The reigning queen

  • By Patricia M. Albrecht
  • August 26, 2010
  • 280
                        
The reign of a queen By Patricia M. Albrecht As Labor Day weekend approaches, Killbuck’s Early American Days queen looks back fondly on the past year as she prepares to hand over her crown to those vying for a chance to succeed her. Nineteen year old Samantha Blizzard of Clark won the pageant last year. It was her first time running for the queen title. “When I was younger,” said Blizzard, “I ran for princess in the Early American Days Festival and the Holmes County Antique Festival. I was the first attendant princess in the Early American Days and second attendant in the Holmes County Festival.” Beginning in 1969, Killbuck’s Early American Days Festival originally helped with flood relief for the creek. Now in its 40th year, the festival is a celebration to Holmes County residents and visitors to the area. Hoping to give back to the community, Blizzard’s reign made a lasting impact on herself as well as many others. “It’s been an honor to represent Killbuck,” said Blizzard. The Early American Days queen has been to 50 different festivals and events, visited several nursing homes, helped with the library benefit in Killbuck, and donated wigs for the Hair for Hope benefit. “I visited Majora Lane Care Center in Millersburg many times,” said Blizzard. “Two of my grandmothers are in the home, so I was able to see them as well as the other residents.” Car shows to benefit alzheimers was another event important to Blizzard. “It meant a lot to me to support this benefit,” she said, “because my grandmother suffers from alzheimers.” Samantha’s mom, Vicki Blizzard, commented on her daughter’s year as queen. “It has been a phenomenal year for Samantha. She met Zack Space and so many other influential people. This has been an amazing experience for her. She is so community orientated. If people got paid visiting the elderly in nursing homes, that would be Samantha’s ideal job.” All of her early American attire that she has worn during her reign has been made especially for her by her grandmother Bonnie Weaver. Blizzard was homeschooled throughout all her years of elementary and high school and graduated in May 2009. She took the year off after graduation to devote her time to her queen duties and travel. She is a certified amateur athletic coach and plans to travel throughout the United States with her brother in his martial arts career. Beau, age 13, is a national martial arts champion, winning the silver at the nationals last year, and recently got back from the Virginia AAU Junior Olympics where he won a double bronze. “He also travels on the floats with Samantha,” said Vicki Blizzard, “supporting her queen title and representing Killbuck.” In addition to reigning as Killbuck’s Early American Days queen, Blizzard’s hobbies include ATV racing and mud runs. “I am very proud to have served Killbuck,” said Blizzard, “and the many wonderful people that live in the village. I have made many lasting friendships with people throughout Ohio.”


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