North Carolina Apple Festival announces 2022 Apple Ambassador

The North Carolina Apple Festival, Inc. has announced its Apple Ambassador for 2022. The Apple Ambassador represents the festival and at other events across the state. Each year, the festival selects its ambassador from local rising high school seniors. 

The 2022 Apple Ambassador is Payton Margaret Snider, who is a rising senior at West Henderson High School. Her parents are Darby and Cassie Snider. She will be awarded a $2,000 college scholarship, according to a news release from the Apple Festival.  

The runner-up is Hayden Marie Thompson, who is a rising senior at Hendersonville High School. Her parents are Autumn and David Thompson. She will be awarded a $1,000 college scholarship. 

Director resigns:NC Apple Festival executive director resigns over Juneteenth Facebook post

Students are required to submit their transcripts, list of activities, provide letters of recommendation and write an essay on the Apple Festival and the importance of the apple industry to this area. The Apple Ambassador is selected based on this information and through an interview process. 

The Apple Ambassador and runner-up are awarded the Evelyn Lutz Hill Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship honors Hill, who served as the Secretary of the North Carolina Apple Growers for many years. She was serving as the President of the North Carolina Apple Festival, when she passed away in 2004. 

The Apple Festival will be held Sept. 2-5 in downtown Hendersonville.