Reflections and acknowledgments from the 2021-22 GCTF queen
Lead Summary
By
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By Jacolyn Bolender
2021 Greene Countrie Towne Festival Queen
Reflecting over my 2021-22 year, there are so many moments that deserve to be highlighted. Going to Florida for my first time, winning outstanding model at the Ross County Fair, going to my first homecoming due to COVID-19 reasons, winning second out of seven teams at the Adam Sharp Memorial, getting to watch the Bengals at the Super bowl, having an awesome cheerleading experience and getting to go cheer at the Convo because McClain’s basketball team made it to the Top 16 teams in Ohio and competing for the regional semi-finals, or getting to go to my first prom.
The one moment that needs highlighted and I could talk about for hours on end is winning the title of the 49th annual Greene Countrie Towne Festival Queen. As I stand here and think about giving a speech and reflecting over my reign, only one word comes to mind – home. No, not the home where I live but my other home. Home as in a feeling, located where us girls wear sashes and crowns. We all have a home. This home can be a place, people, or even a thing…for me this is part of my home, but before July of last year, I would've never considered a sash and crown to be part of my home.
I’ll give you a small background of how this has become my home. This was actually my first ever pageant. Never did it as a baby, toddler or even younger child. Until last year, well I thought this might be fun, I may as well give it a shot. Let me remind you that when I first mentioned this to my parents they were shocked. However, they are very supportive and encourage me in everything I do. Not to mention year around I am a varsity football and basketball cheerleader along with being a varsity golfer in the fall and playing softball in the spring at McClain High School.
Within school, I am involved in the Student Council, Symphonic Choir and was my class president. Outside of school, I am involved with 4-H through the Buckskin Stitchers and Mixers 4-h club and a member of the Ross County Food and Fashion board. So adding just one more year around thing to my plate…my parents thought I was absolutely nuts. But I wanted to do this pageant so with their love and support, I did.
In July of last year I competed in the 49th Greene Countrie Towne Festival Pageant and on July 15, 2021 – and I won!
Typically, when watching pageants the winners are normally crying and overwhelmingly happy. I couldn’t tell what I was feeling, other than I immediately thought “what in the world just happened?”
This feeling continued to stay in my mind through many of my first luncheons, festivals and outings representing my town.
“Am I good enough?” “How do queens act?” "What do I say?” “How to fit in.” “I’m not deserving of this.” These were all typical thoughts.
According to google the definition of a queen, she is “the female ruler of an independent state, especially one who inherits and represents the position.” In this definition, it says nothing about our appearance, our age and so on. It just states that we represent our position. We represent our hometown while traveling across Ohio. My message to you is that no matter if you have just recently been crowned with your title or you're near the end of your reign, I want you to know that you are where you are meant to be. You do fit in. You are deserving of this title. Wear your sash and crown and be proud of it, because if you look around this truly is a place you should consider part of your home.
As this is a bittersweet moment for me, and how just a year ago I sat right there listening to Heather Parker give her outgoing queen speech, I believe that piece of mind is rarely found in a past remembered, or a future imagined. Instead, it is found in our willingness to embrace the gift of living in the present moment. I am going to live in this moment and soak this last weekend all up in my sash and crown. Carry along the memories, good times, struggles and knowledge that we have done our best to be the best we are capable of.
As I walk through unknown doors as to what the future has in store for me I will forever be at a piece of mind from my reign. I feel as if I have fulfilled my duties, now it is time to pass them onto the new court.
I would like to give a few thank-yous to the people who have encouraged me to continue going strong throughout my reign. First and most importantly my parents. To my Mom, Kelly, and my Dad, Tim for always getting me to places I needed to be, and making sure I always had what I needed. Dad for having the float to deal with and Mom to deal with my sassy ness when something wasn’t going as planned and overall being so supportive. Next to my sister Brooklyn for tagging along and being a good sport, even when your weekends were also dedicated to festivals and parades.
Next, I’d like to thank my 2021 court and their parents for always lending a hand, helping with anything and everything over the past year. Thank you to Bonnie Baldridge and the Greene Country Towne Festival Committee, the Rotary Club, Jimmy Jones for being a personal photographer, and the love and support a small town truly does give.
