Sophia Sellers enjoyed serving as 2024 junior queen

Cy Young Days Festival Junior Queen Sophia Sellers, 11, of Coshocton said she enjoyed representing the festival and the village of Newcomerstown at events throughout the year. It is her second year as a member of the court.

Feeling connected is an important part of being on the court.

“I like getting to help the community and getting to be a part of stuff,” Sellers said.

One of her favorite activities was helping with a breakfast for veterans in Coshocton.

In addition to helping others, she has helped herself. Her public speaking skills have improved from her participation in the court. She likes to tell people about the festival.

“It’s a really cool place,” Sellers said, adding she enjoys telling others the festival is a good place to learn about the history of baseball and how the rules have changed over the years.

History is one of her favorite subjects in school, as well as English/language arts. She enjoys drawing and writing as a hobby. She also wrote a speech as part of her participation in the Cy Young Days Festival court.

Sellers enjoys the simpler things in life, like hanging out with others in the royal court. She recalled a fun time she had with Arianna Parks, mini queen second attendant, while waiting for a parade to start when they enjoyed posing for photos together.

“I like hanging out with my friends and walking down by the pond by my house or just sitting outside and watching the sunset,” Sellers said.

In her future she’s thinking of several careers including being a teacher, a professional dancer or professional softball player.

Sellers recently completed the sixth grade at River View Intermediate School and is the daughter of Josie Sellers and the late Eric Sellers. She has a younger sister, Sawyer Sellers.

Sellers enjoys serving on the court with the other members. She said she’s learned what is important while being a member of the court.

“Don’t be afraid to speak up if you have something you want to share with people,” Sellers said.

Two favorite festivals she has visited are the Canal Days Apple Butter Festival and the Blueberry Festival. All the members of the court collect decorative buttons to add to their sashes at each festival they visit.

Sellers is a member of the Coshocton Christian Tabernacle Church. Being involved in activities keeps her busy. She is involved in Ms. Jennifer’s Elite Dance Team, River View softball, sixth grade choir, Kids America indoor soccer and 4-H. She also enjoys horseback riding.

She has shown chickens at the Coshocton County Fair and placed in the top 10. Her chickens sold for $700. Sellers would like to show a goat for the next fair.

Sellers had some good advice for others, no matter what the dream.

“If you have a goal, don’t hold yourself back from doing it and don’t let others stop you,” Sellers said.

Royalty coordinator Jen Lindig feels Sellers has been a good fit on the court.

“She’s very active, and she does really well when she travels,” Lindig said. “She’s done a good job.”

Information on how to apply for the royal court contest is available at www.cyyoungdaysfestival.com. The deadline for the royalty applications is June 3 at the informational meeting at 5 p.m. at the Olde Main Street Museum, 213 W. Canal St., Newcomerstown.