First and foremost, I would like to thank God. Without Him I am nothing and would not be carrying the title of Miss Circleville Pumpkin Show Queen.

Next, I would like to thank my chaperone, Linda Ballou, for everything she has done for Aimee, Maggie and me. Dedicating almost every weekend to travel all over Ohio with three teenage girls is no easy task, but I know she would not have it any other way. So again, thanks, Linda, for everything you have done. I will miss spending every weekend with you.

Then, I would like to thank the Sunrise Rotary for sponsoring the queen's contest and all the local businesses for contributing such wonderful gifts after I was crowned. I am forever grateful for your generosity.

Next, to the Pumpkin Show committee, I give you all a well-deserved thanks. You made the 98th Pumpkin Show a great success and I was truly honored to represent such a fabulous festival.

My next thanks goes to my first attendant, Aimee Stickel, and my second attendant, Maggie Wright. Thank you both for making our year together so fun...and interesting. I am really going to miss traveling with you every weekend, waiting forever between luncheons and parade line - ups, and just having a lot of fun with you everywhere we went. I have really enjoyed getting to know the both of you and I hope you cherish the memories we made in all the years to come. Thanks girls!

I would especially like to thank my entire family for all of their love and support. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for all of your help and coming to the parades that you did not get lost trying to find. To Barb Gobel, thanks for teaching me all there is to know about being a good queen and always being there for me when I need you. I love you. Thanks to my sister, Nikki, and my brother, Jake, for camping out all day on that stage just to stand in front and cheer me all the way. I love you!

Last, but certainly not least, thanks to the entire student body at Circleville High School and especially the Senior Class of 2006! You made my dream come to life, calmed my every fear, lost your voices to cheer me on, and still support me today. I thank you and love you all dearly.

Also, I want to congratulate the new queen and court. Make your year together as fun as possible and cherish every memory that is made because your year will go by a whole lot faster than you think.

Samantha Vinkovich