16 • The Beacon October 17 , 2024

My name is Kenzie Roach , and I have had the pleasure of being your 2023 Coshocton Canal princess . I have enjoyed traveling our great state of Ohio representing Roscoe and Coshocton County .

I have attended over 60 events and traveled more than 5,000 miles this year . I have enjoyed getting to know my court this year . We have done some fun events in the community like going to Rust Décor for painting , sock hop at Windsorwood Place , learning how to sew a canal skirt , bowling and a movie at Shelby Theater .

We have not only grown physically this year but have gained confidence and communication skills . It was so much fun being royalty through our very own Madison Miller reign as Miss Ohio and cheering her on for Miss America .

It was so fun being part of the Miss Ohio parade in Massillon and meeting all the contestants and again having some hometown girls running for both Miss Ohio and Miss Ohio Teen .

I want to thank so many people who have helped me over the past several years , even when I did not think I could be on the court . I was very shy and did not have much confidence with speaking in front of people . Last year I was the first attendant , but I got the opportunity to be with a queen who helped me open up . Thank you Raina Kesterson .

I knew what I had to do , but only I was able to accomplish it . So I decided I was going to be the next princess . Little did I know I was going to have another queen as a great role model and get even more community involvement . Thank

Submitted Kenzie Roach is your 2023 Coshocton Canal princess .

you Bri Fink for being a wonderful role model and the best travel buddy .

A special thanks to all the individuals and community businesses that helped support our court through donations or purchasing fundraiser items . With your support you are giving to a deserving cause for young girls in our community like myself to not only travel our great state and tell everyone about our small community and what it has to offer , but also to get a girl like me to gain leadership and communication skills that will continue through the rest of my life . I also would like to thank our Director Amanda Meiser and all the board members of the Canal Court for their dedication to this program and always continuing to push me to go another year .

To my parents , especially my mom , who spent the better of two years traveling all over the state of Ohio — thank you !

Lastly but most importantly , I want to thank a very special woman in my life I call my “ fairy godmother .” Every princess should have a fairy godmother , and mine was Cheryl Matchett . She always made sure I had the most beautiful dresses , no matter what kind of pattern I would throw at her . She helped guide me in making my very own dress for competition last year and always made sure I looked my best .

From the bottom of my heart , I have truly enjoyed being your 2023 Coshocton Canal princess , and I hope I have represented our community well . It has been a wild , crazy and fun year , and I cannot wait to crown the next canal princess in a few weeks , and I hope she enjoys every minute as it goes by so fast . Please come join us for the 53rd annual Apple Butter Stirrin ’ Festival Oct . 18-20 . So for now I will forever and always be your 2023 Coshocton Canal Days Princess Kenzie Roach . Kenzie Roach

Canal princess