Madelyn Meiser crowned Canal Royalty Queen
Pictured is the 2017-2018 Coshocton Canal Royalty. Back row from left: Princess Second Attendant, Allison Blevens; Princess First Attendant, Emmilia Flores; Queen Madelyn Meiser; Queen First Attendant, Lynsey Stonebraker; and Queen Second Attendant, Katelin Morgan. Front row: Junior Queen Second Attendant, Jazlene Brown; Princess Savannah Langdon; Junior Queen, Brianna Fink; and Junior Queen First Attendent, Karli Stickdorn.
COSHOCTON – Madelyn Meiser couldn’t express her excitement at being named the 2017-2018 Coshocton Canal Royalty Queen on Saturday, Oct. 21.
“I was so happy,” she said about being named queen. “I can’t even really describe it. All the practice paid off. I was junior queen and princess before this, so I feel like this is like completing the journey.”
Three young women vied for the title of Canal Royalty Queen. Each had to present a three to five minute historical speech that incorporated a description of her dress before a crowded audience and a panel of three judges consisting of Debbie McDonald, Katie Wilson, and Philena Myers Tracey. Wilson and Myers Tracey are both former canal queens.
Meiser’s speech focused on Coshocton’s involvement in the Civil War, including the 51st regiment, which was a regiment fighting for the Union comprised of men from Coshocton County. She even included the late Peter Hack, a merchant in Roscoe Village, in her speech as her father.
“It was a lot of research,” she said. “I researched my father, Peter Hack, who was an actual merchant in Roscoe, and Clara Barton who started the American Red Cross.”
Crowning Meiser as queen was Megan Stonebraker, the 2016-2017 Canal Royalty Queen.
“It’s bittersweet,” said Stonebraker. “It’s been a great year, but I’m ready to start a new chapter in my life. I’m happy to hand my crown down to Mady because I know she will travel everywhere and represent Coshocton County perfectly.”
Queen first attendant went to Lynsey Stonebraker and second attendant to Katelin Morgan.
Five young girls vied for the title of princess and the honor went to 11-year-old Savannah Langdon. Princess contestants had to present a one and a half to three minute speech about their dresses.
“I was so happy,” said Langdon about being named princess. “It took a while to find out how I was going to do this and I came up with my speech just last week. I plan on going to other festivals and talking about Coshocton because I really love going to other places.”
Handing over her crown as princess was 2016-2017 Coshocton Canal Royalty Princess, Rachel Levi.
“I’m not sad, I’m very happy,” she said. “It’s like I’m giving advice to another person and I want a lot of girls to be able to be here as princess in the future, so I’m happy for the new princess.”
Princess first attendant went to Emmilia Flores and second attendant to Allison Blevens.
All princess and queen contestants received a participation award and a gift bag from Organic Technologies. Common Pleas Judge Bob Batchelor was emcee for the contest and thanked all the sponsors who made the continuation of the Coshocton Canal Royalty possible.
“With a new committee taking the reins, it was more important now than ever for the community’s blessing and financial support,” he said.
While the queen and princess were crowned later in the evening on Saturday, Oct. 21, the junior queen contest was held that morning with 10 girls vying for the title.
Brianna Fink was crowned as the 2017-2018 Junior Queen.
“I was really happy,” she said.
She hopes to visit as many festivals as possible.
Aryes Hamilton turned over her junior queen crown and title to Fink that morning as well.
“I’m happy because I get to sleep in next year,” she said. “But I’m sad because I won’t be able to travel and meet new friends anymore.”
The junior queen first attendant went to Karli Stickdorn and second attendant to Jazlene Brown.
For more information on the Coshocton Canal Royalty, they can be found on Facebook.
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