KMLF Queen Gracie Conway Shares Passion for Helping Animals
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
By Jamie H. Vaught
KySportsStyle.com Magazine
The queen of the 2025 Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival loves spending time with animals. If given an opportunity, she will even think about picking up a helpless stray dog from the highway.
And Gracie Conway is even studying animals in college. A graduate of McCracken County High School in Paducah and Murray State University, Conway recently completed her first year at Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
“After this past year it is very evident that this is the (career) path for me,” said Conway, who will be participating in the 2026 KMLF in Pineville as the reigning queen during the Memorial Day weekend. “Like most kids, I grew up loving animals. Whether it was visiting the zoo or begging my mom to pick up the stray dog on the side of the road, animals have always had a special place in my heart.
“It wasn’t until I began working at a small animal clinic during my sophomore year of college that I truly found my passion for veterinary medicine. Being able to witness first-hand the emotional importance of animals in our lives and seeing the impact my veterinarian mentors have on their community is something that I hope to do as a DVM. I think veterinary medicine is truly the best of both worlds -- combining science and medicine with animals is just perfect.”
Growing up in the Paducah area, Conway got her first dog when she was three years old.
“He lived until I was 17,” she said. “He was by my side through so many big moments in my life. My family also has two cats (due to COVID boredom), and I now have a cat of my own, Juniper. She lives with me in Alabama (while in vet school) and is my world.”
Asked about her toughest class in her first year at veterinary school, Conway said, “I would say my most difficult class so far has been Veterinary Neurosciences. Studying the brain and the nervous system is truly mind-bending. It requires a new way of thinking and it challenged me.
“There are so many components of the brain alone that are complicated but expanding on that and understanding how the nervous system plays a role in every organ system added to the difficulty of this course. Although it was one of my hardest classes, I also found it to be one the most interesting.”
After spending her first year at Auburn, Conway will be staying home this summer and working at a local animal clinic.
“I will be working at Westside Veterinary Services and (I’m) going to put all my knowledge from this first year to the test,” she smiled.
While studying takes a lot of time, Conway understands “the importance of balancing school with spending time with friends and doing what I love. Working out and moving my body is one of my favorite things to do when I’m not studying. I have recently gotten into running and ran my first half marathon this past February. Auburn in Alabama is one of the most special towns and I love walking around the campus and exploring downtown with my vet school friends. I also love to paint and I’m excited to get back into that this summer with my free time.”
Conway also served as a high school cheerleader for two years. In addition, she spent a significant amount of time in competitive dance (leading up to her college years). “I did competitive dance for 13 years, traveling all over the country, competing in dance competitions and taking classes at dance conventions,” she said. “Dance was a huge part of my life.”
Conway also had a scholarship award of $20,000 when she was a graduating senior at McCracken County.
While at Murray State, she found a passion for leadership, serving as Student Government’s Homecoming Director for two years and as a member of Sororities Executive Council (Vice President of Recruitment and VP of Philanthropy). “My sorority raised over $60,000 to fighting hunger during our annual philanthropy event,” Conway said. “Murray State truly transformed me as a leader and gave me a confidence I never thought I could have.”
On her favorite KMLF memories last year when she was selected as the festival queen over 14 candidates from other Kentucky colleges and universities, Conway commented, “I’m not even sure where to begin when talking about last year at KMLF. Reflecting on that week, it is so hard to pick a time or event that was my favorite, because truth be told, KMLF was one of my favorite memories of 2025. Between spending early mornings and late nights at (host) Jennie Nolan’s house, practicing with the candidates and KMLF directors, and seeing the city of Pineville lined with all of its amazing people during the parade, there were so many memorable moments.
“One moment that was truly extraordinary was after I had been named the 2025 KMLF Queen. As “My Old Kentucky Home” played, I looked out into the cove and saw the faces of people that made my time at KMLF so special. This moment was unlike any other and one I will never forget.”
Conway also thanked the city of Pineville for the wonderful hospitality last year and she is looking forward to returning to the 2026 festival.
“The KMLF is a memory I will never forget and something I plan to be a part of for as long as I can. There are sincerely no words to express how much respect and appreciation I have for this town and what you all hold near and dear to your hearts. I’m extremely humbled to be your 2025 Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival Queen. I never imagined this community would mean so much to me but Pineville will always be a part of me. I am so very excited for this year's festival.”
It won’t be long before we start calling her Dr. Conway.
“I have about two more years left in the classroom and then I receive my white coat and will head to clinicals at the teaching hospital at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine,” she said. “I will graduate with my DVM in May of 2029. After this first year, I can tell it will be here in a flash.”
Jamie H. Vaught, a longtime sports columnist in Kentucky, is the author of seven books about UK basketball, including newly published “Unforgettable Journey with the Cats: Inside Kentucky Hoops Madness.” Now a retired college professor who taught at Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College in Middlesboro, he is the editor and founder of KySportsStyle.com Magazine. You can follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @KySportsStyle or reach him via email at KySportsStyle44@gmail.com.
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