By: Nora Carroll

Kourtney Jones, a West Virginia Wesleyan College student, is making an impact far beyond campus. Jones was recently crowned the West Virginia Association of Fairs and Festivals (WVAFF)  Queen.

The WVAFF Queen serves as an ambassador for West Virginia’s traditions, communities, and agricultural heritage. Jones will be traveling across the state to assist in promotions for local fairs and events. For Jones, this role is the ultimate blend of leadership, service, and a deep connection to her home state. 

“Being crowned WVAFF Queen truly means the world to me. I have worked toward this title for quite some time, so earning it while representing the Strawberry Festival and Buckhannon is incredibly special,” Kourtney Jones says, “My family has deep ties to this area and to the festival itself, so it’s very meaningful to carry on that connection. I’m honored and excited to represent something that means so much to my family, our community, and our state.”

According to WVAFF, the Queen serves not only as a representative, but also as a role model for young women across the state. 

Jones is currently a student at WVWC, where she studies nursing and is Philanthropy Vice President of Alpha Xi Delta. On top of that, she is also an EMT in Buckhannon. So, balancing coursework, campus involvement, work, and travel is no small task, but Jones embraces the challenge. 

“Balancing everything will definitely require strong time management, but that’s something I’ve already been working on as a nursing student. I’m very fortunate to have a supportive team around me who help keep me organized and on track,” Jones explains, “This opportunity will also continue to teach me how to juggle multiple responsibilities at once, and I’m excited to grow through that while representing our state.”

Despite her busy schedule, she has strong support from the WVWC community to keep her going. “The WVWC community has been incredibly supportive throughout this experience. My nursing professors have been so understanding and willing to work with me whenever I’ve had to travel or miss class. My friends always help keep me updated on anything I’ve missed, and my sorority sisters have been some of my biggest encouragers. Having that kind of support system makes it so much easier to pursue opportunities like this,” Jones states.

As her reign continues, Jones hopes to inspire others to get involved in their communities and embrace West Virginia’s traditions. Her role highlights how WVWC students continue to represent the college and the Buckhannon community across the state.

Photo provided by: Kourtney Jones from a WVAFF Photographer