The Laurel Festival is an experience I will never forget. I first entered because my mother told me it would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. At the Laurel Tea Party I was given a list of sponsors to choose from. After scanning the list, I knew immediately I wanted the Highland Lake Watershed Association to sponsor me because they always use a boat in the parade, and I definitely wanted to be on that boat.
I first met with the HLWA at a Laurel Festival planning meeting. Donald and Pat Masucci had so graciously opened their home to me and my family. When I arrived, I was instantly welcomed and immediately knew these were special people and I was so blessed to have the honor of being their candidate. Everyone was so enthusiastic, creative and helpful. I always knew the HLWA had put a float in the parade, but I never could have imagined how much effort they put into it. I was shocked to hear they had yet to have a candidate win. On our way home from the meeting, I told my parents I wanted to win the crown, not for myself, but because these wonderful individuals deserved it. After a few more meetings, the HLWA became an extended family to me.
The first night of the festival was the sidewalk café at the Knight’s of Columbus Hall. My own family couldn’t be there, but my “Highland Lake family” was there in numbers. It was our first introduction to the public and I was nervous, but I had my new family cheering me on so much, the Laurel Commission members commented on how loud they were. The night only grew better, and eventually the HLWA and I ended up dancing to our theme song, “We Are Family.”
The next day was my interview - I was very nervous but I just remembered some of the pointers the HLWA shared with me at one of our last meetings. Rose Molinelli had told me to remember to keep eye contact with them at all times, no matter what, which I managed to do even as they fired some difficult questions at me. After the interview, I joined my family as Donald and Pat Masucci and Dick and Jean Labich opened their homes and yards for some laurel picking.
When we had enough laurel, we left to get prepared for the ball that night. I was so happy and excited to see not only my family at the ball, but also my new HLWA family. It meant a lot to me to show they cared enough to give up their Saturday night and come to the ball to support me. After dancing the night away (and once again to our theme song), we called it a night because the parade was the next day and the float needed to be decorated the next morning.
At the parade lineup, I was shocked to see the float. It was so beautifully decorated, and you could see how much effort and care had been put into it. The Association even went so far as to create a laurel crown for me to wear. With Donald behind the wheel, the parade began. Before we knew it, we had reached the park and, of course, our fan club. On the sidewalk, the HLWA members were there cheering loudly and adding to the excitement and fun.
It was just about time for the coronation of the new queen, but I wasn’t thinking about that. Instead, I was hoping the HLWA won for best float. When the awards were announced, I was elated to hear we had won for best float. After all, the hard work and time everyone had put in had paid off.
When it was time to announce the queen, the park had grown silent. As the commissioner opened the envelope, she announced it was candidate number sixteen. At the time it didn’t occur to me to remember my number, and instead I was wondering why my younger brother was yelling so loudly in the crowd. It wasn’t until after she announced my name that I realized I had won.
At first I wasn’t sure what to do. Then I realized I should accept my crown. The entire experience was very surreal. As soon as I was crowned, I was joined by Pat Masucci, who had become my honorary grandmother. Although it was a great honor to be crowned Laurel Queen, I was just as honored when Pat invited me to join the HLWA on behalf of all the other members. I was even more honored when she asked me if I would like to lead the annual boat parade in July. Mike and Sue Peacock had kindly offered their boat for this parade, just as Fran and Meg Delaney had offered their boat for the Laurel Parade. The Peacocks were excellent hosts, and it was the highlight of my summer to tour the lake with them, the Labichs and my family.
I would like to thank the entire HLWA for all their support during the festival, the Delaneys and Peacocks for the use of their boats, the HLWA Laurel Festival planning committee who decorated the boat, and the Labichs and Massucis for welcoming me into the HLWA, their homes, and their hearts. I was very blessed to be crowned Laurel Queen; however, I was more blessed to gain a second family.
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