I will forever and always be your 2021 Greene Countrie Towne Festival Queen.
2021 Greene Countrie Towne Festival Queen
Reflecting over my 2021-22 year, there are so many moments that deserve to be highlighted. Going to Florida for my first time, winning outstanding model at the Ross County Fair, going to my first homecoming due to COVID-19 reasons, winning second out of seven teams at the Adam Sharp Memorial, getting to watch the Bengals at the Super bowl, having an awesome cheerleading experience and getting to go cheer at the Convo because McClain’s basketball team made it to the Top 16 teams in Ohio and competing for the regional semi-finals, or getting to go to my first prom.
The one moment that needs highlighted and I could talk about for hours on end is winning the title of the 49th annual Greene Countrie Towne Festival Queen. As I stand here and think about giving a speech and reflecting over my reign, only one word comes to mind – home. No, not the home where I live but my other home. Home as in a feeling, located where us girls wear sashes and crowns. We all have a home. This home can be a place, people, or even a thing…for me this is part of my home, but before July of last year, I would've never considered a sash and crown to be part of my home.
I’ll give you a small background of how this has become my home. This was actually my first ever pageant. Never did it as a baby, toddler or even younger child. Until last year, well I thought this might be fun, I may as well give it a shot. Let me remind you that when I first mentioned this to my parents they were shocked. However, they are very supportive and encourage me in everything I do. Not to mention year around I am a varsity football and basketball cheerleader along with being a varsity golfer in the fall and playing softball in the spring at McClain High School.
Within school, I am involved in the Student Council, Symphonic Choir and was my class president. Outside of school, I am involved with 4-H through the Buckskin Stitchers and Mixers 4-h club and a member of the Ross County Food and Fashion board. So adding just one more year around thing to my plate…my parents thought I was absolutely nuts. But I wanted to do this pageant so with their love and support, I did.
In July of last year I competed in the 49th Greene Countrie Towne Festival Pageant and on July 15, 2021 – and I won!
Typically, when watching pageants the winners are normally crying and overwhelmingly happy. I couldn’t tell what I was feeling, other than I immediately thought “what in the world just happened?”
This feeling continued to stay in my mind through many of my first luncheons, festivals and outings representing my town.
“Am I good enough?” “How do queens act?” "What do I say?” “How to fit in.” “I’m not deserving of this.” These were all typical thoughts.
According to google the definition of a queen, she is “the female ruler of an independent state, especially one who inherits and represents the position.” In this definition, it says nothing about our appearance, our age and so on. It just states that we represent our position. We represent our hometown while traveling across Ohio. My message to you is that no matter if you have just recently been crowned with your title or you're near the end of your reign, I want you to know that you are where you are meant to be. You do fit in. You are deserving of this title. Wear your sash and crown and be proud of it, because if you look around this truly is a place you should consider part of your home.
As this is a bittersweet moment for me, and how just a year ago I sat right there listening to Heather Parker give her outgoing queen speech, I believe that piece of mind is rarely found in a past remembered, or a future imagined. Instead, it is found in our willingness to embrace the gift of living in the present moment. I am going to live in this moment and soak this last weekend all up in my sash and crown. Carry along the memories, good times, struggles and knowledge that we have done our best to be the best we are capable of.
As I walk through unknown doors as to what the future has in store for me I will forever be at a piece of mind from my reign. I feel as if I have fulfilled my duties, now it is time to pass them onto the new court.
I would like to give a few thank-yous to the people who have encouraged me to continue going strong throughout my reign. First and most importantly my parents. To my Mom, Kelly, and my Dad, Tim for always getting me to places I needed to be, and making sure I always had what I needed. Dad for having the float to deal with and Mom to deal with my sassy ness when something wasn’t going as planned and overall being so supportive. Next to my sister Brooklyn for tagging along and being a good sport, even when your weekends were also dedicated to festivals and parades.
Next, I’d like to thank my 2021 court and their parents for always lending a hand, helping with anything and everything over the past year. Thank you to Bonnie Baldridge and the Greene Country Towne Festival Committee, the Rotary Club, Jimmy Jones for being a personal photographer, and the love and support a small town truly does give.
I will forever and always be your 2021 Greene Countrie Towne Festival Queen.