Morehead State University is proud to announce Emma Grace Laney of Ashland as its candidate for Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival Queen at the upcoming festival.
Laney is the daughter of Lonnie and Anita Laney and is a junior biological sciences major. During her time at MSU, she has held leadership roles, demonstrated strong academic performance, and participated in service activities in support of the University and student organizations.
She is a member of the Epsilon Theta Chapter of Chi Omega fraternity, and serves as a foundation ambassador, focused on promoting scholarship and philanthropy within the chapter. She is also a member of the George M. Luckey Honors Program and previously served as the first-year student representative on the Honors Program Committee.
Her campus involvement extends into faith-based and outreach leadership. She is on the Baptist Campus Ministry (BCM) Leadership Team, where she serves as outreach coordinator, helping connect students to service and spiritual growth opportunities.
Laney is also a graduate of the Craft Academy for Excellence in Science & Mathematics at MSU. There, she held multiple leadership roles, including class vice president, Beta Club president, student ambassador, and was a member of the Hazel Green Academy Revitalization Special Project leadership team.
“To me, ambassadorship is centered on being a proud promoter and spokesperson for the organization you are part of,” Laney said. “Because I am so involved on campus, I have become comfortable advocating for the organizations I am part of. Whether it is through promoting Chi Omega, the Baptist Campus Ministry, the George M. Luckey Honors Program, or the Craft Academy, I have gotten accustomed to serving the Morehead campus over the past two-and-a-half years.”
Laney shared that being selected as a queen candidate represents a meaningful opportunity to broaden her impact.
“Being chosen to serve as an ambassador for the University is a wonderful experience. An opportunity such as this comes once in a lifetime, and I am delighted to be a KMLF participant,” she said. “It is thrilling to expand my circle of incredible women to include other young ladies across the state whom I might not otherwise meet.”
She will be escorted during festival events by Jeremiah Davis of West Liberty, son of Brent and Angela Davis.
The Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival, held annually since 1931 and known as the “Crown Jewel of the Mountains,” celebrates scholarship, service, and leadership among Kentucky’s collegiate women. Colleges and universities from across Kentucky select one representative to participate in the pageant, which is held annually over Memorial Day weekend.
The Mountain Laurel Queen will be announced on Saturday, May 23, at Pine Mountain State Resort Park. Past Mountain Laurel Queens from MSU include Jamie Nicole Blair (Class of 2003, 2004), Sharon Lue Goldsberry (Class of 1977) in 1975, and Kelly Michele Holdren (Class of 1982, 1984) in 1982.
For more information about the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival, visit www.KMLF.org or call 606-337-6103.