Sam Hamilton

By Alexis West 2024 Highland County Fair Queen As my time as 2024 Highland County Fair queen comes to a close it is time to reflect on the experiences I have had, the people I have met, and the endless memories I have made. During the year, I have had the opportunity to travel to many fairs, the Ohio Fair Manager Association conference (OFMA), and events held by fellow fair queens.

Being in the middle of healing can feel like drowning in truth. But what if that’s not a mistake? There are days I feel like I don’t belong anywhere. Not in the rooms I walk into. Not even in my own body. And I’ve spent years trying to figure out where that feeling comes from, or how to fix it, or how to finally be “enough” so it stops showing up. But lately, I’ve been paying attention to the quieter days — the ones where I still feel it, but it doesn’t grip me.

Why Letting Go Doesn’t Always Mean Forgiving They say forgiveness is the key to healing. That it sets you free. That you can’t truly move on without it. I used to believe that. Or at least, I tried to. As someone who’s survived abuse, I’ve spent years untangling myself from the wreckage someone else left behind. And all along, this word has lingered: forgive. But every time I hear it, something in me recoils. Because what does it really mean to forgive someone who’s never apologized?