role model to so many."
Boyce said she is excited to pass along her duties as maple queen to the next young woman selected as Queen Maple LXXVII.
She gives these words of wisdom to the princesses and future queen: "To the girls going out for the title of Queen Maple 77, simply live in the moment. The year goes by indescribably fast, and I often wish that I would have taken more time to prioritize taking in the experience as it was happening," Boyce said. "It seems like just yesterday that I was getting to know all my fellow princesses at a painting party, and it is so special to know that even as we pursue different goals and approach various stages of our lives, we will always have the Maple Queen contest in common.
More: Laura Boyce crowned Queen Maple LXXVI
"While it is a competition at the very bottom line, it is much more an opportunity to meet new people and step out of your comfort zone. We all grew so much in the span of just a few months, and I feel so blessed to have watched everyone blossom in their own ways. Make the most of it – you will only be a maple princess once!"
The last time on stage as the reigning queen will be a sweet time for Boyce.
"Just as I did in the moments that Ella Holly called my name and Ella Wheeler pinned the crown on my head, I thank God every day that He entrusted me with this special title. I am beyond honored to be Queen Maple 76 and to interact with the hardworking people behind such a respectable industry," she said. "I would like to thank all the maple producers for their unending support and overwhelming kindness that they have shown me throughout my reign. They make ending this experience even harder, but I am endlessly grateful for each of the producers, and I hope that they know what an impact they have had on my life."
Madolin Edwards can be reached at medwards@dailyamerican.com.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Maple Queen Laura Boyce especially honored to represent industry
