McKenzie Soper (left) was named the 2026 Vermontville Maple Syrup Queen this week. She will be joined by her Royal Court, consisting of fellow Maple Valley juniors Kiylee Kirby (center) and Aubree Roth (right). Photos by Molly Macleod
As producers begin preparing for this year’s harvest, a new Maple Syrup Queen has been crowned ahead of the annual Vermontville Maple Syrup Festival.
McKenzie Soper, a 16-year-old junior at Maple Valley Jr./Sr. High School, was crowned the 2026 Maple Syrup Queen this week on Tuesday, Feb. 10, during the Queen’s Night event at the First Congregational Church in Vermontville.
She and the other two contestants, all juniors in the Maple Valley Schools district, enjoyed a dinner and conversation with judges before heading upstairs into the church’s sanctuary for questioning.
Soper, as queen, will serve as the face of the festival and will represent the community at various parades and events throughout 2026. She will also help syrup producers tap trees inside Vermontville, as well as help usher in the many events of syrup season.
Soper will be joined by her Royal Court, consisting of fellow Maple Valley juniors Aubree Roth and Kiylee Kirby.
Last year’s Maple Syrup Queen, Madison Trowbridge (right), helps pass the torch to 2026 Maple Syrup Queen McKenzie Soper (left), tying her sash on Tuesday, Feb. 10.
The ladies were quizzed on basic maple syrup-making facts, such as how many gallons of water go into one gallon of maple syrup (40 gallons) and what maple cream is. They were also quizzed on the origins of the festival, now in its 85th year, what their favorite attractions are at syrup fest, plus, how living in a small community has its advantages.
“I came from a bigger school before I moved here, which was more difficult for me, personally, because not everyone was as welcoming as it is now (at Maple Valley). So coming into a smaller school and a smaller community makes it easier to feel welcomed and seen by so many different people,” Soper said.
She said her favorite part about the syrup festival is the love and joy that emanates from the annual event.
“I like the fact that there are so many people that gather around in one place. And the live music every year, and the fact that there’s just so much love and care going around in the world in one place,” Soper said.
Soper is a member of the Maple Valley track team and is a backstage crew member during Maple Valley theater productions. In her free time, Soper likes to draw, sing and help her mother with the farm. After high school, she hopes to attend college and teach third grade.
Soper and her court will take on their first official event next week at the Thursday, Feb. 19, Sugaring Off Potluck, slated for 6:30 p.m. at the Vermontville First Congregational Church.