Renee Sevenski
Contributing Writer
(Photo by Molly Macleod – From left to right: Izabelle Racine, Kaydence Harvey, Shannon Kistler, Madison Trowbridge (Queen))
As we sit patiently in Eaton County waiting to see what mother nature will bring as we receive the snowstorm alert in February, there is an added excitement going on in Vermontville, Michigan. A town of less than 800 people gathered in the basement of the First Congregational Church to crown the 2025 queen and court for the annual Maple Syrup Festival. Michigan’s original maple syrup festival which began in 1940 that will take place April 25-27.
All young women in their junior year at Maple Valley Schools can apply to compete for the title of Maple Syrup Festival Queen and her court. This year brought us four incredible candidates.
Kaydence Harvey, 16, loves spending time with friends and family. Shannon Kistler, holds a passion for designing dresses and gowns and loves to dance. Madison Trowbridge, 16, enjoys playing volleyball and looks forward to pursuing her passion as a Pediatric Physical Therapist. Izabelle Racine, 16, spends her free time crocheting and has reserved her spot in a Cosmetology academy to become a hair designer.
The appointed judges for the 2025 crowning of the queen included the 2007 Queen, Emily Leik, Molly Macleod, from the Reminder and Renee Sevenski from The County Journal. After the judges shared a table with the ladies during dinner, the festivities were moved upstairs where all family and friends gathered to watch each candidate answer the judges questions to be scored. Some of the questions included about syrup making, how they would represent Vermontville Michigan, and many more. As the judges were tallying up the scores, 2024 Queen Selena Bansemer shared a recap of parades and events that she represented. With the scores turned in and in no specific order Selena had crowned the court and the Queen, Madison Trowbridge. Here is a wonderful beginning to the 2025 Vermontville Syrup Festival. See you all in the last weekend of April.
