2024 MAIFEST SERENADE

  

Although inclement weather forced the relocation of this year’s Maifest Serenade, a warm auditorium greeted those gathered for the event Sunday at the Barnhill Center.

Serving as this year’s Junior Royalty are Caroline Adele Kenjura and Tyler Henry Hopkins.  They will be reigning over the court of “Up, Up, and Away: Across the USA.” Caroline is the daughter of Catherine and Matt Kenjura, and Tyler is the son of Liz and Mike Hopkins, Jr.

Serving as this year’s Senior Royalty are Ashley Ribbon Jones and Lucas Cash Flynn.  They will be reigning over the court of “Viva Las Maifest”. Ribbon is the daughter of Betsy Jones and Cutter Jones and Lucas is the son of Amy and Michael Flynn.

The Press Release from the Maifest Association

Junior Royalty

Caroline Adele Kenjura, at eight years old, proudly assumes the title of this year's Junior Maifest Queen. The daughter of Catherine and Matt Kenjura, Caroline embarked on her Maifest journey at the age of two and has joyfully participated each subsequent year. Expressing her excitement and honor at being chosen as the Junior Queen for this year, Caroline is a third grade student at Alton Elementary, an altar server at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and a dedicated participant in Brownie Troop 32101.  Caroline's interests are as diverse as they are delightful; she enjoys art, drawing, writing colorful notes, playing with friends, swimming, gymnastics, snow skiing, and exploring new destinations with her family. The past summer saw her creating cherished memories in the Wren cabin at Camp Longhorn. Maifest holds a special place in Caroline's heart, being a cherished tradition in her family. Her brothers, Charlie and John Kenjura, held the titles of Jr. King in 2018 and 2021, respectively. The lineage of Maifest royalty extends further, with her aunt Kathryn Hall as a Sr. Queen in 1995, her great uncle Dr. Paul F. LaRoche, III, as the Senior King in 1970, her aunt, Carrie Richardson, was a Junior Queen in 1986, her cousin, Emma Kate McIntyre, was a Junior Queen in 2015, her cousin, Rocky LaRoche, the Junior King in 1999, and her great-great aunt Elvera Dallmeyer Muery, in 1938. Additionally, cousins Ella Buchanan Lossow, Jennifer Simms Hinnant, Greg Simms, Cassandra Utesch Ehlert, and Karen Utesch Boardmann were also Maifest royalty.  Her great-great grandfather, C.D. Dallmeyer, was inducted into the Maifest Hall of Fame in 1987.

She is the granddaughter of Linda and Darrell Blum, Marilyn and Atwood Kenjura, and Cynthia and Ray Robinson. She is the great granddaughter of the former Ruth and Paul LaRoche, Annadell and Raymond Blum, Alma and Charlie Kenjura, and Adele and Connie Goeth.

In the upcoming 2024 Junior Maifest themed "Up, Up, and Away: Across the USA," Caroline will reign alongside King Tyler Hopkins, adding another chapter to her family's enduring legacy in the Maifest celebration.

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Tyler Henry Hopkins has joyfully carried on the family tradition of Maifest participation, and is honored to serve as this year’s Junior Maifest King. A highly active ten year old, Tyler is the son of Liz and Mike Hopkins, Jr. and the older brother of Travis Michael Hopkins (8).

He officially started this high flying annual Maifest adventure at the age of 3 as a train conductor all aboard “A Ticket to Ride”. Over the past 7 years, he has battled Outlaws and Ghosts, as well as climbed Bean Stalks and been a Moose, while learning to play in a Mariachi Band.  

Currently a 4^th grader at Brenham Elementary School and a member of First United Methodist Church of Brenham, he can normally be found outside with his neighborhood friends on scooters and bikes or dashing across soccer fields and baseball diamonds, playing his two favorite sports. Should bad weather send him inside, he will be meticulously setting up his baseball card collection to make the next great trade with his school friends. Never afraid to quickly pack and head out on an adventure, he loves to snow ski through trees and terrain parks and will be headed back to Camp Longhorn for his 3^rd summer as a 4^th term camper at Indian Springs. He shares these mutual memories with his Dad, who was also a camper at Camp Longhorn and was the Senior Maifest King in 2000. 

He is the grandson of Tom Davis, and the late Nina & Mike Hopkins Sr., and the late Libby Davis. He is the nephew of Holly Hopkins and cousin to Blake Richardson. He is also the nephew to Thomas Davis and his wife Jessica Michan and cousin to Liam and Max Davis.

The 2024 Junior Maifest is themed "Up, Up, & Away," where Tyler will reign alongside Queen Caroline Kenjura, soaring to new heights with their friends and family. Never afraid to overcome an obstacle with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye, King Tyler will see you at Maifest!

Senior Royalty

Ashley Ribbon Jones is the 134th Senior Maifest Queen. “Ribbon” was born and raised in Brenham, Texas where she lives on the Wichita Ranch. Her parents are Betsy Jones and Cutter Jones. She attended St. Paul’s Christian Day School through 6th grade and then transitioned to Brenham Junior High and High School. Her first Maifest that she attended was in 2014. She was honored to be part of several Maifest Royal Courts including in 2019, 2022, and 2023. In 2022, her brother Blake Jones, served as the 132nd Senior Maifest King.

 Ribbon is 17 years old and a senior at BHS. She will be attending TCU in the fall, where her brother currently attends. Ribbon has been a cheerleader since 7th grade and is currently a Varsity cheerleader and co-captain of her cheer squad. 

 She has been an active member in FFA, Bluebonnet 4H Club, and the Washington County Fair where she has earned champion and reserve champion multiple times with her fair colt. Ribbon also had the honor of being your 154th Washington County Fair Queen. 

Ribbon has been a member of the National Honor Society since her junior year. She is also an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. 

When she is not cheering under the Friday night lights, Ribbon can be found at her family’s ranch along the Rio Grande where she loves to hunt whitetails and guide hunts.          

Ribbon is honored to have been chosen as the 2024 Senior Maifest Queen and excited to reign over the Court of Viva Las Maifest alongside her forever cool friend, King Lucas Flynn.

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The 134th Senior Brenham Maifest King is Lucas Cash Flynn. He is the eighteen-year-old son of Amy and Michael Flynn and a senior at Brenham High School. 

Lucas is a member of St. John Lutheran Church of Prairie Hill. He is also a member of Brenham FFA and has participated in numerous Washington County Fairs over the years, representing Sandy Hill 4-H Club. 

King Lucas is proud not only to carry on the community tradition of Maifest, but a family tradition as well. He is honored to be the fourth family member to be selected as Senior Maifest Royalty. His Uncle Joe Garnett was the 1978 Senior Maifest King and his cousins, Tatum Westerfeld Lackey and Gracie Westerfeld, were Senior Maifest Queens in 2013 and 2017 respectively.

Lucas is honored to be chosen as the 2024 Senior Maifest King and he’s excited to reign over the Court of Viva Las Maifest alongside his lifelong friend, Queen Ribbon Jones.