By Jamie H. Vaught

Last May when Paige Smith of Barbourville was chosen as the 2023 queen of the prestigious Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival in Pineville, she was stunned. She couldn’t believe it.

“I was completely surprised to be honest,” Smith said recently. “I sincerely thought that there was no way the judges could pick me compared to all the other queen candidates (from other universities in the state). A lot of us became fast friends and I adored the other candidates. I think they could’ve chosen any of us and they would’ve done the job perfectly, but I was so honored that I was picked to be queen.”

Asked about her favorite KMLF memory, Smith said it was the Queen’s Grand Ball.  

“Once the (Queen’s) Coronation was over on Saturday afternoon, it was like everyone finally felt relieved,” she explained. “You could definitely sense the tension leaving the air at the Queen’s Ball. Everyone had so much fun, and I got to really talk and cut loose with all the other queen candidates.”

What about the most nerve-racking moment at KMLF?

“For me it was the introductions at the concert on Thursday night,” Smith commented. “I don’t have a fear of public speaking, but having to memorize your introduction while having to stand on a big stage with all kinds of lights pointed at you had me very nervous. I honestly don’t even remember what I said. I just remember thinking how much I wanted it over with. After I got that over with, a big relief was lifted off my shoulders.” 

Interestingly, Smith didn’t attend the festival when she was a child even though her home was less than 30 minutes away.

“I had actually never been to the KMLF festival until I was in high school,” Smith, who graduated from Barbourville High, earning Summa Cum Laude and Co-Valedictorian honors. “I went one time to the carnival when I was in high school with some friends, but that was all. I had never seen or attended any part of the princess or queen coronations. It definitely was a surprise to me to see what all goes into the pageant and the festival.”

While in high school, Smith was also an athlete, playing on tennis and volleyball teams.  A member of the National Honor Society, she was also active in student council, serving as vice president, as well as the Beta club, choir, among several other school activities.

Then she moved on to the University of Cumberlands as a pre-med major but that didn’t last long.

“I started working part time for my uncle and aunt, Rodney and Melinda Smith, who are nurse practitioners,” said Smith. “Working at their office made me realize I wanted to pursue a nursing degree. I love nursing because of how hands on it is and how involved you are with every aspect of patient care.

“So I transferred to Southeast (Kentucky Community and Technical College) to get my nursing degree. Before I could start nursing school, I had to get my CNA license, so I attended the Knox campus of Southeast last spring to take the class.”

As it turned out, Smith became Southeast Kentucky CTC’s first-ever representative to earn the title of KMLF queen last year. The college was “hosting the luncheon at the Knox campus to choose who would be the Southeast candidate for KMLF, and several of the staff members encouraged me to apply for it,” Smith added. “I didn’t have a clue about it, but decided to apply anyway, and here we are.

“I was completely honored to be chosen as the first KMLF queen from Southeast Community (and Technical College). I think it’s super important to have representation from all colleges in Kentucky, and especially important to have representation from community colleges. In our area specifically, Southeast is a wonderful opportunity for those who may not have the means to attend a college or an university. The fact I was able to represent them well and bring a positive outlook to Southeast meant a lot to me. I hope it brings other people solace to know that even though you are attending a community college, you still have so many great opportunities that can be afforded to you.”

She is scheduled to graduate from Southeast Kentucky CTC next May with a degree in nursing.

“I have loved every second of nursing school so far,” said Smith. “I plan to go back after I graduate and obtain my bachelor’s degree in nursing, and eventually obtain my nurse practitioner degree.”

With the 2024 KMLF beginning during the Memorial Day weekend, Smith is looking forward in coming back as the reigning queen.

“I am so excited to be back this year for the 93rd KMLF festival, and I can’t wait to see what beautiful girl will be crowned the next queen,” she said with a smile.

Jamie Vaught, a longtime sports columnist in Kentucky, is the author of six books about UK basketball, including recently-published “Forever Crazy About the Cats: An Improbable Journey of a Kentucky Sportswriter Overcoming Adversity." He is the editor and founder of KySportsStyle.com Magazine, and a professor at Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College in Middlesboro. You can follow him on Twitter @KySportsStyle or reach him via email at KySportsStyle@gmail.com.