Joanne Williams
Editor

(Courtesy photo – The late Michelle Trowbridge (top left) is shown with the 1983 Fesitval court, next to Katerina Brumm and (bottom from left) Trixie Robinson (alternate) Queen Amy Cole, and Julie Villanueva.) 

As with any small town, names and family histories are well known and honorably shared. Houses are identified by former resident’s names. Buildings, the same.

Vermontville is no different. And now, there is more history being shared. This year’s Vermontville Syrup Festival Queen and Court are the first to receive the Michelle Trowbridge Memorial Scholarship.

Michelle was on the 1983 Court. She died two years ago, in February, at age 57.

Like many young women in Vermontville, she admired the courts past and present and dreamed perhaps that one day she would be “up there,” and she was.

Last year, her niece Madison Trowbridge was crowned queen.

“Michelle talked about it all the time. She was proud to be on the court,” said sister-in-law Debra Trowbridge. When Aunt Michelle passed away, it was Madison’s goal to be on the court. She did that and more.

“She had no idea she would be queen,” Debra said. “We could feel her pride.”

So much so, that late Michelle’s brother, Michael, suggested establishing the scholarship, which was also retroactive to last year’s court as well.

“We’d like the court tradition to grow,” Debra said. “Being able to represent your community…we want that feeling to continue to the 300th anniversary.” 

This is the 85th year of the festival. This year’s court includes Queen McKenzie Soper and Aubree Roth and Kiylee Kirby. Debra remembers a time when there were five or six women who made it to the court. 

She said she and her husband wanted the women to “feel appreciated” for their efforts. Court members must be juniors at Maple Valley High School, actually tap tree sap at some time in their reign, and represent the festival at other festivals and parades. That means some time, talent and treasure being shared by the court throughout the year.

The Trowbridges made the announcement and presentation of the scholarship at this year’s crowning, held February 10.

The 1983 Court included Michelle, Trixie Robinson, Queen Amy Cole, Katerina Brumm and Julie Villanueva. 

Photos of past courts are featured on the festival page, syrupfest.org.