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Northland teen lands fun job
By Carrie Alexander
Dressed in all orange, toting fairy dust, a welcoming smile and a magic wand, Morgan Naylor of Kearney resembles a princess who can be found at theme parks hundreds of miles away. But Naylor didn’t land a job at a theme park; instead she spends her weekends bringing smiles to the faces of kids at nearby Carolyn’s pumpkin patch in Liberty.
“It’s so much fun that you can barely call it a job,” Naylor said. “I love being around kids, and what better way to spend your day than being cherished by everyone around you.”
Naylor, 16, demonstrates a good deal of maturity for her age. With aspirations of becoming a teacher, the Kearney High School junior is on the honor roll and a volunteer in an after-school cadetting program at Dogwood Elementary. It was her impressive resume, according to her boss, that got her the job.
“We don’t just hire anyone for the role of pumpkin princess,” said Gieselle Fest, pumpkin patch site director. “Morgan definitely has a sparkle about her, but we were impressed that she is the eldest of nine and that she’s a positive role model. We liked that she’s a good student and genuinely cares about others.”
Fest said since the business is a family-owned and -operated business, the fact that Naylor took such value in her family was just the icing on the cake.
“The way she talked about her family — her brothers and sisters — sent the message that they were important to her,” Fest said. “Being a family business, we place a lot of value on our own families and Morgan just seemed to fit in perfectly around here.”
A typical day at work for Naylor includes reading stories to children, attending the royal pig races, taking pictures with adoring fans and interacting with the visitors. Her general task is to act as a good will ambassador, friendly greeting guests and when asked, granting pumpkin wishes.
“The pumpkin princess is someone who is there solely to make the kids happy,” Naylor said. “I entertain and give out stickers and candy. It’s really exciting to be that person who makes their faces light up.”
Fest said that the patch’s guests have given a lot of positive feedback on the pumpkin princess and that Naylor brings personality to the role that hasn’t been seen before.
“When kids see her, their faces light up,” Fest said. “She has this connection with them that not just any person can make. She takes the time to listen to them and be a friend, and parents like it just as much as the kids do.”
Overall, Naylor said that she was the lucky one when it came to her job.
“I wanted the job because it wasn’t just an opportunity to make money but to have fun while doing it,” Naylor said. “It’s a good feeling, almost a sense of accomplishment, to be the person that brings a smile to the faces of all these kids. Plus, I get to meet lots of new people and enjoy coming to work; not everyone can say that.”
Staff writer Carrie Alexander can be reached at 628-6010 or carriealexander@npgco.com.
The Pumpkin Princess can be seen on weekends at Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch in Liberty. For more information, visit www.carolynscountrycousins.com.
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“It’s so much fun that you can barely call it a job,” Naylor said. “I love being around kids, and what better way to spend your day than being cherished by everyone around you.”
Naylor, 16, demonstrates a good deal of maturity for her age. With aspirations of becoming a teacher, the Kearney High School junior is on the honor roll and a volunteer in an after-school cadetting program at Dogwood Elementary. It was her impressive resume, according to her boss, that got her the job.
“We don’t just hire anyone for the role of pumpkin princess,” said Gieselle Fest, pumpkin patch site director. “Morgan definitely has a sparkle about her, but we were impressed that she is the eldest of nine and that she’s a positive role model. We liked that she’s a good student and genuinely cares about others.”
Fest said since the business is a family-owned and -operated business, the fact that Naylor took such value in her family was just the icing on the cake.
“The way she talked about her family — her brothers and sisters — sent the message that they were important to her,” Fest said. “Being a family business, we place a lot of value on our own families and Morgan just seemed to fit in perfectly around here.”
A typical day at work for Naylor includes reading stories to children, attending the royal pig races, taking pictures with adoring fans and interacting with the visitors. Her general task is to act as a good will ambassador, friendly greeting guests and when asked, granting pumpkin wishes.
“The pumpkin princess is someone who is there solely to make the kids happy,” Naylor said. “I entertain and give out stickers and candy. It’s really exciting to be that person who makes their faces light up.”
Fest said that the patch’s guests have given a lot of positive feedback on the pumpkin princess and that Naylor brings personality to the role that hasn’t been seen before.
“When kids see her, their faces light up,” Fest said. “She has this connection with them that not just any person can make. She takes the time to listen to them and be a friend, and parents like it just as much as the kids do.”
Overall, Naylor said that she was the lucky one when it came to her job.
“I wanted the job because it wasn’t just an opportunity to make money but to have fun while doing it,” Naylor said. “It’s a good feeling, almost a sense of accomplishment, to be the person that brings a smile to the faces of all these kids. Plus, I get to meet lots of new people and enjoy coming to work; not everyone can say that.”
Staff writer Carrie Alexander can be reached at 628-6010 or carriealexander@npgco.com.
The Pumpkin Princess can be seen on weekends at Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch in Liberty. For more information, visit www.carolynscountrycousins.com.